“Lesson 25: Samson,” Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996), 110

• This is a game that the Prophet Joseph Smith enjoyed.

• I need two of you to sit on the floor I need two of you to sit on the floor facing each other, feet together and facing each other, feet together and holding a stick with both hands.holding a stick with both hands.

• When I say go, try to bring the other When I say go, try to bring the other boy to his feet by pulling on the stick.boy to his feet by pulling on the stick.

• How do muscles help us?

• Our spirits also need to grow stronger. How can we become stronger spiritually?

• Why is it important to become spiritually strong?

• Today we’re going to Today we’re going to learn about the last of learn about the last of the Judges of Israel, the Judges of Israel, Samson. Samson.

• Samson was called Samson was called by the Lord to by the Lord to deliver Israel from deliver Israel from the Philistines.the Philistines.

• His mission required great His mission required great physical strength.physical strength.

• Let’s read Judges 13:1–5, 24Let’s read Judges 13:1–5, 24

• Why were the Philistines able to defeat the children of Israel?

• What message did an angel of the Lord give to Manoah’s wife?

• Let’s read Judges 13:1–5, 24Let’s read Judges 13:1–5, 24

• What did the angel say her son would be called to do?

• Nazarites made a covenant to separate themselves from the things of the world and become holy unto the Lord. As part of this covenant, each Nazarite made a vow not to drink alcoholic drinks or cut his hair

• Let’s read Judges 13:1–5, 24Let’s read Judges 13:1–5, 24

• When Manoah heard what the angel told his wife, how did he show he had spiritual strength? (See verse 8)

• How can prayer help us develop greater spiritual strength?

• Let’s read Judges 14:5–6Let’s read Judges 14:5–6

• Samson used his strength many times to save his life and fight the Philistines.

• What happened in these verses to show he had great strength?

• Let’s read Judges 15:3–8Let’s read Judges 15:3–8

• This time he showed he had more than just physical strength.

• What kind of strength did he show in burning up the corn field?

• Let’s read Judges 15:11–15, 20Let’s read Judges 15:11–15, 20

• What did Samson do in these verses to fill the assignment the Lord gave him?

• Let’s read Judges 15:13–14Let’s read Judges 15:13–14• Where did Samson get his physical

strength?• When Samson kept his covenants and

was strong spiritually, he was blessed with physical strength.

• How are we blessed when we keep our covenants and are spiritually strong?

• I’m going to read letters I’ve I’m going to read letters I’ve written to each one of you.written to each one of you.

• We all have different strengths. Heavenly Father needs us to use these strengths to serve Him and others.

• I’ve mentioned some strengths I’ve seen in each of you. What other strengths do you see in your classmates? Enrichment Activity 4

• Let’s read Judges 16:4–20Let’s read Judges 16:4–20• What did the Philistines offer Delilah

if she would help them capture Samson?

• How can we avoid being tempted by riches?

• Let’s read Judges 16:4–20Let’s read Judges 16:4–20• Why did Samson finally give in and tell

Delilah the secret of his strength?Why did Samson lose his

strength?

• Let’s read Judges 16:4–20Let’s read Judges 16:4–20

Samson’s strength was not actually in his hair. His hair was a sign of his covenant with the Lord. When Samson broke his covenant by sinning, the Lord took away his physical strength.

• Let’s read Judges 16:21–31Let’s read Judges 16:21–31• What did the Philistines do to Samson

after they captured him?• Later, when they

brought him out of prison for their own amusement and ridicule, what did Samson pray for?

• Let’s read Judges 16:21–31Let’s read Judges 16:21–31• How did Heavenly Father answer his

prayer?• Which kind

of strength is more important, physical or spiritual?

• What Things Can We Do to What Things Can We Do to Develop Spiritual Strength?Develop Spiritual Strength?

• Attend church• Read the scriptures• Pray daily• Be a peacemaker at home• Treat others kindly• Keep the commandments• Other ideas?

• What Things Can We Do to What Things Can We Do to Develop Spiritual Strength?Develop Spiritual Strength?

• On a piece of paper I will give you, write down the “exercises” you will do this week to develop your “spiritual muscles.”

• Put the paper someplace where you can see it, and review it often.

• What Things Can We Do to What Things Can We Do to Develop Spiritual Strength?Develop Spiritual Strength?

• Some people are unable to develop physical strength, but anyone who tries can develop spiritual strength by keeping their covenants and obeying God’s commandments.

• What Things Can We Do to What Things Can We Do to Develop Spiritual Strength?Develop Spiritual Strength?

• What covenants did you make with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ when you were baptized? (See Mosiah 18:8−10)

• You will receive greater spiritual strength when you make covenants in the temple. Prepare for the temple by keeping your baptismal covenants.

I Will Be ValiantI Will Be Valiant

The Lord needs valiant servants,To do his work in the latter day,Who follow the teachings of JesusAnd serve His people in a loving way.I will be His servantAnd keep my cov’nants valiantly.I’ll stand for truth. I’ll stand for right.The Lord can depend on me.

• Images and clipart are from Websites that indicate the images are in the public domain. The lesson and activities are from the Primary 6 Old Testament manual. (The PowerPoint presentation is intended to supplement, not replace, the lesson manual, so teachers should refer to the manual when preparing and conducting the lesson.) The song is from the music Website on LDS.org.

• No copyrighted materials were knowingly used in this presentation. Please do not use this presentation for commercial use.