High School Week 3 (June 3): Samson – I don’t follow what I want.
Discussion Goal:
I choose direction over desire.
Start Talking (Conversation Starter):
What’s something you bought or asked someone to buy for you, and you were really excited about it in the moment, but you later thought, “Yeah, that wasn’t worth it”?
Think It Through (and Talk It Out)
Leader Tip: Choose questions that resonate with your group’s age, experiences, and current understanding. There’s no pressure to cover all the questions — pick the ones that fit your group the best.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23. “I have the right to do anything” — where do you see this mindset show up in the world around you? How does it shape the way people make decisions?
Samson often followed what he wanted in the moment instead of what God had called him to. Where do you feel the tension between what you want right now and what you know is actually better for you now or long-term?
Read Judges 14:1-3 and Judges 16:1-2. What may have seemed like small choices led Samson off track. How do everyday decisions (e.g., what you watch, who you listen to, how you spend time, etc.) shape the direction of your life?
Choosing direction over desire means we need to think about the future, not just today or the moment we’re in. When you picture the kind of person you want to become, what current habits or choices might be pulling you in the wrong direction? What can you do this week to choose direction over what you want in the moment?
👀🔎 Eye Check: Samson followed what he wanted, and those choices led to some really tough consequences. What’s something you really want but you know it doesn’t line up with what God wants for you? Talk about it as a group, and encourage each other: Don’t follow what you want.
Pray: God, thank You for caring about the direction of our lives and not just our moments. You see what we don’t — how small choices add up over time. Give us wisdom to recognize what’s truly good for us, not just what we want right now. Help us choose what leads us closer to You and the life You’re calling us to. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Additional Questions
What you give your attention to shapes your life. What are the main things competing for your attention right now? Where are they leading you?
Where do you see the message “follow your feelings” the most in the world around you? When can that lead people in the wrong direction?
Think about a recent decision you made based on what you felt in the moment. Looking back, would you make the same choice again? Why or why not?
Where do you know God is leading you one way, but you’re tempted to go your own way instead?