Wunderkind
Samson – Wunderkind
Judges 12-13:25
Judges Series
Pastor Val @ Renewal
“the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord,” Judges 2:11; 3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:1; 10:6; 13:1
Two truths about sin.
- Sin does not ultimately consist of violating our conscience or violating our personal standards or violating community standards, but rather consists of violating God’s _____for us.
- It is easy to deceive ourselves that we are doing no wrong, even when we are out of _______with God and His will. Romans 1:18
It’s frightening how quickly we can get accustomed to _________ and learn to accept the status quo. 1 Sam. 13:19–23; Judges 15:9– 13
“Satan paints sin with virtue’s colors.” Thomas Brooks the seventeenth-century Puritan writer
The Nazirite vow Numbers 6:1-21
Three abstentions:
- from wine or any other ___________ drink;
- from having his ______ cut;
- from contact with a ________.
Birth Narrative.
a. A pious but _________ woman (who longs for a son) is introduced.
b. She receives a ________ revelation/visitation announcing the conception of a special child and/or the special destiny of the child.
c. The birth of the child is ___________.
d. The child is _________.
Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 11:30; 21:1-3; 1 Samuel 1:5-7, 19-20; Luke 1:7; Luke 1:26-27, 34; Romans 4:17
When God wants to do something really great in His world, He doesn’t send an army but an angel.
Babies are ________, but God uses the weak things of the world to confound the mighty 1 Corinthians 1:26-28
This vow was unique in four respects.
- First, it is _________ imposed rather than voluntary
- Second this vow takes effect from the moment of Samson’s ___________.
- Third this vow is not ___________ but remains in effect until his death
- Fourth to the three standard prohibitions this vow adds the proscription of any _______ food for the child’s mother during her pregnancy.
Genesis 18:1-8; 1 Sam 14:32–34)
You need to know me and my __________ far more than you need more information.
Israel’s major problem was ________.
They lacked spiritual _____________
Have we grown __________ in our Christianity?
Today’s culture has desensitized men and women to spiritual matters, and the church itself has not escaped ___________ of this desensitizing process.
The potential with the many resources at the disposal of Christians—spiritual and otherwise—is immense. Yet, tragically much of these resources are being ___________ in self-interested waste. We too need to have an attitude check and to look to God’s amazing grace.
Steps to Renewal (Wunderkind)
- What kind of people were Manoah and his wife?
- In what ways was Manoah’s wife prepared to be the mother of Samson?
- What can we learn about parenting from this story?
- Keeping in mind that she was childless, how do you imagine Manoah’s wife felt when the angel told her she would have a child?
- *From what disappointing experience or situation has the Lord delivered you?
- How has the Lord used painful experiences in your past to make you a better person today?
- *How have you experienced the compassion and forgiveness of the Lord?
- What kind of people were Manoah and his wife?
- In what ways was Manoah’s wife prepared to be the mother of Samson?
- What can we learn about parenting from this story?
- Keeping in mind that she was childless, how do you imagine Manoah’s wife felt when the angel told her she would have a child?
- *From what disappointing experience or situation has the Lord delivered you?
- How has the Lord used painful experiences in your past to make you a better person today?
- *How have you experienced the compassion and forgiveness of the Lord?
Next Steps to Renewal
- How will your life this week reflect the truth that God’s eyes matter more than yours?
- What is one way you can remind yourself or a friend of God’s goodness in giving children?
- *What new perspective could you have this week on a difficult situation in your life?
- In what way could you encourage a friend or family member who is dealing with disappointment or loss?
