Scripture Reference: I Samuel 3: 1-21

Video: “Samuel, the Boy Prophet” – Nest Family Entertainment – 30 minutes

Discussion:

• Why did Elkanah leave town with his family and go to worship at the Temple/Tabernacle? All male Israelites were commanded to worship at the tabernacle for three feasts every year – It was their custom (This next info is for the teacher) 

#1) Passover/feast of unleavened bread, celebrated how God ‘passed over’ the Hebrew houses in Egypt 
#2) Feast of Weeks/Feast of Harvest/Pentecost, celebrating the end of the harvest, this was the holiday being observed in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit came in power (Acts 2) 
#3) Feast of Tabernacles/Feast of Booths/Feast of Ingathering, celebrated during the harvest season to remember Israel’s wandering in the wilderness, people lived in tents or booths

• Hannah went to the Tabernacle to pray. Why did she do that? Why not kneel down and pray wherever she was? Maybe she wanted to get away from Peninnah – be alone – not have distractions – make it feel more holy/special
• Where do you pray?
• Where can you pray? Anywhere – in a crowd – by yourself – all the time
• Do you think it was hard for Hannah to give her son to God and leave him at the temple? 

Yes – her only son, only see him yearly, he was so young/probably only 3 years old, 
No – she knew God would take care of him, trusted God, 
Can you imagine someone coming up to Pastor _______ and giving him their son to raise?

Samuel was just a boy. He ate and slept at the church. He was dedicated to serve God all of his life. Samuel would have performed simple tasks, such as cleaning and running errands for the priest, Eli. 

• When the Lord called to Samuel, who did Samuel think was calling him? What was his response? Eli, the priest – ‘Here I am, you called me’ (what a great servant to respond right away and offer himself – here I am!)
• After the third time of God calling to Samuel, Eli realized it was the Lord calling. What did Eli suggest for Samuel to say? ‘Speak, for your servant is listening’ (What a great servant to be ready to listen and do what the Lord wants)

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Written by Rachel Haugland – References: The NIV Quest Study Bible, The Living Bible, The Today’s English Version Bible, Illustrated Bible Dictionary/George Knight