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Ideas, Activities, and Resources for Teaching the Story of Hannah in Sunday School 

Post your ideas, activities, and resources for teaching the Story of Hannah in Sunday School.

Use the "Post Reply" button below to post your ideas for teaching the Story of Hannah in Sunday School. 
 
 Hannah's story is not often taught in Rotation Model Sunday Schools because we only cover 9 to 12 stories a year, and thus have to prioritize which stories they will choose to teach.  Some Hannah content is included in the story of Samuel here in the Lesson Exchange.
Last edited by Neil MacQueen
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Drama Ideas

 

The story of Hannah is pretty dramatic. You could break it into sections:

 

1) the servant taunting her
2) coveting a child (don't the 10 Commandments say not to covet?)
3) Her fervent prayer in the temple
4) God answers her prayer ("Ask and it will be given unto you")
5) Letting Samuel stay with the priest

You could do small vignettes of the story and discuss the scene. Before you read the story together, ask how many know it. (most won't). At the end of each scene you could ask them what they think will happen next.

 

Vignettes can be scripted skits, or posed-and-photographed tableaus where the kids decide what poses will convey the action and meaning, then dress the part.

Or, you may want to focus on just one part of the story, depending on the age group.

It's a great story with lots of possibilities.

Hope this helps!

Julie Burton

Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer

Resources for Hannah


Movies

No movie specifically on Hannah.

Video Tape Idea - You could MAKE a movie with kids as actors, or by videotaping a picture book as it is being read (new strange idea, but it works!). Use a video camera that's pointed down through a hole in a large box and aimed at the book. Open side of box to shine in lighting. Open two other holes in box for hands to move the book.  Hook up camera to TV monitor to view output.  Experiment!

Video's that include the story of Hannah

  • Samuel (by Nest video)

Description: In keeping her vow, Hannah dedicates her child to God. From his days as a young boy serving Eli, the high priest, to guiding the ancient Israelites, Samuel the prophet stands as an inspiring example of how we, too, can delight in our relationship with God. This story brings to life several episodes from the life of Samuel and invites all to discover the joy of faithful service to God. Animated 30 minutes. DVD includes 3 quiz questions sets. Ages 4-10

  • Jacob's Ladder, Episodes 5-7: Samuel - DVD  from Vision Video.

Description: The "teenpack" is looking for adventure when they discover a mysterious old lighthouse and the even more mysterious keeper, Rafael. Through the lighthouse, the young teens are transported to Bible times where they interact with timeless characters and learn of a loving God who cares for His people through all the ages. These action-packed, top quality dramas are geared to youth ages 10-15, but are great for the whole family or for classroom use. Creative, easy-to-use PDF study materials are included to help young teens apply the faith-building lessons to their lives.

Episode 5: The Invitation
Hannah has promised to give her son to God. Now that Sammy knows of his amazing birth, he must choose whether to accept God's plan for his life. Explore how free will interacts with following God's calling in this story.

Episode 6: Samuel's Destiny — Part 1
As the priest Eli's right-hand man, 13-year old Samuel works hard in the temple. Meanwhile Eli's two sons sink deeper into a life of sin. How will these contrasting choices impact the Hebrews and their covenant with God?

Episode 7: Samuel's Destiny — Part 2
As he begins to hear from God, Samuel transitions into the role of prophet. Meanwhile, the Israelites are marching into battle with the Ark of the Covenant, but without the Lord of Lords. What will it take to convince them to repent and put their faith in God?

Storybooks

  • "Hannah: The Mother Who Prayed", A Bibletime Book, by: Carine Mackenzie, Christian Focus, 1983, ISBN: 0906731100 For ages 5-9.
  • "A Mother Who Prayed", By: Leslie Santamaria, The Arch® Books series, Concordia, 2000, ISBN: 0570075661.
    This book retells the story of Hannah and Samuel (1 Sam. 1:1-28).
    - Follow up with video clip.
    - Follow up with questions and prayer activities.

Computer

  • Kid Pix 4 or the newer "3D" version

    Write it up and illustrate it in the program I call "powerpoint for kids."

    • Kid Pix 4’s creative writing and drawing tools let your students create their own multimedia pictures and slideshows about any subject.
    • Kid Pix 4 can speak out-loud over the computer speakers whatever is typed on the screen using the text tool.
    • You can import graphics, including photographs, illustrate them and add captions.
  • Let's Talk by Sunday Software
    Both of the above two software programs you can have the kids illustrate/type in Hannah's conversation with God and it will play it back on computer.

  • Fall of Jericho by SonSoft
    Write up question set and the kid's then play the game answering your questions. Always a hit and an excellent review of story.

"Let's Talk" & "Fall of Jericho" software programs are now free to the supporting members of Rotation.org!

Learn more


Last edited by Luanne Payne

An idea moved here to consolidate the topic...
Add your ideas by using REPLY.

DCPC
Posted September 25, 2007

 

Service Project


I wanted to do something that was a service type project for babies. Since Hannah prayed for a child and then made a robe for Samuel every year we decided to make the no-sew fleece blankets for children. We collected diapers and formula and baby food and had the children make the blankets in class and then delivered them to the local Salvation Army Women and children's shelter. We also learned the song of Hannah along the way.

****

Edited by volunteer to add: Many sites include photos and instructions for making no-sew fleece blankets. This one is from Joann

noSewBlanket

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Last edited by Amy Crane

Cooking Workshop Idea

 

submitted by member "Jeanine"

 

Hannah made Samuel a new robe as a gift each year to wear to the Temple.

We're going to make a "Hannah Cake in a Jar" as a gift to give to someone special who worships with us.

 

The following is a cooking workshop we used for Hannah and Samuel. It worked out very well, the children enjoyed making a gift for someone special in their life. It is relatively inexpensive to make these gift jars if you ask for donations from your congregation. 


What you will need:

Memory verse written on tag board, one 1-quart canning jar with lid per student, flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, granulated sugar, dry measuring cups, measuring spoons, funnel or paper plates to shape into a funnel, round pieces of decorative fabric, raffia, rubber bands, crazy cake baking instructions. 


Objective:

Children will discover that Hannah was a woman of strong faith. She prayed to God and her prayer was answered. Hannah made a promise to God which she kept. Samuel was a prophet chosen by the Lord. He was faithful to God and obeyed his laws. Hannah showed her love and honor by giving a gift.

Scripture Reference:

Please read the scripture references before beginning this unit. 1 Samuel 1-4:1. This Bible lesson begins with Hannah barren, then praying to God for a son. She is given Samuel whom she gives back to the Lord. We will stop where God speaks to Samuel and Samuel is proclaimed a prophet of the Lord. This scripture is quite long and not all of it is appropriate to present to a children’s Sunday school class. Therefore most of your Bible story lessons will be with edited text or just touching on the main events of this scripture. 


Memory Verse Study

Matthew 21:22 “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Please spend about 5 min. of class time learning this verse. Have students play Group Response Memory Verse Game. Split the class into two groups. Lead the first group in saying the first part of the verse. Have the second group respond with the rest of the verse. After a few times, have the groups switch phrases. After a few more times, have the children say the whole verse. 

 

Ask students if they know if the book of Matthew is in the Old or New Testament? (New) Review the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. How does this memory verse relate to our Bible lesson? (Hannah prayed to God for a son and she received Samuel.) A question you may receive from students regarding this verse:


• “I prayed for something and didn’t receive it”

– God hears all of ours prayers but he doesn’t always answer them the way we would like him to. When we ask God for something sometimes his answer is “no” or “wait.”

 



Lesson:

 

Ask: How many of you know what you want to do for a living when you get older? Today we have a choice as to what we are going to do when we grow up. In Bible times that wasn’t always the case. Today we’re going to learn about a boy named Samuel who was chosen by God to be a prophet. Can anyone tell me what a prophet is? (Someone whom God uses to talk to his people through. Someone whom God uses to do his work.) I am going to read you today’s Bible story, it starts before Samuel is born. Today’s Bible lesson is found in First Samuel. Is 1 Samuel found in the Old or New Testament? 

Take turns reading the following summary in a lively way as if reading a favorite story. It is based on "The Message" version of scripture.

1 Samuel 1 - : 4 -1

from the Message by Eugene H. Peterson

Hannah Pours Out Her Heart to God

1 There once was a man whose name was Elkanah. 2 He had two wives. The first was Hannah; the second was Peninnah. Peninnah had children; Hannah did not. GOD had not given Hannah any children, because of this Hannah was very sad. Peninnah teased Hannah cruelly, this went on year after year. One day Hannah was in the temple crying. 
10 Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to GOD and cried and cried.

 

11 Then she made a vow:  

Oh, GOD, 
Hear my prayer, 
Look upon my misery,
Remember me, 
Please give me a son. 
If you do, then I will give him to you. 

As Hannah prayed, the temple priest, Eli was watching her closely. 13Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli thought that she was drunk.
14 He approached her and said, "You're drunk! Sober up, woman!" 
15 Hannah said, "Oh no, sir--please! I haven't been drinking. The only thing I've been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to GOD. 17 Eli answered her, "Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him." 18 "Think well of me--and pray for me!" she said, and went on her way. 20 Before the year was out, Hannah had given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, "I asked GOD for him." 
21 Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, took his family to Shiloh to worship GOD once a year. 22 When it was time, Hannah didn't go. She told her husband, "After the child is weaned, I'll bring him myself and present him before GOD-and that's where he'll stay, for good." 
23 Elkanah said to his wife, "Do what you think is best.”
So she did. Hannah stayed home with her son and when it was time she took him to Shiloh and presented him to Eli the priest. 
26 Hannah said, "Excuse me, sir. Would you believe that I'm the very woman who was standing before you at this very spot, praying to GOD? 27 I prayed for this child, and GOD gave me what I asked for. 28 And now I have dedicated him to GOD for life." 
Then and there, they worshiped GOD.

1 Then Hannah prayed a beautiful prayer. 

I'm bursting with good-news! I'm walking on air. 
I'm dancing my salvation. 
2 Nothing and no one is holy like GOD, 
6 GOD brings death and GOD brings life. 
9 He protectively cares for his faithful friends. 

After she prayed, Hannah left, and the boy stayed and served GOD in the company of Eli the priest. 

Every year Hannah returned to the temple with a new little robe that she made him. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and Hannah, saying, "GOD give you children to replace this child you have dedicated to GOD." 

21 GOD blessed Hannah. She had three more sons and two daughters! The boy Samuel stayed at the temple and grew up with GOD. 

Ask the following questions:


1. Hannah had one of the most difficult decisions to make about her son Samuel, to give her son to God. Why did she do this? (Because she made a promise to God.)


2. What did God do for Hannah in return for keeping her promise and giving up Samuel? (He gave her more children, three sons and two daughters.)

Life Application:

Samuel was twelve years old when he went to live with Eli at the temple. How do you think Samuel felt when he was brought to the temple to live? How do you think Hannah felt? Hannah visited Samuel once a year and gave him a gift. What was that gift? (Each year Hannah brought him a new little robe.) Even though Hannah had more children after Samuel, she never forgot the little boy she brought to the temple. By bringing Samuel the gift of a new robe each year, Hannah showed Samuel how much she loved and cared for him. Samuel’s entire life was devoted to serving God at a very young age. Do you think God uses young people to do his work today? Do you think God uses you? What could you do to work for and honor God? 

 

How is one of your parents like Hannah in their hope that you will serve God?

Closing Prayer: Dear God, help us to be filled with love and devotion for you. Help us to honor your name and to do your good works. Amen. 

Preparing for the Hannah Cake:

 

What You Will Need:

 

  • One (1-quart) canning jar per student
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Salt
  • Baking powder
  • Sugar
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Funnel or a paper plate made to form a funnel to help students put the ingredients into their jars.
  •  Canning lid and ring.
  • Round pieces of decorative fabric
  • Raffia
  • Instruction tags for gift jars
  • Rubber bands


What You Will Do:

 

1. Give each student a clean 1-quart canning jar. 

 

2. Add the ingredients below to jar in order in layers starting with the flour and ending with the sugar.


• 2 c. flour
• 2/3 c. cocoa powder
• ¾ tsp. salt
• 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/3 c. granulated sugar

 

3. Secure with a lid. 

 

4. Have students use a piece of round fabric and raffia to decorate the top of the jar. You may need to use a rubber band at first to help keep the fabric in place while you put the raffia around the lid of the jar. Attach the baking instructions to the jar using the raffia.


Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer

Hannah Art Idea - make robes

For our Art Workshop, I am going to focus on the robes Hannah made for her son every year. I was blessed to find big bolts of fabric at a thrift store to allow the kids to make a sleeveless robe. You can buy inexpensive fabric by the bolt from a wholesale fabric store. I don't have a pattern, I just used butcher paper and laid a mans t-shirt on it to make a one size fits all robe and added length to it to make a pattern. Each child will need 2 pieces. One piece will need to be cut in half straight up the middle, creating the front opening.  The other piece will be the back of the robe. If you can't find a t-shirt knit type fabric, you will need pinking shears to cut the pieces out to decrease the raveling. 

We will do the sewing for the younger children and allow them to help as much as possible, but 1st grade and up, can do more of the sewing...you control the foot peddle. Show them as you do the shoulder pieces and allow them to help sew the two side pieces. No sleeves, no hemming. Be sure arm holes are large enough so that it will fit all kids. Or, you can use a mans shirt as a pattern for the older kids and a ladies shirt for the younger kids. 

You may also choose to make simple belts ahead of time if you want to use them, though these robes don't really need belts. You can adjust the length of the robe pattern when cutting them out ahead of time so you can cute shorter robes for younger shorter kids. 

There are a lot of options you can do with this type of project. 

1. You can pre-sew the robes and allow the kids to write the memory verse on the back with fabric paint pens, decorate with buttons, glue on Ric rack, with fabric glue, etc...

Last edited by Luanne Payne

Another less expensive option is to have kids bring a solid (light color) t-shirt and then all you need to do is split it up the front for an opening and use fabric paint pens to write the memory verse on the back, decorates with paint, buttons, trimmings, etc...as desired. 

The stories of Hanna and Samuel are found in the SunScool Bible App for Kids.

Hannah, Eli, and Samuel in the SunScool Bible App

They are found in the "Ruth and Samuel" menu section of the app.

If you select Level 1 or 2:

  • C5-3: Hannah prays to God (Hanna, Eli, birth of Samuel)
    1 Samuel 1
  • C5-4: God calls Samuel
    1 Samuel 1-3

If you select Level 3 or 4 for readers/older kids:

  • C6-1 : Praying to God, Hannah and Samuel
    1 Samuel 1:1-28;
  • C6-2 : Growing before God
    1 Samuel 2:1-36; 4:11
  • C6-3 : Listening to God (Samuel, Eli)
  • 1 Samuel 3:1-21
    C6-4 : Working for God (Samuel finds a king)
    1 Samuel 8:1-10; 9:1-27; 10:1; 11:1-13;

The App is free, ecumenical, and can be downloaded for use on tablets, smartphones, Windows, and Mac!    Get the download link and look up the story you need in our Outline of all 170+ stories in SunScool. That page also includes app helps.

SunScool Bible App for Kids

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