Single lesson
Shamgar's Brief Deliverance
Judges 3:31
This lesson helps children read one very short Bible account carefully. They will notice the order of the verse, identify who is named, describe Shamgar’s action, and state the result for Israel.
Before you teach
Judges 3:31 is a brief report about Shamgar. In one verse, it names him as the son of Anath, says he struck six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad, and ends by saying, “He also saved Israel.”
Students will be able to retell Judges 3:31 in order by naming Shamgar, describing his action, and stating the result for Israel.
Welcome: A very short account
5 minTell the children they will study one short Bible verse. Explain that even one verse can give important details. Ask them to listen for three parts as the verse is read: the person named, the action reported, and the result at the end.
Judges 3:31
Read and explain: Follow the order
7 minRead Judges 3:31 slowly twice. Show the order of the words in the verse: it first names “Shamgar the son of Anath”, then says he struck six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad, and then says, “He also saved Israel.” Keep the explanation close to those words.
Judges 3:31
Discuss: What is said, and what is not said
6 minHelp the children sort the verse into three parts: who, action, and result. Point out that the verse tells what Shamgar did and what happened for Israel. It does not explain his reasons or add extra background, so the class should stay with what the verse says.
Judges 3:31
Make and respond: Sequence cards
8 minGive children three small cards to draw or label: “Shamgar”, “struck six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad”, and “saved Israel”. Children place the cards in order and retell the verse to a partner, using the wording of Judges 3:31 as closely as they can.
Judges 3:31
Closing: Repeat the action and the outcome
4 minReview the verse together once more. Invite children to say one short sentence from the verse, such as “Shamgar the son of Anath” or “He also saved Israel.” Finish by reminding them that Judges 3:31 says, “He also saved Israel,” and it says this briefly.
Judges 3:31
Questions to explore
Who is named in this verse, and how is he identified?
Look at the opening words, which name Shamgar and identify him as the son of Anath.
Judges 3:31
What action does the verse say Shamgar did?
Use the middle part of the verse and answer with the details it gives about the Philistines and the ox goad.
Judges 3:31
What result does the verse give at the end?
Notice the final words, which state what the verse says happened for Israel.
Judges 3:31
Make, think or respond
Shamgar Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or textas
- scissors
Try it together
- Cut or tear paper into three cards for each child or pair.
- On the cards, write or draw these three parts: Shamgar; struck six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; saved Israel.
- Mix the cards and ask children to place them in the order of the verse.
- Let each child or pair retell Judges 3:31 using the cards in order.
This activity helps children sequence the parts of Judges 3:31 and remember the action and outcome named in the verse.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the three card labels for them and let them match simple pictures to each part of the verse.
- For stronger readers, ask them to copy the whole verse and underline the person, action, and result in different colours.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “God, thank you for the Bible. Please help us read carefully and remember what Judges 3:31 says.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Judges 3
31 After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad. He also saved Israel.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.