Unit 1 LESSON 7

October 19, 2025

Study Text: Judges 13:1-25; 16:1-31

                     Central Truth: Christians should be focused on fulfilling God's purpose.

KEY VERSE--Galatians 5:16 Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (KJV). 

Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

We all need extra strength sometimes--physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Today's lesson reminds us that  outward strength is not always a sign of inward health. A person canm appear strong on the outside while suffering from extreme spiritual weakness on the inside. Strength takes many forms. But we know that any kind of true strength comes from God. He sustains our physical bodies. He comforts us in times of emotional distress. He  fills us with the Holy Spirit so we can be lights in this dark world. When people hear the name Samson, they immediately picture someone with incredible strength. Yet Scripture repeatedly emphasizes Samson's weaknesses. God chose Samson to deliver Israel and blessed him with supernatural abilities, but he was a profoundly flawed person. His story teaches us a great deal about God's promises, human vulnerability, and our utter dependence on God for victory that lasts.

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PART 1- Born for God's Purpose

An Unlikely Son             Judges 13:1-5

For the final time in this book, Judges 13:1 records the familiar refrain: "Again the Israelites did evil in the LORD'S sight." The cycle of apostasy began again. This time, the Lord handed Israel over the Philistines, whose oppression of Israel lasted 40 years. In this case, Israel specific evil is not identified, but we know Israel's root problem of sin was almost always idolatry. Judges 13:2 describes how the angel of the Lord informed Manoah's wife that she would soon bear a son who would rescue Israel. Samson would be a miracle child from God, since she and her husband were unable to have children. Samson would practice the Nazarite vow from the time of his birth, and his mother was instructed to keep some parts of the vow during her pregnancy. People who took the vow abstained from fermented drinks or grapes in any form, did not cut or shave their hair, and avoided dead bodies. Samson was unusual in that he was a Nazirite by divine decree rather than by personal vow.

DISCUSS?  Many notable biblical figures were born miraculously to parents who had been otherwise unable to have children. Why do you think God so often used this situation to bring such people into the world?

A Deliverer from God                     Judges 13: 6-14

Manoah's wife rushed to tell him what had happened. The angel's message was clear: They would have a miraculous son who would be dedicated to God through a lifelong Nazirite vow (Judges 13:6-7). Manoah wanted more information about this promised son. The Lord answered his request, but once again, Manoah was absent when the angel appeared. When Manoah's wife found him and returned, the angel simply repeated what they already knew: Samson would be a lifelong Nazirite. In Judges 13 through 15, several references clarify how the Spirit of the Lord "began to stir" Samson (13:25) and then: "came powerfully" on him (14:6, 19; 15:19). The Spirit's presence in Samson's story adds to its complexity as we move toward the end of his life.

 Discuss?  What is the Spirits role in believers' lives today?

Part 2-- Enticed Away from God

                         Samson's Weakness            Judges 16:4-14                    

Judges 14 and 15 documented Samson's tragic spiritual decline. While he was called to live as a Nazirite, set apart for God's purposes, he was so inflamed by his passions that he strayed far from his calling. he went so far as to marry a Philistine woman. Samson regularly put his own desires above God's Law. Yet the Spirit of the Lord continued to empower him to do miraculous feats of strength (14:6, 19. 15:14). This chapter opens with Samson going to Gaza to visit a prostitute, being lured into a trap, and miraculously escaping by supernatural strength. Later, Samson falls in love with a woman named Deliah, likely a Philistine woman. When the Philistines heard of this, their rulers saw an opportunity to exploit Samson's passions and destroy him. If Delilah found out the source of Samson's supernatural strength, she would earn a large reward (verse 5). Three times Delilah tried to get  Samson to reveal his secret (verses 6-14). But each time, Samson resisted telling her that if his hair were to be cut , he would become as weak as anyone else. Samson recognized Delilah's plan and her methods, but he was unable to resist her appeal.

DISCUSS? Consider you own greatest weakness and how you might be toying with disaster. The only way to overcome temptation is to ask for God's help (1 Corinthians 10:13) and then do your part by taking the way out. He shows you.

Samson's Downfall                   Judges 16:15-22

Many of Samson's sins could be traced back to his sexual lust. Delilah linked her desire to know Samson's secret with his desire for her. Unlike ger other tactics, this was effective. She tormented Samson with it for days. Finally, samson relented and confessed his secret (judges 16:17). Delilah sent for her Philistine coconspirators and then lulled Samson to sleep and cut his hair. Samson woke to find his strength was gone (verses 20-22). The Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. Soon Samson was grinding grain like an animal in Gaza--the very city where he had removed the gates not long before. The most tragic words in this passage are found in verse 20: Samson "didn't realize the Lord had left him." Samson's failure was spiritual;. He has forsaken the Lord, and the consequences were dire. Without supernatural strength, he was defenseless against the enemy. Forgetting his life's purpose had caused him to lose it.

Discuss? How can giving in to temptation in one area often lead to sin in other areas? What are some ways we can stop the landside when this starts to happen?

      Part 3- Samson's Vengeance

        The Philistines Celebrate      Judges 16:23-27

With Samson finally humiliated and enslaved, the Philistines praised their god Dagon, giving him credit for this victory over their enemy (Judges 16:23-24). Dagon was a major Canaanite god, worshipped for centuries by multiple people groups in the land (1 Samuel 5:2-7; 1 Chronicles 10:10). The Philistines brought Samson out of his prison cell for their amusment (Judges 16:25). samson was placed between the pillars of dagon's temple to mock his position as an Israelite leader,. samson asked the servant guiding him to place his hands against the pillars of the temple. It was a huge temple. all the rulers of the Philistines were there, along with 3,ooo men and women on the roof. everyone was focused on  samson, fallen judge of Israel (verse 27).

Discuss?  How does our conduct as Christians reflect on God's reputation?

Samson Dies with the Philistines                Judges 16:28-32

Samson's situation began to change in Judges 16:28 when he prayed to the Lord. He had little right to expect anything from God, but he prayed anyway, asking God to remember him and restore his strength. He only wanted to avenge the wrongs that the Philistines had done against him. He placed his hands on the pillars and prayed that he might die while destroying his enemies. God filled Samson with strength, the pillars crumbled, the temple of Dagon fell, and samson was avenged (Judges 16:29-30). God's name was vindicated, since it was clear that He was far stronger than the Philistines' god. The Philistines oppression would continue for another two centuries, but this event marked a turning point. The reputation of the true God, the defender of Israel, was restored. Maybe you have been struggling with sin and have drifted far from God. He has not given up on you. Loke samson, reach out to Him in prayer and ask Him to remember you again. No matter what you've done or where you've been, going to Him for help is the right thing to do. "If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1 John 1:9).

DISCUSS? How can a moment of prayer mark a turning point in our lives?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US? 

God has a purpose for each of us. This doesn't just refer to life-changing decisions about one's marriage and career. He wants to guide us every day by the Holy Spirit, steering us toward holiness and away from sin, toward peace and away from danger. This only happens if we listen to His voice, uproot the sin in our lives, and follow Jesus with our whole hearts,

LIVING IT OUT

If you know someone who is struggling to understand God's purpose for his or her life, make yourself available for prayer and conversation.

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

                                        Monday: Chosen and Anointed by God. 1 Samuel 16:7-13     

                                     Tuesday: Rewards of Seeking God. 2 Chronicles 7:11-18

                                         Wednesday: Sin Separates people from God. Isaiah 59:1-8

            Thursday: A Son Repents. Luke 15:17-24

         Friday: Remove Sin. 1 Corinthians 5:1-8

                    Saturday: Enable by God. 1 Timothy 1:12-17  

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 107 Number 1. Sep. Oct. Nov 2025