13
Samuel Listens
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Scripture
Focus
God talked to Samuel; Samuel listened.
Faith Nurture Goals
- Tell what Samuel said when God talked to him.
- Understand how God talks to us today.
- Thank God for loving us and talking to us.
Session Outline
Leader Reflection
Preparing to Tell God's Story
Samuel was a man "for such a time as this." The situation he found himself in was grim. Chapter 2 reports the deplorable spiritual and moral conditions that infected the family of Eli, the priest at Shiloh. His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were so corrupt that they stole from the sacrifices that people gave to God. And, as if that weren't enough, they slept with the women who served at the "tent of meeting" (the tabernacle---God's holy dwelling place). And all the while, Eli, who was becoming physically blind, also turned a blind eye toward his sons' behavior. Chapter 3 begins with the dire report that "in those days the word of the Lord was rare."
Was God silent? Had God turned his back on Israel? No, the problem was that the people did not offer a listening heart---except for one young boy.
Samuel had gone to bed "where the ark of God was"---the most sacred place. His job was evidently to guard "the lamp of God" (probably the candlestick that was part of the tabernacle furnishings) and keep it from going out. "Then the Lord called Samuel" (v. 4). Was it a voice, a movement, a sound? We don't know. But it was enough that Samuel dutifully got up to see if old Eli had summoned him, saying, "Here I am; you called me." But no, Eli had not called.
The writer explains the problem. It was not that Samuel was obtuse or reticent. Rather, "Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him" (v. 7).
Three times this happened, and finally even Eli, the old priest who had let Israel sink so far spiritually, got the message. This time he instructed Samuel to respond, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."
And then things got very close and personal. The Lord didn't just speak to Samuel. Rather, "The Lord came and stood there"---an even more baffling and mysterious appearance. Samuel replied as Eli had told him: "Speak, for your servant is listening."
This is often as far as the story goes, especially for young children, for the message Samuel heard from the Lord that night hardly seems suitable for young ears. It was a message of unmitigated judgment against Eli and his family. But the Lord revealed it to young Samuel, who, in his long life, would be the bearer of many difficult messages to Israel, as well as words of blessing.
Of course, when morning came, Samuel was afraid to meet Eli. He didn't want to convey a terrible message to a man he had grown to care about. But Eli knew the word of the Lord had come to Samuel. It's touching and ironic that this man whose sons were renegades called young Samuel "my son."
"What was it he said to you?" asked Eli.He threatened Samuel with God's judgment if he withheld anything. Samuel told him everything. It's as though Eli knew what was coming. His words are chilling and powerful: "He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes."
In Samuel, God called a "listener" he could trust---"and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground." Every word the Lord gave Samuel concerning Eli came true.
Wondering
What did Samuel hear? A voice? A sense of inner calling?
Was Eli in any way responsible for his sons’ behavior?
How do you listen for God’s voice?
Teaching
Some people might think that little ones can’t really listen to and respond to God yet. But in teaching this story about Samuel, we’re laying the foundation for their understanding that God does speak to us through his Word—and God wants us to listen.
Every time leaders show their group where God’s story is found in the Bible, they’re reinforcing the fact that it’s GOD’S story, God’s words to us. Adding a verbal reminder that God is happy when we listen to him is helpful too.
Steps
Materials
Story booklet from session 12
Gather your arriving children around you and tell them that today’s story from the Bible is about good listening. Ask everyone how their ears are doing today. What sounds did they hear this morning—at home, on the way to church, inside the building? Invite them to play a listening game with you to make sure everyone’s ears are in good working order. Then play track 22 (“Listening Game”) from your CD and enjoy identifying the sounds together. Compliment the kids on their good ears and their great listening.
Remind everyone that God listens too—God listens to us! Show the group the story booklet from the last session (“A Baby for Hannah”) to jog their memories. Look at the illustrations together, encouraging the children to supply the story. Compliment the group on how well they listened to Hannah’s story last week. Emphasize the way God listened to Hannah’s prayer for a son. Tell everyone again that God listens to us too.
Repeat the prayer (and the motions) that you introduced last time:
Loving God, to you we to say: (fold hands)
We’re glad you hear us when we pray. (bow head)
We love you, Lord. We need your care (hands over heart)
every day—and everywhere. (hold hands out wide)
Amen.
Re
formed
formedAgain in this story we realize that it is always God who takes the initiative to move his plan for salvation along. In Samuel’s time, and today, God calls and equips people to listen to his voice and become his spokespersons in the world.
Materials
Samuel/Eli puppet (leader’s resources)
If you’ve been sitting for a while, stand up with the children and play a quick round of “Simon Says” to get the wiggles out. Ask everyone to listen carefully—and to do what Simon says. Use your last command to settle the group around you (“Simon says find a good place on the floor for listening to God’s story!”). Tell everyone that the story for today is about a child—like them—who listened to God.
Show the children where today’s story is found in your Bible and say your usual story call together:
This is the Bible, let’s open it wide. (hands together, palms up, like a book)
Listen to God’s story that’s told inside! (hands behind ears, listening)
Tell the children that today’s story is about Hannah’s baby, Samuel, but in this story he’s an older boy. Use the two-sided puppet to tell Samuel’s story to the group.
Baby Samuel grew and grew and grew, until he was a fine boy. (Show Samuel.) When he was old enough, his mother, Hannah, brought Samuel back to the temple to live with old Eli, the priest. (Show Eli.) Samuel’s job was to help Eli with the work around the temple.
One night, Samuel said goodnight to Eli and lay down to sleep. (Lay Samuel down to sleep.) But just as he fell asleep, there came a voice. “Samuel, Samuel!” said the voice in the dark. Samuel sat up in bed (demonstrate). Who was that voice? And why was it calling to him? Maybe it’s Eli, thought Samuel.
Samuel jumped up and ran to old Eli. (Show Eli.) He looked at Eli and said, “I’m here! Did you call me?”
But Eli shook his head (demonstrate) and said, “I didn’t call you, Samuel. Go back to bed, my little friend.”
(Settle Samuel down again.) But Samuel heard the voice again: “Samuel! Samuel!”
You can guess what Samuel did—that’s right! He went to find Eli again. (Show Eli.) And again Eli said, “I didn’t call you, Samuel. Go back to bed.”
(Settle Samuel down again.) Samuel went back to sleep again. But, again, there was that voice: “Samuel! Samuel!” And again, Samuel ran to find Eli (demonstrate).
(Show Eli.) This time Eli said, “I didn’t call you, my son. But I think I know whose voice you heard calling. It was God, Samuel. Go lie down— and when you hear the voice again, say, “‘Speak, Lord! I’m listening to you.’”
(Settle Samuel down again.) “Samuel! Samuel!” God’s voice called again. And this time Samuel didn’t run to find Eli. He just sat up in bed (demonstrate) and said, “Speak, Lord. I’m listening to you!”
God was happy with Samuel’s answer. God talked to Samuel that night, because God had important things to tell him. And Samuel listened!
Materials
Towels or carpet squares
Song: “Be Still and Know”
Song: “God Made Me”
Song: “Head, Shoulders, Knees, Toes”
Spend some time playing your way into the story of Samuel with the children. Tell them you’ll pretend to be Eli. Then give each one a towel (or carpet square) for a “bed.” Ask everyone to pretend to be Samuel by finding a place to spread their towels, and “falling asleep” somewhere in your room. Turn out the lights and play “Be Still and Know” (track 6) from your CD as the children “sleep.” After they’ve quieted, pause the song and say in a loud voice, “Samuel! Samuel!” Ask the children to run to you and repeat Samuel’s response. Have them lie down, then repeat the process. Repeat it one more time, this time telling them to go back to bed, listen for the voice, and say, “Speak, Lord. I’m listening to you!”
After you’re done, pile up your “beds” in the center of your room and dance and sing to the children’s favorite songs. (Be sure to include “God Made Me” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” CD tracks 4 and 1.) Remind the children again that they are God’s children. God loves and cares for them just as God loved and cared for Samuel, and God loves it when we listen to his words in the Bible.
Faith Modeling
Bring your own Bible along today. Show the children where you’ve marked verses that are important to you, and tell them how you listen to God by making the Bible and its message an important part of your daily life.
Materials
Bible
Children's books
Show and Share cards, session 13
Spend your closing minutes talking about how we listen to God today—even though we don’t usually hear God’s voice in the night, as Samuel did. Pass around a Bible for the children to hold. Remind them that all the words we read in the Bible are God’s words to us, and all of the stories are stories God wants us to hear. Listening to God’s stories is like listening to God.
Pass around some other storybooks the children enjoy too. Then ask the kids to stack the books in the center of your circle, saving the Bible for last and placing it on top of the pile.
Close with a brief prayer, thanking God for loving each child in the group (mention them by name) and for talking to us in the Bible. Ask God to help all of you be especially good listeners this week. Send the children home with their Show and Share cards.
Easy Extras
Time
10 minutes
Materials
none needed
This activity can be substituted for step 1.
Here’s another listening game you might choose to play with the children as you introduce today’s lesson about Samuel. Gather the kids in a circle around you and sit on the floor. Invite a volunteer who thinks he is a very good listener to sit in the center of the circle, close his eyes tight, and put his head down so he can’t see. Quietly invite another volunteer to say to your listener in the center, “Good morning, [name]!” The child in the center can then open his eyes and identify the one who said, “Good morning!” (Play until each child has had a turn to be a listener.)
Time
10 minutes
Materials
construction paper, felt, Samuel cutouts printable page, glue sticks, markers
If the children in your group enjoy making story pictures to take home, provide half-sheets of construction paper, 3" x 5" (8 x 13 cm) pieces of felt, cutouts of Samuel from the printable page, washable markers, and glue sticks. Write the caption “Samuel! Samuel!” on the lower edge of each background and help the children color their Samuel cutouts. As the children color Samuel, glue the left and right edges of a felt piece to each child’s background, leaving the top side open so children can tuck Samuel into “bed.” To simplify the process, glue the felt on ahead of time or use tape instead of glue so that children don't have to wait for the glue to dry. Help the kids tuck Samuel under his covers—and remove him as he responds to God’s voice. Encourage the kids to use their pictures to tell Samuel’s story to their families.
Time
10 minutes
Materials
blanket
If you happen to teach this session on a warm, sunshiny day, take a blanket outdoors and spend a few minutes enjoying the beauties of God’s world (another way God speaks to us). Spread a blanket, gather on it, and close your eyes. Use your ears to listen to the sounds all around you. See how many sounds the children can identify. On your way back, use your eyes to find as many of God’s created wonders as you can. When you get back to your room, make a list of all the things you saw and listened to.
Time
10 minutes
Materials
posterboard or large sheet of paper, markers, tape
If you began a prayer list poster last week, revisit it today. Pray for the needs you’ve pictured—and add more as the children suggest them.