YEA Lesson Library
Chosen by God
About This Lesson
Using the story of Samson’s birth, this lesson relates how special children are to God.
Scriptures
Genesis 11:30
Genesis 16:1
Genesis 17:15-21
Judges 13:1-25
1 Samuel 1:2-20
Psalm 127:1-5
Proverbs 8:6-8
Luke 1:7
Luke 1:11-20
John 15:18-25
1 Peter 2:3-8
1 Peter 2:9
Words to Know
CHOSEN - to be picked, or selected, for a job or position
DEDICATED - set apart for a certain job or purpose
NAZARITE VOW - a promise to God to be dedicated to His purpose, during which time the person would not drink wine or strong drink, eat anything from a grape, or cut his or her hair
The Lesson
Mary was about to become a big sister. Her mother would have a new baby any day now. Mary was so excited! A baby to hold and watch grow! She could hardly wait! The whole family was very happy, excited, and eager to meet the new arrival. Just the night before, Mary's dad had read Psalm 127:3 to the family: "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.”
One day an Angel of God appeared to Manoah's wife, who had not been able to have children. The Angel told her that she was going to have a child, but she needed to be very careful not to drink any wine or fermented drink, or to eat anything unclean. Also, they should never cut the baby's hair because he would be devoted to God from birth. He was to be a Nazarite - which means dedicated to God or separated for God's purpose. This dedication would be for his whole life.
Manoah listened to his wife telling him what the angel had said. Then he prayed, "O Lord, please let the man from God come back to us again and give us more instructions about the child you are going to give us" (Judges 13:8 TLB). Manoah's wife was sitting in the field alone and the Angel once again came to her. She ran quickly to find Manoah and tell him the Angel had returned. She found him and they ran back to where the Angel was. Manoah asked if he was the same man who talked to his wife before. He said he was. So Manoah asked the Angel to give him special instructions on how to raise this child God was giving them.
Then Manoah wanted to prepare a young goat for the Angel. But the Angel said he would not eat the food. They should prepare a burnt offering and offer it to God. So Manoah prepared the goat and grain offering and offered it to God on a rock. Then, as they watched, a flame blazed up from the rock toward heaven, and the Angel ascended in the flame.
Then Manoah realized they had been talking with the Angel of the Lord. He was afraid that they would die. But his wife told him that the Lord would not kill them. He had accepted the offering and had told them about the child to be born.
When the baby was born, they named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him. You see, God had chosen Samson for a very special purpose. Samson would begin the fight against the Philistines, who had been oppressing Israel for 40 years.
The Bible has several examples of babies who were born under special circumstances. They were chosen by God to perform a special purpose. Hannah, Sarah, Rebekah, and Elizabeth were all unable to have children. God heard each of their prayers for a baby, and the babies born to them had an incredible effect on God's people. Hannah had Samuel, who was dedicated to God his whole life and led Israel until they demanded a physical king. Sarah had Isaac, who was the child of promise. Rebekah had Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Elizabeth had John the Baptist, whose job was to prepare the way for Jesus Christ's earthly ministry. John the Baptist would also serve God his whole life. All four men were major characters in the history of God's people. All four men began as babies whose mothers were told especially how incredible these men would be for God.
Every baby is special. Although the Bible tells of some miraculous births and some babies for whom God had a special purpose, every baby is a gift from Him. You are special and if you love God now, you are extra special to Him. With your parents' help, you can learn more about God and His ways. But more important, you can develop a relationship with God yourself. That's the goal. You don't just want to know about God. You want to know God. As you read your Bible and pray to Him, learn to choose God's way of living instead of your ways or the world's ways. In a sense, when you choose God, you are making a Nazarite vow: you are dedicating yourself to God for your whole life. You will stay away from things that are bad for you, mentally, physically, and spiritually. You will choose God's way and His will over your own. Choosing God's way gives you incredible strength (the Holy Spirit) to defeat your enemies when all is said and done — much like Samson's great strength against the Philistines.
And really, if you are seeking God's way, it is because He has already chosen you. John 15:19 (NIV) says, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." If God has chosen you to give His truth, His understanding, and His Son, you are indeed very special. You have been given the job of telling everyone about the love of Jesus Christ and the glory of God. That's pretty awesome.
Activity
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - Teaching Time: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 20 mins.
Activity (Teacher book): Sword Drill and Jigsaw Puzzle - Time: 20 mins.
Song: “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" - page 21 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Activity (Student book): Remarkable Women and Chosen Babies - Time: 15 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Remarkable Women and Chosen Babies
*Journal Jot: Samson
*Word Study: declare - exaggellō
*Just Toolin’ Around: Map It
*Did you Know? Who Were the Philistines?
*Stretch It Out: Jeopardy
*Music Notes: Revive Us Again
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for choosing me to serve You. Show me what You want me to do.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: John 15:18-25
Monday: 1 Peter 2:3-9
Tuesday: Psalm 127:1-5
Wednesday: Luke 1:11-17
Thursday: Luke 1:18-20
Friday: Judges 13:2-5
Saturday: Proverbs 8:6-8
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Relate the events leading up to Samson's birth (Judges 6).
2. Tell of several biblical examples of special babies.
3. State that every baby is a gift from God.
4. State that having a relationship with God is our goal.
5. Explain that having been chosen by God leads to a responsibility to witness.
Topics & Themes
Angel
Babies
Baptism
Children
Chosen
Elizabeth
Hannah
Isaac
Jacob
John the Baptist
Manoah’s wife
Prayers, answered
Rebekah
Samson
Samuel
Sarah
Zacharias (and Elizabeth)
Materials Needed
Bibles, YEA Students' and Teacher's books, pencils and pens, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, songbook, music player, CD or cassette, chalkboard and chalk, poster board jigsaw puzzles, markers and crayons, ziplock bags with the students' jigsaw puzzle pieces, prize
Preparation
This age group is old enough now to understand what baptism is and what function it plays in the life of a Christian. Although God may be starting to call these children, they are still children and usually are not ready to make this commitment to God. Nevertheless, 1 Corinthians 7:14 tells us that the children of believers are holy to God because of their parents. We don't want to hurry our children into a covenant relationship for which they are not ready, but we don't want to dissuade them when they are ready. There is fine line to walk, and it must be based on the individual. As they age and grow more independent, they become more and more accountable for their actions. Somewhere in the next few years, they will have reached the maturity, independence, and responsibility levels necessary for baptism. We must be careful never to tell them that they are not important to God, that He isn't calling them, or that they must wait until some magic age before they can accept Jesus as their Savior. Rather, they must grow up believing that God is calling them and that they will someday reach the point where they will be held accountable if they don't accept Jesus as their Savior.
How to Teach This Lesson
Open the class with prayer and begin the discussion.
Reading Judges 13 - Choose students to read through portions of this chapter. Include everyone.
Talking Points - A) Note that Samson's mother's name is never mentioned; however, the Angel came to her, not to Samson's father first. B) Discuss a Nazarite vow - the complete regulations for observing the vow are found in Numbers 6:1-21. Talk about how the spirit of a Nazarite vow applies today. C) Discuss the food prepared for the Angel. He refused to eat it, but directed Manoah to offer it to God. Then as the flame blazed up towards heaven, the Angel ascended in the flame and was not seen again. D) Talk about Manoah asking the Angel his name in verse 17, and the Angel's answer. Note that this word "Wonderful" is also found in Isaiah 9:6 where it applies to the One who would come as "Mighty God.” E) Note that when Manoah realized it was the Angel of God, he was sure they would die. Contrast his response with the logical statement from his wife.
Babies are special - Several biblical examples show God answering a woman's prayer to bear a child. Go through the Activity in the Students' book and talk about why each child was special.
1. Hannah, Samuel, 1 Samuel 1:2-20
2. Sarah, Isaac, Genesis 11:30, 16:1; 17:15-21
3. Rebekah, Jacob and Esau, Genesis 25:21
4. Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Luke 1:7, 11-17
5. Manoah's wife, Samson, Judges 13:3-5
You are special - Talk about what makes each person special to God today. When God chooses a person and reveals Himself to that person, that person must make a choice of whether to respond to God's call or not. If he or she responds to God's calling, then he or she enters into a special relationship with God. He turns over his life, his will, and everything he has to God's service. This would be a good time to have the students recite their memory verse. Look at what 1 Peter 2:9 says God's chosen people do.
Chosen - Talk about how you chose each student to read through Judges 13. You gave them a specific job to do. If the student loves God and wants to do His will, then it is very likely that God is calling that student. The next move is up to the student. Will he (or she) accept God's sovereignty? As we talked about in the last lesson, that kind of decision should be made with the help of parents, the pastor, or other godly adults. Tell them it is something they can, and should, be considering. Children are very special to God.
Review Questions
1. Why was Samson special to the Israelites?
2. How was Samson to be different his whole life?
3. What other babies were special gifts; i.e., his mother had been unable to bear children?
4. How does God look at every baby? (Hint: Psalm 127:3.)
5. What makes us even more special to God?
6. When God has chosen you, what are your responsibilities? (Hint: your memory verse.)
Teacher-Directed Activity
Do a Sword Drill using the Scriptures listed in the YEA books. Have students stand at attention in a line facing you with a closed Bible in their left hand. Say, "Draw swords." Students should bring their Bibles in front of them, supporting it with their right hand, with their left hand on top of it. Cite the Scripture reference, then say, "Charge." The first person to find the verse steps forward and reads it. Additional Scriptures to use are: 1 Corinthians 7:14: Matthew 22:14; Luke 10:42; John 15:19; Psalm 33:12; Proverbs 8:10. Give a prize to the person who finds the most Scriptures first. Continue working on your jigsaw puzzle, using the piece for Lesson Nine. On one side, write "Samson," on the other, write "chosen by God." Give the students their ziplock bags so they can continue with their jigsaw puzzle pieces too.
REACH Activity
Back to the Bible: Remarkable Women and Chosen Babies
Your student activity gives the scriptures that tell that Sarah was barren. But it doesn’t give the scripture which contains God’s promise that Sarah would have Isaac. That’s found in Genesis 17:15-21. Read this incredible promise, not just to Abraham, but also to Sarah!
Similarly, the scripture promising Hannah that she would have a baby is found in 1 Samuel 1:9-20. Read this incredible promise to Hannah and read her prayer of thanksgiving in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.
And, God’s promise to Elizabeth is found in Luke 1:13-17. Zechariah didn’t believe the promise from the angel Gabriel and was mute until John’s birth and christening. Read about this incredible story.
Then write a paragraph describing the promise God gave to them and what it means to YOU today. File this in your Bible notebook.
Journal Jot: Samson
Samson’s story is tragic. He had such potential. One commentary characterized him as physically strong, but morally weak. After you read the entire account of his life (Judges 13-16), write a summary of it and what you learn from his example.
Word Study: declare - exaggellō
The word translated “declare” in 1 Peter 2:9 is the Greek word which means “to tell out, declare abroad.” It comes from ex - meaning “out or from” and aggellō which means “to declare or tell.” (Source: Zodhiates’ NAS Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, 1990, G#1804) If you notice, there is a Greek word that just means “to tell or declare.” This one emphasizes spreading the news far and wide.
Write this word, its definition, and the scripture reference in your Bible notebook.
Just Toolin’ Around: Map It
Using a Bible map, find where the Philistines settled and where the five Philistine cities were located. Then find a map of where the various tribes of Israel were given their inheritance. Either place these two maps side by side in your notebook or put all of the information on the same map. Copy the map and put it in your Bible notebook.
Did you Know? Who Were the Philistines?
According to the NIV Archaeological Study Bible (2005, p. 370), the Philistines were sea people from the Aegean attempting to settle in Egypt. When Rameses III prevented them from taking Egypt, they retreated to Canaan. They seized one of the choicest spots of Canaan, the southwestern coast, which became known as Philistia. The five Philistine cities were Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Akron, and Gath. The Israelite tribe of Dan was most impacted by the invasion by the Philistines. Samson was from the tribe of Dan and was the last great judge which God sent to deliver His people from their oppressors.
Stretch It Out: Jeopardy
There’s lot of information in this lesson (and the previous eight lessons). Organize it into a jeopardy game that you can play with your family. Your categories might be Special Babies, Philistine Cities, Judges of Israel, Responsibilities of the Chosen, and Bible Heroes. Be sure to document the scripture references in case they challenge your judgment on their answers. Enjoy!
Music Notes: Revive Us Again
This hymn is on page 21 of the CEM Hymnal.
The text for this hymn was written by Scottish physician, William Paton Mackay. One day when he was making his rounds in the hospital, he witnessed the dying moments of an injured workman. He “was impressed with the man’s love for his Bible. To his shock, Mackay realized that it was his own Bible - the one his mother had given him and which he had sold years before - that had comforted the man in his dying hour. His name was still inscribed in his mother’s hand. ‘Sufficient to say,’ he later testified, ‘that the regained possession of my Bible was the cause of my conversion’.” He decided to pursue the ministry rather than medicine when he was 29 years old and became a Presbyterian minister. (Sources: Near to the Heart of God, Robert Morgan, 2010, May 13th and Amazing Grace, Kenneth Osbeck, 1990, pg. 306).
Based on Habakkuk 3:2, it is a fitting hymn for both the life of William Mackay and the Israelites, to whom prophet after prophet was sent, that they might eschew idolatry and turn back to serving God.
Sing this hymn. Then write a note in your Bible notebook, thanking God for His mercy in choosing us, saving us, and blessing us with His love.
Questions?
Write down any questions you have in your Bible notebook so that you can remember to ask your parents or your pastor.
Song
“Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" is on page 21 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead in prayer asking God to help each student to serve Him
wholeheartedly.
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