Necessary Confrontation

Read Hebrews 12:7-11. Some suffering is discipline from the Lord and is a sign we are God’s children. How should we consider the Lord’s discipline (or confrontation)? What new perspective do we need to have in order to endure suffering?

Why did Samson’s parents not want him to marry a Philistine? What was Samson born to do (look at the end of Judges 13:5)? Instead of starting to save Israel from the Philistines he wants to marry one!

In what ways are we driven by our senses and not driven by God’s Word? What will we do to be driving by God’s Word?

Read Judges 14:4. What is the Lord’s agenda in Samson’s decision to marry a Philistine? Is Samson responsible for his actions throughout his life if “this was from the Lord”? We are responsible for our actions and God is sovereign over our actions. This is a profound mystery. Read Romans 9:19-24.Barry Webb says, “Samson is an immature, incensed, out-of-control youth; but at the same time he is a weapon in God’s hand, being propelled relentlessly and unerringly toward his destiny as Israel’s savior.”

In what areas are we willing to choose tolerance over truth, compromise over conflict or preservation over persecution? Dale Ralph Davis says,“God does not call us to negotiate with sin and evil but to wage war on them, to nurse a hatred toward them in all their forms.”

How is Samson’s behavior disappointing to you in ch. 14-15?

When Samson does superhuman things how is God’s Spirit involved? How can God’s Spirit empower us to do amazing works today? Read Acts 1:8.

Why does revenge never end (Judges 15)? Are we to take revenge on our enemies as Christians? Why or why not? Read Romans 12:17-21.

In Judges 15:19 Samson named the spring, Spring of the One Who Cried Out. How does this spring point to Jesus as the Living Water (John 4)? How does our culture tell us to satisfy the thirsts of our souls? How does God provide for the thirsts of our souls?