Life Group Questions

1. If you could not hear this week’s sermon, consider going to the church website and listening to it. What main ideas did you gain from the message? Do you have any questions?

2. Why do you think the writer mentions the period of Samson’s service as a judge twice in the book of Judges (cf. 15:20; 16:31)? How is this double occurrence related to the double mention of Joshua’s death (cf. 1:1; 2:6)?

3. Read the following passages: Judges 3:10-11; 10:2-3; 12:7-13. How do these passages differ from Judges 15:20? How is the material of Judges 16:1-31 related to the two statements in 15:20 and 16:31?

4. Describe some of the characteristics of the Philistines mentioned in our passage. What does it mean that Dagon was their god? Is or was Dagon a god (cf. Deuteronomy 4:39; 32:39; Isaiah 45:5-7)? Are there any gods other than the Lord (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:4)? Why or why not?

5. Why do you think the Philistines chose Samson as a source of entertainment? What was it about Samson that entertained them? Do you believe Samson did something in particular to entertain them? Do you think the world is entertained or amused by Christians? Explain.

6. What is the significance of the writer telling us Samson called to the Lord (cf. 16:18)? How is this action of Samson different from his earlier calling on the Lord (cf. 15:18)? Describe a time when you called upon the Lord.

7. Describe Samson’s general attitude concerning his prayer to God. What does the word “please” tell us about him? What do his requests for God’s remembrance and the granting of strength indicate? Does God forget so that we need Him to remember (cf. Genesis 8:1; 19:29; 30:22; Exodus 2:24)? Explain.

8. Why do you think the writer uses the related words for death (e.g. dead, die, death, killed) so many times in Judges 16:30? What is the message and how is it related to Samson’s life, decisions and actions?

9. Take some time to reflect upon the death of Christ (cf. Romans 5:6-8; 14:9; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 2:21; etc.). What has Christ accomplished through His death? What result has come from His death (cf. Revelation 5)?

by Terry Beatty /  Lead Teacher and Ministry Vision