An Animal Parable Bible Lesson From Matney Woodard

"Ask the animals and they will teach you" -- Job 12:7

Samson & Dakota

You’ve heard the story of Samson and Delilah, but what about Samson and Dakota? Dakota was a very special dog that lived in a Philistine prison. Her life was forever changed when she met Samson and obeyed God.

"Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." -- 1 Corinthians 15:58

Introduction

This Bible devotion is intended to be used with the children's story, Samson & Dakota. Jesus often taught people using parables. In the same way, these stories and devotions are written to teach Bible truths to kids, teens, and people of all ages.

Read the concepts below and look up the Bible verses associated with each one. Use the faith building exercise to build your faith. Based on the Samson & Delilah story, this parable is about how a dog named Dakota helps Samson in prison. You can read the real story in your Bible at Judges 13-16.

Samson & Dakota – Key Concepts

A Parable About Friendship

1. Samson thought that Delilah really loved him, but she was just pretending. She simply used Samson to get rich. Sometimes it is difficult to know the real motives of people you meet. You should love everyone, but be alert for the devil’s tricks. When you put your full trust in Jesus, you have access to all of God's wisdom. God knows what is in the hearts and minds of everyone. He will help you know who your real friends are and guide you when you need to be careful.

1 Samuel 16:7 Proverbs 3:5-6 21:2 Luke 16:15 Acts 18:10

2. After Delilah tricked Samson, the Philistines blinded him leaving him completely helpless. He had disobeyed God and lost his only source of strength and protection. God was disappointed, but He never gave up or stopped loving Samson. Samson had made some wrong choices and he had to face the results of his actions. No matter what you’ve done, if you ask God to forgive you He will! Not only will He forgive, He will completely forget that sin! God never gives up on His children.

Psalm 103 Ephesians 1:7-8 Colossians 2:13-15 1 John 1:8-10

3. Dakota lived in the prison because that was the only home she could find. She believed that it was God’s will for her to live in a nice home with a family. She prayed a faith-filled prayer and God answered it! When you pray using the God-kind of faith, your prayers are always answered. But you must believe and never doubt what God can do in your life.

2 Chronicles 20:20 Psalm 128 2 Corinthians 8:9 3 John 2

4. You need friends to help you during difficult times and to rejoice with you in the good times. You must give yourself to everyone. This is love and it is a command from God. Love gives. Love shares. Love cares. Love is always demonstrated by your actions. Remember, God is love. When you love, you are fulfilling God’s most important commandment.

Luke 10:27-28 1 Corinthians 13 1 John 4:7-12

5. The foolish Philistines were worshipping a statue. They thought it would protect them and they placed their full trust in it. Most people have given up worshipping statues, but they do put their trust in other things, like money, people, a job, or fame. This is just as bad as praying to a hunk of wood. God is your source, protection, strength, and wisdom. You must never trust anything or anyone above God.

Exodus 20:3-6 Matthew 4:10 Luke 6:13 Acts 17:29 Romans 1:22-23

6. The Philistines held a huge celebration and brought out their prize captive, Samson. The people made fun of him and ridiculed God. But Samson had asked God to forgive him and give him one last victory over the Philistines. People may ridicule your beliefs, but if your faith is strong, God will always give you the victory and prove that He is a great God! Through good times and difficult times, you can always rejoice in your loving Father who cares for you. With Jesus as your Lord, you always win!

Exodus 14:13 Psalm 27 Joel 2:21 John 16:33 2 Corinthians 2:14

7. When Samson placed his hands on the columns, he didn’t believe that he could push the temple down with his own strength. He believed that God would give him the strength to do the job. It was his “temple-rocking” faith that brought that building down. When you place your full trust in Jesus, you can experience this same God-kind of faith in your life. Start exercising your faith today.

Psalm 91:15 Isaiah 65:24 Matthew 7:7-8 Mark 11:22-24 Hebrews 11:1

8. Dakota, a Native American name which means “friend”, showed her love for Samson and her obedience to God by guarding Samson’s body. She made sure she was faithful to the very end. When you walk in obedience and love, you are God’s light on this planet. This is the best way to win people to Christ. Let the world see God’s light shine through you every day.

Matthew 5:14-16 Acts 13:47 Ephesians 5:8 Philippians 2:15

9. When Samson’s family arrived, Dakota led them to the body. That could have been the end of the story. But God was at work behind the scenes. Dakota had prayed and believed for a home and her faith produced results. It is so good to know that you serve a wonderful God. Start believing for God’s best every day. Read your Bible, speak faith-filled words, pray and praise God for everything He has promised.

Psalm 117 Mark 9:23 John 15:7 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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Putting It All Together

Even if you make wrong choices, God will not stop loving you.
When you make a mistake, you need to quickly ask for forgiveness. God will always forgive and forget.
Like Samson, if you have “temple-rocking” faith in God, anything is possible.
If you walk in love and obedience to God, you can have confidence that God will protect, provide, and guide you in everything.

Faith Building Exercise

Say these out loud every day until you believe them in your spirit. They will build your faith. Look up these verses and read them as they appear in your Bible. You can always trust God’s Word because He cannot lie.

God is love. God loves me. Love never fails!

(Deuteronomy 23:5; 1 Corinthians 13:8; 1 John 4:8)

I am filled with mountain moving faith.

(Mark 11:23)

God is first in my life.

(Matthew 4:10)

God gives me the desires of my heart.

(Psalm 20:4, 37:4-7)

I always do my Father’s will.

(Colossians 1:10)

God will never forget me.

(1 Samuel 12:22)

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