Unit 1: Lesson 16 SAMSON

1) Welcome Activity:

2) Songs: Start the Story Hour with the learning our names song. Go around the circle or table and introduce each child.
(sing to the tune of “The More we get together”
Thank you God for (name)
For (name), for (name)
Thank you God for (name)
We’re glad (s) he is here!

Here is a good song for today "My God is so Big"

My God is so big, So strong and so mighty, There's nothing my God cannot do.
[clap clap]
My God is so big, So strong and so mighty, There's nothing my God cannot do.
[clap clap]
The mountains are His, The valleys are His, The stars are His handiwork too.
My God is so big, So strong and so mighty, There's nothing my God cannot do.
[clap clap]

Here is a musical refresher:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pL7msQYNLk

3) Prayer... ask God to work the Holy Spirit in our hearts to make us willing and ready to serve.



4) Theme: Remind the children of the theme of the unit: God works among his covenant people to prepare the world for the Savior. Hebrews 12:1&2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded
by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us… look to Jesus.” Tell them that they are going to hear a Bible Story again today that shows how God works through Samson. Samson was a Nazarite… that means that he was not allowed to cut his hair, drink any wine or eat anything unclean. But this did not make his strong – his strength came from God!


5) Bible Story: Today’s Story is about Samson. Read pages 134-138 from the Read and Learn Bible (Scholastic).


6) Text: Today’s Text is: “O God, please strengthen me...” Judges 16:28


7) Craft:

• “So Strong” Weights:
  You'll need:Four Paper Bowls for each Child,One Cardboard Paper Towel Tube for each child,Stickers,Markers,Crayons,Scissors,Glue
  Directions:Cut a hole in the center of two of the bowls for each child.Give each child four bowls and let them decorate them. Help the children poke the cardboard tube through the holes in the bowls. Spread glue around the rim of the other two bowls and attach them to the bowls on the cardboard tube.
• We are Strong in the Lord Poster:
  In the center of a sheet of poster paper, print “We are strong in the Lord”. Have each child dip their hand in washable paint and stamp their handprint on the poster. Write each child’s name near their handprint. Children like to take something home with theme, too, so at the same time, have them stamp their hand print on a separate sheet of paper with the title on it to bring home. Hang the poster in the classroom.
• Strength of Samson
  You'll need:Large sheets of black yellow or brown construction paper,scissors,stapler,marker
  Directions:Distribute construction paper and scissors. Help the children cut a fringe by making several slits in the paper from one long edge to the other, stopping one inch from the end each time. Place around child's head to measure length. Staple to fit child's head. Cut all fringes that hang over child's face. The children now have hair like Samson.
  

8) Closing Prayer... say the Lord's prayer together with the children
9) Going Home: Sing the closing together. Then, check to see if all the children have collected their crafts and coloring sheets before they go home. Say goodbye and tell them that you enjoyed learning about God together and were happy to have them today! You were, weren’t you?
(sung to the tune of The More we Get Together,
just like the opening song)
We love to learn together,
Together, together
We love to learn together
And give thanks to God.
Also can be sung with: “sing” or “pray” or “work”
10) Optional Coloring Pages:
http://www.free-coloring-pages.com/pages/bible-41.html