Character Profile

Samson

Alias: The Ark Builder

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Superpowers:

  • Unrivaled Strength

    Samson possesses incredible physical strength, enabling him to perform extraordinary feats of power such as tearing apart lion's jaws and collapsing entire buildings.

  • Invincible Endurance:

    He displays exceptional endurance, enduring long periods of physical strain and persevering through relentless challenges.

  • Divine Guidance:

    Samson is guided by divine intervention, receiving strength and wisdom from the Almighty to fulfill his destiny as a judge and champion of his people.

Unveiling the Legend

Samson was born to a barren woman who received a divine promise of his birth. From his youth, it was evident that Samson was destined for greatness, as his strength was unmatched by any other. Chosen by the Lord to deliver the Israelites from oppression, Samson’s journey was marked by both triumph and tragedy. Despite his flaws and weaknesses, Samson’s unwavering faith and dedication to his mission made him a legendary figure in biblical history.

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  • Defeated a Lion: In a display of his supernatural strength, Samson tore apart a lion with his bare hands, proving his might to all who witnessed the spectacle.
  • Slew a Thousand Philistines: Armed with only the jawbone of a donkey, Samson single-handedly defeated a thousand Philistine soldiers, showcasing his unparalleled combat prowess.
  • Toppled the Temple of Dagon: In his final act of heroism, Samson, imprisoned and weakened by his enemies, prayed to the Lord for strength one last time. Empowered by divine intervention, he pushed apart the pillars of the temple, bringing it crashing down upon himself and his enemies, ultimately sacrificing his life to deliver his people.

Delilah: Despite his incredible strength, Samson’s Achilles’ heel was his vulnerability to deception and manipulation. Delilah, a Philistine woman whom he loved, betrayed him by revealing the secret of his strength, leading to his capture and downfall.

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  • His Parents: Samson’s parents played a crucial role in his life, nurturing him and guiding him in his journey as a chosen servant of the Lord.
  • The Spirit of the Lord: Throughout his life, Samson was empowered by the divine spirit, which provided him with the strength and wisdom needed to fulfill his destiny.
  • The Israelites: Despite his flaws, Samson was recognized as a hero and leader among his people, who looked to him for deliverance from their enemies.

Family Discussion Questions

Use these questions during family time, devotions, or dinner. Choose what fits your family – there’s no need to do them all.

Ages 4–6

  • Who was Samson?

  • Who gave Samson his strength?

  • Did God help Samson?

Ages 7–9

  • Samson was very strong, but he didn’t always make wise choices. Why is wisdom important?

  • Where do you think true strength comes from?

  • How can we use our strengths in a good way?

Ages 10–13

  • Samson sometimes used his strength selfishly. Why can power be hard to handle?

  • Read Judges 13–16. What stands out to you about Samson’s choices?

  • How can relying on God help us make wiser decisions?

True strength comes from God and is meant to be used wisely.

THIS HERO’S CHALLENGE

Samson learned that strength without wisdom can lead to trouble, but relying on God helps us use our gifts the right way.

This week, talk about a strength or talent each person has.
Pray together and ask God to help you use your strengths wisely and for good.

  • What strengths has God given you?

  • How can strength be used the wrong way?

  • Why do you think God wants us to rely on Him?

📖 Judges 13
📖 Judges 14
📖 Judges 15
📖 Judges 16

Memory Verse:

“The Lord gives strength to his people.” - Psalm 29:11

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Virtue Voyages

S.2 Episode​ 8

The Self-Control Showdown

When Dreams Meet Temptation at the County Fair! 🎪🤠

Hold onto your hats, trail buddies! In this thrilling episode of Virtue Voyages, Jessie discovers that sometimes the biggest showdown isn’t with another cowboy – it’s with your own wants and wishes!

After saving all summer for a beautiful new bridle with silver buckles for Thunder, Jessie heads to the county fair with his hard-earned coins. But everywhere he turns, temptation calls! Ring toss games, funnel cakes that smell like heaven, mechanical bulls, and glittering prizes all compete for his attention and his money.

Will Jessie blow his savings on fair fun that lasts a few hours, or will he stick to his dream and show Thunder off in that sparkling new bridle? Through this carnival of choices, kids learn that self-control isn’t about never having fun – it’s about choosing what matters most!

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The Self-Control Showdown

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The Self-Control Showdown
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Where Cowboy Tales Meet Timeless Virtues!

What Your Kids Will Discover:

  • Self-control protects our biggest dreams and goals
  • The sweetest victories come from delayed gratification
  • Every “no” to something small can be a “yes” to something bigger
  • Biblical wisdom from Proverbs 25:28 about building strong walls around our goals

Ready to teach your kids that the best things in life are worth waiting for? Listen now and discover the power of sticking to your goals!

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🎖 Submit their story, and they might hear their name in the next Virtue Voyages adventure!

👉 Click here to share their hero moment!
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Character Chronicles

Self-Control

Index

Introduction

We all want our kids to grow up to be responsible, successful adults. One of the most important skills that contributes to that is self-control.

Self-control is the ability to monitor and manage thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to achieve long-term goals, even in the face of temptations or impulses. Teaching kids self-control early on sets them up for success later in life.

In this blog post, we’ll cover simple, practical tips parents can use to teach self-control and why it’s so beneficial for development. Think of self-control as a muscle – the more kids practice it, the stronger it gets over time.

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What is Self-Control and Why It Matters

Self-control is hugely important not only for success in life, but for following godly principles. The Bible clearly extols the virtues of self-control and teaches that it should be actively developed.

Self-control, or temperance, is the ability to control one’s desires, emotions, and behaviors in order to avoid excess and sin and live a righteous life. As Proverbs 25:28 states, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Self-control keeps destructive impulses and temptations at bay.

The Bible emphasizes self-control as a component of the fruit of the Spirit, writing “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). By manifesting self-control through the Spirit, Christians withstand earthly sins and corrupt desires.

Additionally, self-control lends itself to wisdom, as stated in Proverbs 13:3 – “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.” With temperance over one’s speech, actions, and appetites, one can make level-headed decisions, prospering themselves and exemplifying virtues.

As Titus 2:11-12 proclaims more broadly, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Our Lord sets expectations of self-governance over fleshly whims, instead upholding moral fortitude.

By teaching children self-restraint, parents thus equip them to lead more spiritual, ethical lives while resisting society’s temptations – granting them the best opportunity to walk uprightly with the Lord.

Tips to Teach Young Children Self-Control

Preschool aged kids are still developing cognitively and emotionally. Their brains are still wiring neural connections that assist with self-regulation. As a parent, you can help build this “self-control muscle” with fun, simple activities.

Practical Activities:

  • Play games that require waiting for a turn patiently. As kids resist the urge for instant gratification, praise them for waiting properly. Over time, increase the waiting period.
  • Do breathing or counting exercises when they start feeling frustrated or having a tantrum. This teaches them to calm themselves.
  • Use a visual timer when allowing screen time or eating treats. Have kids stop the activity when the timer goes off, praising their ability to self-regulate. Slowly increase timer durations.
  • Offer rewards for accomplishing chores or objectives that require sustained focus and effort over time. This reinforces persistence and self-discipline.

The key is being consistent with these self-control building activities and offering recognition of desired behaviors.

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Building Self-Control in Older Kids

As kids grow into preteens and teenagers, here are effective ways parents can further develop their capacity for self-regulation.

Practical Activities:

  • Make contracts or written agreements defining expectations around device usage, outings with friends, or financial expenditures. The act of writing specifics down facilitates self-control and accountability.
  • Openly discuss temptations they’ll face regarding risky behaviors like substance abuse. Brainstorm strategies to avoid or deal appropriately with peer pressure. These conversations demonstrate you trust their ability to make smart choices.
  • Allow freedom to make minor daily decisions around scheduling, assignments, clothing, or hobbies. Permit them to learn from smaller mistakes rather than dictating every detail. Self-governance builds maturity.
  • Share your own struggles with self-discipline around health, work, or finances. When kids see parents self-regulating imperfectly but consistently, it powerfully motivates them to do the same.
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Make It a Family Affair

  • Institute screen free times where the whole family reads or plays board games together. Keeping everyone’s devices out of sight reduces distractions and models self-control.
  • Cook healthy recipes as a family and praise each other for eating smart. Restricting junk food intake collectively requires discipline all can share in.
  • Set unified wake up times or learning periods where everyone focuses quietly on reading or work. Hold each other accountable kindly if concentration wavers.

By making self-control practices a regular part of family culture, parents strengthen the muscle for themselves alongside providing an environment for kids to consistently build the skill too.

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Benefits for Life Success

Research clearly correlates childhood self-discipline with positive outcomes down the road. Here’s a brief overview:

  • Better health – Self-control over eating, sleeping, and activity habits prevents obesity, addiction, disease risks
  • Financial stability – Impulse control with personal budgets means smarter savings and investment decisions
  • Deeper connections – Regulating emotions allows for meaningful, lasting relationships free of drama
  • Greater purpose – Delayed gratification in pursuing education, skill building, and careers unlocks achievements
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Conclusion

Cultivating self-control is no easy task, but through God’s strength, grace, and scripture as our guide, we can overcome human desires and indulgences that lead us into sin.

As the Lord himself showed restraint against earthly kingdoms, denying Satan’s promises of power and glory, so too can parents set an example for children by demonstrating temperance in their own lives.

Then by patiently instructing kids in the biblical principles of self-regulation with loving accountability, parents grant them the tools to honor the Lord and resist the impulses of the world.

For the Bible promises that by living self-controlled, upright lives we become beacons drawing others to see God’s glory manifest in us through the fruit of unwavering faith and spiritual fortitude.

There is no greater gift parents can then provide children than equipping them to walk in the light and self-possession of God’s holy calling.

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