Category Archives: Samson

Time

10 minutes

Description

This fun icebreaker can be an energizing way to get participants going, or you can use it to select people for certain activities.  It’s the familiar game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with a few twists.  This game is not played with just the hands – it’s a full-body activity.  And instead of using Rock, Paper and Scissors, participants act out Samson, Delilah and the Lion.

Scriptures

Judges 13-16 (but particularly 14:5-6 and chapter 16)

Materials

None

Preparation

None

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

• “Who knows how to play ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors?’”  (Even if some people know, you will need to give the full instructions if anyone is unfamiliar with the rules.)
• “’Rock, Paper, Scissors’ is a fun game of competition.”
• “Here’s how it works: two people compete to see who can beat the other.”
• “After counting to three, each person chooses either ‘rock,’ ‘paper’ or ‘scissors.’”
• “If both players choose the same thing, it’s a tie.”
• “If players choose differently, then ‘rock’ beats ‘scissors,’ because a rock could break a pair of scissors.”
• “’Scissors’ beats ‘paper,’ because a pair of scissors could cut the paper.”
• “’Paper’ beats ‘rock,’ because a piece of paper could cover a rock.”
• “Does that make sense to everyone?”
• “’Rock’ beats ‘scissors;’ ‘scissors’ beats ‘paper;’ ‘paper’ beats ‘rock.’”  (If you need to, show them how to play the game with their hands.  Each player counts to three, and on “three” makes the sign for either ‘rock’ (balled fist), ‘scissors’ (separated index and middle fingers – like making “bunny ears”), or ‘paper’ (open hand).  Play a few rounds.)
• “Now, I want to show you a new way to play.”
• “Instead of using just your hands, we are going to use your entire bodies, and we’re going to use it to tell part of the story of Samson.”
• “It works like this: in each round, you can choose to be Samson, Delilah or the Lion.”
• “If you are Samson, you grunt and make a ‘muscle-man’ pose like this.”  (Demonstrate the pose by flexing your muscles.)
• “If you are Delilah, you say, “Oooh, la, la,” put your hands on your hips and then shake your hips back and forth.”  (Demonstrate.)
• “If you are the Lion, you “ROOOOOAAAAAR!’ show your fangs and your claws.”  (Demonstrate.)
• “Samson beats the Lion; the Lion beats Delilah, and Delilah beats Samson.”
• “Want to try?”
• “Okay, everyone find a partner, and stand back-to-back.”
• “I’m going to count to three.”
• “When I get to three, both of you should jump around to face the other person and make both the sound and noise for either Samson, Delilah or the Lion.”
• “ONE – TWO – THREE!”  (Do one or two rounds to make sure they get it.  Then, start eliminating players that lose.  If two players tie (choose the same strategy), both are out.  This will make sure that you always have an even number of people.  If you start with an uneven number of people, you can join the game until you are eliminated.)