Judges: A Faithful God in a Broken World "Samson" A Wild Man Finds a Wife (?) Judges 14:1-20
JUDGES: A Faithful God in a Broken World
"Samson: A Wild Man Finds a Wife (?)"
(Judges 14:1-20)
For bulletin in PDF form click here.
Motivation, Sovereignty, and Parenting - Younger
Samson and the Greeks
Entitled
Even though God's grace can be misused and turned into entitlement
God is always at work accomplishing His Purposes.
(14:1-4)
Empowered
God's power is the true source of every triumph.
(14:5-7)
Intrigued
Subtle disobedience is significant
and often has an impact on others around you.
(14:8-9)
Entertained
When our own self-interest and amusement dominate our world-view
chaotic consequences are a frequent result.
(14:10–18)
Enraged
God will always accomplish His purpose
while we will reap what we sow.
(14:19-20)
The grace of God allows Him to use us for His purposes
in spite of our shortcomings
(but not without consequences).
Next Steps
• Truth: God's sovereign purposes will always be accomplished-often in spite of us.
• Warning: Our selfish entitlement and petulant preoccupation with entertainment will eventually come home to roost.
• Challenge: Aline yourself with the purposes of God.
This Week’s Growth Guide
God’s Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.
•. Monday - 1 Samuel 15:1-35
•. Tuesday - 2 Samuel 11:1-27
•. Wednesday - 2 Samuel 12:1-31
•. Thursday - Jude
•. Friday - Judges 15:1-16:31
Home Church
Our Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught
Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another. Home Church helps our body seek God’s best for one another.
Home Church Questions
• Read Judges 14:1-20.
• What stands out in this passage or from the message?
• Talk about the family dynamics in the passage. How does this impact the story? How have family dynamics impacted your story?
• This passage really begins to reveal Samson's character. How would you describe him? Do you know anyone like him?
• How are people like Samson (whatever that means to you) viewed in our culture?
• There is a real tension in this passage between God accomplishing His purposes (esp. verses 4, 6, 19) and Samson's lack of faithfulness to God's law and his own Nazarite vow. Talk about that.
• In 1985 Neil Postman provided a significant analysis and critique of our modern culture in his book, Amusing Ourselves to Death. Reflect on the title of the book and discuss how this has proved to be true since 1985 (interestingly the Apple Macintosh—I am using one to type these notes— was introduced in 1984).
• How do you handle the fact that Samson is clearly not a spiritually mature man and yet "The Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power" (vv. 6, 19). What lesson might we learn from this? Is there a caution here with what we do to religious celebrities?
Finances
Weekly Budget 28,846
Giving. For 04/10 38,505
Giv ing FOR 04/17 21,051
YTD Budget 1,211,538
YTD Giving 1,401,338
OVER/UNDER 189,799
Generations Campaign
Total Pledge 1,535,065
Received-to-date 1,637,943
Easter Offering
If you didn't have the opportunity to paritcipate in the Easter Offering there is still time to give.
The Easter Offering funds 2400 Gospel Opportunities to sensitive countries through Operation Christmas Child. This year the goal is to raise around $30,000 to enable us to pack 2400 boxes
during Fellowship’s packing party in October. Envelopes can be found at the Connection Center
New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you joined the Fellowship Family to worship this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect” section of your bulletin, tear it off, and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.
Fellowship on the Lawn | May 1 | 4:30 p.m.
Join us for Fellowship on the Lawn. Bring your camp chairs, blankets, and tents to enjoy time in community with the entire Fellowship Family. The kids will be able to play on the playground and there will be two different inflatables, one for older elementary kids and one for the younger. There will be four food trucks: Magic Food Truck, Big D’s Dogs, Southern Smoke, and Taco Local offering adult meals from $8-12 and kid meals from $4-6 complete with a main course, side, and drink. The food trucks will be ready to serve at 4:30 p.m. Free Kona Ice will be served for everyone from 5:30-6:30 PM. Grab some friends and join us for Fellowship on the Lawn.
Mother's Day Baby Dedications | May 8 | Both Services
The dedication of babies is a special time for parents to make a commitment before their family and friends to bring up their children in the ways of the Lord. We will have a special Mother’s Day baby dedication on Sunday, May 8 (both services). Contact Lisa Gerdes at lgerdes@fellowshipconway.org if you would like to have your baby dedicated during one of the services.
Night Of Worship | May 15 | 6:00 p.m.
“Glorify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together.” - Psalm 34:3.
Join us Sunday, May 15, at 6:00 pm for community, singing, guided prayer, and communion as we come together for the first night of worship in more than two years. This will be a special evening that you will not want to miss! Childcare is available for children 6 and younger by texting Shanna at 501-336-0332.
Fellowship Kids VBS | July 11-15
Fellowship Kid's 2022 VBS kicks off today! We hope you enjoy hearing our kids sing a song this morning from our VBS curriculum, but it is just the beginning. Kids completing K-4th grades are invited to join us for a journey through Jerusalem, July 11-15, 9 AM-Noon. Spend the week learning about Jesus, His service, sorrow, and great joy with Fellowship Kids. Registration is $5/child and each child can invite one friend who they would like to hear the Good News. The friend can attend for free. If you would like to join us on our journey as a volunteer, we will provide a VBS experience for your younger children, while you serve. Register today
fellowshipconway.org/register.