This lesson teaches children that God keeps his promises, even when people feel afraid or think something is impossible. It suits children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, including the memory verse, the story, and the activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps his promises, and he can do wonderful things that surprise us. Even when we feel scared, he is still with us and still in control.
Memory Verse
Judges 13:24
The woman bore a son, and named him Samson. The child grew, and the LORD blessed him.
(WEB)
Say the verse slowly while you rock your hands side to side like a cradle, then cup your hands together as if holding a gift. Ask the children to copy both motions each time they say the words.
The Story: Judges 13 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Israel were doing wrong things again, so God let their enemies, the Philistines, rule over them for forty years. There was a man named Manoah who lived in the town of Zorah. He and his wife had no children, and they wanted a baby very much.
One day an angel of the LORD came to Manoah’s wife. The angel told her, “You will have a son.” He also said that her son would belong to God in a special way, and that he would help rescue Israel from the Philistines. She must not drink wine or eat anything God had forbidden while she was expecting the baby.
Manoah’s wife ran to tell her husband. Manoah prayed and asked God to send the man of God back so they would know how to raise the child. God heard Manoah’s prayer, and the angel came again. Manoah wanted to honor the visitor, so he offered to make a young goat for a meal. The angel told him to offer it to the LORD instead.
When the flame rose from the altar, the angel went up with it. Manoah and his wife fell to the ground, afraid, because they now knew they had seen God’s messenger. But his wife said, “If God wanted to hurt us, he would not have accepted our offering or told us these good things.” Soon after, she had a son and named him Samson. God blessed him as he grew, and God’s Spirit began to move him.
Read It Together
Judges 13:2-3
2 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and childless. 3 The LORD’s angel appeared to the woman, and said to her, “See now, you are barren and childless; but you shall conceive, and bear a son.
(WEB)
Point out that Manoah and his wife had no baby for a long time, and that the angel brought them good news. Ask the children how they think the couple felt when they heard God had a plan for them.
Judges 13:5
For, behold, you shall conceive, and give birth to a son. No razor shall come on his head; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb. He shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God had a special job for this son, to help rescue his people. Explain that God often chooses people to do important things for others.
Judges 13:22-23
22 Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, because we have seen God.” 23 But his wife said to him, “If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he wouldn’t have received a burnt offering and a meal offering at our hand, and he wouldn’t have shown us all these things, nor would he have told us such things as these at this time.”
(WEB)
Point out how Manoah was scared, but his wife reminded him that God was not going to hurt them. Tell the children that God’s kindness can calm our fears when we remember who he is.
Talk About It
- What did God promise Manoah and his wife, and how did they feel when they heard the news?
- Why do you think Manoah asked God to send the angel back?
- How did Manoah’s wife help him feel less afraid after they saw the angel?
- What is something God has promised us in the Bible that we can trust him to do?
- When have you felt scared, and what can you remember about God to help you feel brave?
Activity Ideas
Cradle Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and glue. Have each child draw a simple cradle or a baby blanket, then add a small star or a heart to show God’s promise. Let them glue a small paper strip across the top of the picture and write or draw the words “God keeps his promises” in the middle.
Promise Keeper Game
Ask the children to stand in a line and take turns being the angel. The angel says “God keeps his promises,” and everyone else must spin around once with their arms outstretched as if amazed. Repeat the game a few times, and each time the angel calls out a new promise such as “God is always with us.” Keep the movements gentle and fun.
Take-Home Memory Jar
You will need a clean jar, paper, and a pen. Write a simple promise from God on a slip of paper, such as “God will help you,” and place it in the jar. Encourage the family to read one slip together each night at dinner or bedtime and talk about how God kept his promises in the Bible and still does today.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is faithful to his promises even when people are slow to believe them or are afraid of what he might do. Manoah and his wife responded with fear and then with worship, and God met them in both moments with patience and grace. The story points to God’s active care for his people through a child who would begin to rescue Israel.
Avoid suggesting that Samson’s life is a model of perfect behavior, since the chapter itself focuses on God’s plan and blessing rather than on the son’s character. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness rather than on the child’s future choices.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you always keep your promises to us. Help us remember that you are with us even when we feel scared or unsure. Thank you for loving us and caring for us every day. Amen.
