Maybe you remember the lines of the song “I the Lord of Sea and Sky” (or “Here I am Lord”). That song recalls the story of young Samuel who is called from his sleep to speak and act on God’s behalf for the people of Israel. But how well do we listen, and even more, how well do we respond today when God still rouses us to action?
Worship this week – Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship
10:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship
Education and fellowship at 9:30 a.m.
October 13, 2013
1 Samuel 3:1-21
Key Verse: “Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”
1 Samuel 3:10
Time: about 1000 BCE
Background: God led the Israelites for many, many years through the guidance of God’s judges and prophets. One such prophet was Samuel.
Samuel was born as a gift from God to Hannah, Samuel’s mother. Hannah was barren and prayed to God for a child. God heard her prayer and gave her Samuel. In thanks, Hannah gave Samuel back to God by allowing him to live and grow up in the temple.
While in the temple, Samuel was called in the middle of the night by God. Samuel didn’t know God yet, so he didn’t recognize that it was God calling. He thought it was his mentor, Eli, calling. Eli recognized it was God calling, and led Samuel to respond accordingly.
Community: Who are the people in your community in whom people place their trust? Are they community leaders? Politicians? Pastors? Celebrities? How does this shape how your community functions? How might your community be more intentional about whose voices they listen to?
At Home: Where do you hear God speaking to you? What does God say to you? How will you respond? Do one thing each day this week to create time and space to listen for God.
Read This Week:
Monday, Oct 14, The Ark of God Captured, 1 Samuel 4:1-11
Tuesday, Oct 15, Philistines and the Ark, 1 Samuel 5:1-12
Wednesday, Oct 16, The Ark Returned, 1 Samuel 6:1-16
Thursday, Oct 17, Israel Demands a King, 1 Samuel 8:1-18
Friday, Oct 18, Samuel Anoints Saul as King, 1 Samuel 9:27-10:8
Saturday, Oct 19, Saul Rejected as King, 1 Samuel 15:10-34
