Who Is Stronger? | Object Lesson
Lesson Overview
Who is stronger? Is it the person who looks the strongest, or the person who has the most help?
In this object lesson, two adult helpers demonstrate the difference between trying to carry a burden alone and receiving support. Children will discover that Samson’s incredible strength came from God, not from his muscles or magical hair. We’ll also talk about the things that weigh us down and the encouragement God provides to help us keep going.
Main Point: Our greatest strength comes from God. We can trust Him, depend on the help of the Holy Ghost, and receive encouragement from people who love Him.
Bible Connection
Judges 16:20: “And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.”
Psalm 20:7: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
Supplies Needed
- Bible
- Two willing adult helpers
- Empty or very lightweight bucket
- Optional helium-filled balloons or balloon pictures
- Labels marked SELF-RELIANCE, LOSS OF HOPE, DISCOURAGING INFLUENCES, HOLY GHOST, HOPE OF HEAVEN, and ENCOURAGING FRIENDS
- Optional chair or small table for displaying the labels
Preparation
Ask two adult helpers to stand side by side with their elbows bent and forearms extended. Both should be comfortable participating.
The first helper will represent someone trying to carry burdens without accepting help. The second will represent someone receiving support and encouragement.
Use an empty or very lightweight bucket to represent burdens. Have the teacher gently support the second helper’s elbow to demonstrate assistance.
If using helium balloons, keep them tethered and have an adult handle the ribbons. Balloon pictures work just as well for representing things that lift us up.
Keep the demonstration brief. Nobody should strain, compete to hold a position, or attempt to prove physical strength. Either helper can lower an arm at any time.
How to Teach the Object Lesson
Invite your two adult helpers to stand at the front.
Say: “ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY! I HAVE TWO PEOPLE UP HERE, AND I WANT YOU TO TELL ME SOMETHING. WHO LOOKS STRONGER?”
Allow the children to respond.
Say: “HOW CAN YOU TELL? IS IT THEIR MUSCLES? HOW TALL THEY ARE? MAYBE HOW MUCH THEY CAN LIFT?”
Let the children offer a few guesses.
Say: “You know, sometimes we think being strong means being able to handle everything by ourselves. But I want to show you something interesting!”
Say: “Have you ever heard of a man in the Bible named SAMSON?”
Explain that God gave Samson extraordinary strength. He accomplished things that ordinary people could never have done.
Say: “Samson was so strong that he could break ropes and defeat enemies who came against him. But where did all that strength come from?”
Allow children to answer.
Say: “IT CAME FROM GOD!”
Explain that Samson was set apart to God as a Nazirite. His uncut hair was connected with that dedication, but the hair itself was not magical.
Briefly tell the story from Judges 16:15-22.
Explain that Delilah repeatedly pressured Samson to reveal the secret connected with his strength. Eventually, Samson told her about his uncut hair and his dedication to God.
While Samson slept, his hair was cut. The Philistines then came to capture him.
Read Judges 16:20: “And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.”
Say: “Samson woke up and thought, ‘I’ll just get up and break free like I’ve done before!’ But there was something he didn’t realize. THE LORD HAD DEPARTED FROM HIM!”
Explain that Samson had begun relying on the strength he was accustomed to having, but he had failed to recognize his dependence on God.
Say: “Samson’s strength wasn’t something he could take credit for. It came from the Lord!”
Have the first helper hold one arm comfortably in position.
Hold up the empty bucket.
Say: “NOW, LET’S THINK ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT CAN WEIGH US DOWN!”
Show the SELF-RELIANCE label.
Say: “SELF-RELIANCE! That’s when we act like we can handle absolutely everything without God’s help!”
Show the LOSS OF HOPE label.
Say: “LOSS OF HOPE! Sometimes we get discouraged and start thinking nothing will ever get better!”
Show the DISCOURAGING INFLUENCES label.
Say: “AND WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO KEEP TELLING US WE CAN’T DO WHAT’S RIGHT OR THAT SERVING GOD ISN’T WORTH IT?”
Place the labels near the lightweight bucket and have the helper briefly hold it, without adding actual weight.
Say: “Those things can make life feel pretty heavy, can’t they?”
Allow the helper to lower the arm whenever desired.
Turn to the second helper.
Say: “NOW LET’S LOOK AT SOME THINGS GOD HAS GIVEN US TO HELP US!”
Show the HOLY GHOST label.
Say: “FIRST, THE HOLY GHOST! God gives us His Spirit to help us live for Him!”
Show the HOPE OF HEAVEN label.
Say: “SECOND, THE HOPE OF HEAVEN! We have a wonderful promise about eternity with Jesus!”
Show the ENCOURAGING FRIENDS label.
Say: “AND THIRD, ENCOURAGING FRIENDS! People who love God and remind us to keep doing what’s right!”
Have the teacher gently support the second helper’s elbow for a moment.
If using tethered helium balloons, hold them beside the helper as a visual reminder of encouragement and support.
Say: “LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE! THIS PERSON ISN’T TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING ALONE. THERE’S SOMEBODY HELPING!”
Point toward the two helpers.
Say: “WHAT WAS DIFFERENT ABOUT THESE TWO PEOPLE?”
Allow the children to answer.
Say: “One was showing us what it’s like to try carrying burdens alone. The other was receiving help and support!”
Say: “Sometimes we think being strong means never needing anybody. But that’s not true! We need God, and sometimes we need help from other people too!”
Explain that the demonstration is a picture of encouragement. It does not measure anyone’s faith or promise that trusting God will make every difficulty disappear.
Read Psalm 20:7: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
Say: “Back in Bible times, people looked at horses and chariots as signs of military strength. But the psalmist said that our trust should be in the LORD!”
Say: “We can learn things, work hard, develop skills, and become stronger. Those are good things! But we should never forget that we need God.”
Teacher Follow-Up
Say: “Samson was strong, but the strength didn’t start with Samson. His strength came from God. When he thought he could just get up and break free like before, he didn’t realize the Lord had departed from him.”
Say: “We can learn a lot, work hard, and become really good at things. Those are all good things! But we still need God. We need His wisdom, His strength, and His help.”
Say: “When we get tired or discouraged, we can ask God for help. We can pray, remember His promises, and let people who love Him encourage us.”
Say: “What does encouragement sound like? Maybe someone says, ‘I’m praying for you!’ Or ‘Don’t give up!’ Or ‘Let’s do what’s right together!’ Those words can really help somebody!”
Allow the children to offer examples.
Say: “Now, what if you have a friend who makes fun of you because you want to live for God? What if they laugh because you won’t do something you know is wrong?”
Allow children to respond.
Say: “You don’t have to argue or be mean. You can tell them kindly that you’ve decided to do what’s right. And if they keep pressuring you, you can step away and talk to someone you trust.”
Say: “Why did Samson think he could escape the Philistines just like he had before?”
Allow children to answer.
Say: “He was used to being strong! But he had forgotten something very important. His strength came from God!”
Say: “What helped our second volunteer during the demonstration?”
Allow children to answer.
Say: “That’s right! They had support. And we have help available too. God gives us His Spirit, His promises, and people who can encourage us.”
Say: “If you’re feeling discouraged, who could you talk to? Maybe your parents, your pastor, a Sunday School teacher, or another trusted adult.”
Allow the children to identify someone they could approach.
Say: “Here’s what I want you to understand. Being strong doesn’t mean you never get tired. It doesn’t mean you never feel afraid or discouraged. And it certainly doesn’t mean you have to handle everything by yourself!”
Say: “Our greatest strength comes from God. So instead of trusting only in ourselves, let’s remember what Psalm 20:7 says: ‘But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.'”