- What are some notable facts about the characters presented in Judges 13?
- What other instances can you recall throughout scripture where God uses a barren woman in His greater plan of redemption?
- What were the instructions the angel gave to Manoah’s wife?
- What is a Nazirite and who else throughout scripture is considered to be a Nazarite? What was different about Samson’s Nazirite call than other biblical examples?
- Who is this “angel of the Lord” considered to be in this passage and throughout scripture?
- Why do you think the angel didn’t give Manoah and his wife further parenting instruction? Where could they have already found that instruction? (Hint: see Dt. 6)
- What frightened Manoah in such a way that caused Manoah to conclude that they would die? Why was this conclusion unreasonable considering the circumstances?
- What is the Hebrew meaning for the name “Samson”?
Application:
1. What elements of culture have I become too comfortable with that are against God’s will?
2. Is there anything in my life right now that feels impossible to overcome? How does God’s repeated examples of bringing miraculous fruit out of barrenness in this story and others encourage me in the truth that all things are possible with God?
3. Like Manoah, where may I be drawing unreasonable conclusions about how God will workin my life based on my own human wisdom?
3. How does the birth story of Samson point me to Jesus?
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