Middle School Week 3 (June 3): Samson – I don’t follow what I want.
Discussion Goal:
I’m not controlled by feelings.
Start Talking (Conversation Starter):
Have you ever wanted something, gotten it, then realized you didn’t like it that much? What happened?
Optional activity: What Would You Choose?
Say, “We’re talking about Samson this week. Samson often chose what he wanted based on his feelings rather than what God wanted. Let’s play a quick game about what we’d want between two choices.”
Tell youth they will answer a question and then tell the group why they’d want that.
- Would you want unlimited Chick-fil-A for a year or $1,000 cash right now?
- Would you want to always get the last word in every argument or never get into arguments at all?
- Would you want to be the funniest person in the room or have the most aura in the room?
- Would you want to go viral for something embarrassing or never be known by anyone outside your school
- Would you want to win every game you play or have the best friendships?
- Would you want to be able to read minds or be able to fly?
- Would you want a one-pound dog or a 50-pound cat as a pet?
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.
What are some ways you know when something is actually good for you and not just something you want in the moment? Why can that be hard to choose sometimes?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:23. Paul says that not everything we want is actually best for us. Where do you see that in the world around you? How about at school or with friends?
Read Judges 16:1-2 and Judges 16:25-30. Samson kept choosing what he wanted instead of what God wanted, and it shaped his life. Have you ever seen that happen in your own life?
What could it look like to choose what’s better in those situations?
👀🔎 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 meeting us where we’re at, even when we don’t make the best choices. Help us learn from Samson and choose what You’ve called us to over what we want in the moment. When we’re facing those choices, remind us of the good things You want for us so we can make the best decision. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Additional Questions
Samson was set apart for a purpose. What are some ways we’re called to live “set apart” or to live differently from the world around us? What do people notice when someone chooses to follow God instead of just going along with everyone else?
What kind of person do you want to become? In other words, what do you want other people to notice about you?
How do the choices you make now help move you in that direction?
What you give your attention to shapes your life. Name the top three things pulling for your attention right now.
Where do you feel pressure to just follow what you feel instead of what’s right? How has our discussion today encouraged or challenged you?