Introduction:
I want to tell a true story that happened over 3,000 years ago. The people of Israel had entered the area we now call the country of Israel about 300 years prior. In those days the people of Israel had a special box from God which held the laws of God and was very holy. This special box was kept in the temple.
The Call of Samuel
As a young boy, Samuel was Eli the Priest’s helper. At that time, God didn’t speak to people very often. Eli was going blind and laying down in his place. The special lamp of God was still burning, and Samuel was sleeping in the place where the Holy Box of God was kept.
Then God called “Samuel!”
And he answered, “here I am, you called me” and he ran to Eli.
Eli said, “I didn’t call you, go back to sleep”.
So Samuel went back and lied down. And God called again, “Samuel!”
Samuel got up, went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Eli answered, “I didn’t call you my son; go back to sleep”
Now Samuel didn’t yet know God and God had not spoken directly to him. God called to Samuel a third time. And Samuel went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me”.
Then Eli realized that it was God that was calling the boy. So Eli instructed him, “Go, back and lie down. And if you hear God calling you, you should say, “Speak, God, for your servant is listening.” So, Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Then, God came and stood and called to Samuel as he had done before; “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel answered, “Speak, God, your servant is listening.”
Ask for a volunteer to re-tell the story.
Applaud our brave volunteer.
Lead through the story
What was the problem/issue in this story. (Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice)?
As a young boy, Samuel was Eli the Priest’s helper. At that time, God didn’t speak to people very often. Eli was going blind and laying down in his place. The special lamp of God was still burning, and Samuel was sleeping in the place where the Holy Box of God was kept.
What did Eli the Priest do? What choices did Eli have? What was the impact and results of the choice he did make? What can we learn about God?
What did Samuel do? What choices did Samuel have? What was the impact and the results of the choice he did make? What can we learn about God?
Then God called “Samuel!”
And he answered, “here I am, you called me” and he ran to Eli.
Eli said, “I didn’t call you, go back to sleep”.
So Samuel went back and lied down. And God called again, “Samuel!”
Samuel got up, went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Eli answered, “I didn’t call you my son; go back to sleep”
Now Samuel didn’t yet know God and God had not spoken directly to him. God called to Samuel a third time. And Samuel went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me”.
Then Eli realized that it was God that was calling the boy. So Eli instructed him, “Go, back and lie down. And if you hear God calling you, you should say, “Speak, God, for your servant is listening.” So, Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Then, God came and stood and called to Samuel as he had done before; “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel answered, “Speak, God, your servant is listening.”
What did Eli the Priest do? What choices did Eli have? What was the impact and results of the choice he did make? What can we learn about God?
What did Samuel do? What choices did Samuel have? What was the impact and the results of the choice he did make? What can we learn about God?
SPIRITUAL OBSERVATION QUESTIONS:
- What did Samuel do to align himself and be used of God?
- Why did God call to the young boy (Samuel) and not to Eli the Priest? (To come into a high position, God starts early to train and prepare)
- How did Eli help prepare Samuel for the future?
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS?
- What can we align/position ourselves for God’s use?
- What about your children or your nieces/nephews, have you observed how they have been trained? (A teacher often has children who become a teacher also. A Fisherman, often has children who become fishermen also. Their children are surrounded by those experienced in the field and give them opportunities to practice in the profession at young ages, so when they grow up they are ready for the profession. If we want to be ready for God we should position ourselves)
- How do we prepare others for the future? How were you prepared for your future?
