Our church is doing a twelve-week sermon series through the book of Judges called: "Flawed Heroes." We are studying the Old Testament book for a couple reasons. One is that Judges is a book of flawed heroes and none of us are perfect. The book reminds us that God is the divine hero of the story. Judges is a period of transition for Israel, a transition from God as their leader to a monarchy. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.
Small Group Questions ::: Samson ::: Judges 15-16
The second part of Samson’s life leaves little hope for Israel and their next deliver. Once again we see that Samson choose to be with women instead of being with the Lord. His selfish desires turned into vengeful wrath when he slays the Philistines. From there Samson goes into hiding and we read that Judah would rather live at peace with the world, and worship their idols, than be delivered for the holy purposes of God. Once Samson’s lust wins again and he finds himself in the arms of a greedy woman who has the potential for national fame. After revealing his secret, Samson is captured. It isn’t until Samson is unable to see that his heart truly turns to the Lord. Sometimes we have to loose our vision to find our Lord. Samson truly is a powerfully weak hero.
1) Many of our heroes are powerfully weak. Neal shared about his love for Superman as a young child. Superman was perfect in almost every way but his weakness was Kryptonite. Who is your favorite superhero and what is his/her weakness?
2) Samson had finally begun to deliver Israel from their enemies but Judah preferred the comfort of idol worship (Judges 15:9-13). Is there is something in your life that has become a comfort that hinders you from following the Lord?
3) Read Judges 15:14-20. Samson is gifted by the Spirit in a remarkable way, but he fails to grow in holiness (Romans 6:22, Ephesians 4:22-24). Read Galatians 5:22-23 what fruit of the Spirit do you long for as you grow in holiness?
4) Samson is a display of a powerful human being (read Judges 16:1-3). Share about a time where you saw the power of God at work. In addition, where do you long to see the power of God at work in your circumstances?
5) Samson enters into a relationship with a woman with opposite values that God’s people hold (read Judges 16:4-19). Share about a time in your life that someone pressured you into doing something you didn’t want to do. How’d it turn out?
6) Read Judges 6:20-30. It took Samson loosing his freedom and his eyes to turn his heart to the Lord. What do you notice about Samson’s character, his actions, and his tone in the final hours of his life? How has God changed him?
7) Contrast Samson and Jesus. Jesus prayed for God to forgive His enemies (Luke 23:34). Jesus stretched out His arms to save us (Mark 15:37-39). Jesus conquered the grave so we can have life (Matthew 28:1-10).
Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline this week
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