The Story of Samuel
Introduction
Background Scripture
1 Samuel 1-7
Story Summary
This story begins with Hannah, Samuel's mother. Hannah was unable to have children, and in Old Testament times, that was like having a curse on you if you were a woman. She was down and out, and very distressed.
Whenever she would go to the Lord's house in Shiloh, where she worshipped, she would pray so hard for God to give her a child, Eli the priest thought she was crazy. But God showed favor to Hannah, and allowed her to have a son named Samuel. Hannah knew that it was God who gave her Samuel, so she decided to give Samuel back to the Lord and let him grow up in the Lord's house at Shiloh. So Samuel grew up under Eli, learning to serve the Lord from his earliest days. Hannah and her husband Elkanah visited Samuel each year. They would bring him a special robe that Hannah made as a gift to remember them by. God honored Hannah's sacrifice (giving back to God what he gave to her), and allowed her to have 5 more children.
One night, Samuel was sleeping and he heard someone call his name. He went over to Eli and said, "Yes, I'm here." Eli was confused because he didn't call Samuel. When it happened again, and a third time, Eli told Samuel that it might just be the Lord speaking to him. So he told Samuel to go back to bed and if it happened again, answer the Lord and ask him to speak. Sure enough, it was the Lord speaking, and Samuel was listening. That was the first time the Lord spoke to Samuel, but it wasn't the last. Samuel began to grow in favor with all of the Israelites. Samuel was the last judge of Israel, and the first prophet. In the coming weeks, we're going to learn about some other things that God told Samuel.
Why was Hannah so sad? (she could not have any children)
What gift did God give Hannah? (he allowed her to have Samuel)
What did Hannah do in return? (she gave him to the Lord, for him to serve in the Lord's house with Eli)
When did God speak to Samuel? (in the middle of the night, while he was sleeping)
How many times did he call out to Samuel? (three)
From a very young age, Samuel learned to listen to God's voice and to follow whatever God told him to do.
Will you be like Samuel and learn to listen to God speaking to you? And will you be willing to do whatever God wants you to do?
Activities
Activity 1 "Samuel's Pillow Craft"
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart :
Large White Paper
Markers
Stapler
Optional other decorations if needed (stickers, tissue paper, glue, etc...)
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Give the kids a large strip of white paper.
Staple the sides together to form a pillow as pictured above. (leave one opening for the "stuffing"
Have the kids wad up paper and use it to stuff their pillows then staple the remaining side.
Let them decorate their pillow!
Connection:
Samuel was sleeping when the Lord woke him up by saying his name!
Activity 2 "Come Here Samuel Game"
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
Pillows that the children made from activity 1 (if you want, they aren't needed)
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Have the class sit in a circle. One child will lay down in the middle of the circle and pretend to be asleep. Pick a child in the circle to say, ‘Come Here, Samuel.’ Samuel will then wake up and guess correctly then the two children will switch places and the game continues. If the child guesses incorrectly then you will say, ‘Go back to sleep’ and someone else will say ‘Come Here Samuel.’ Continue until they pick the correct child.
Connection:
Say, When the Lord called for Samuel he thought it was Eli at first. Eventually he realized that it was the Lord calling him. The Lord had an important message for Samuel.
Activity 3 "Balloon Game AND Paper Fan Craft"
Time: 20-25 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
Paper Plates (Glue two plates together to make them stronger)
Craft sticks
Tape
Balloons
Markers
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
1. Give each child a paper plate and paint stir stick.
2. Have your children write the Bible verse "And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground." 1 Samuel 3:19 on the paper plate and decorate it with the markers.
3. When they are finished decorating the paper plates have them tape a stir stick to the back of their plates.
4. Have your students blow up large balloons and write things on the balloons that God tells us to do. Help your children come up with ideas and write them on the board.
Connection:
Don't let God's words fall to the ground when He tries to speak to you!
Activity 4 "Off-Lesson Fun Games"
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
Varies depending on the game
Get the details by clicking here!
Musical Chairs
Grab the black chairs out of the closet (so that they are lighter to move around) and have the kids play musical chairs!
The 60 second game
This is a great game for settling a group down. Ask everyone to stand up and put their hands behind their back. Tell them they need to silently guess how long one minute is and sit down when they think it’s up. You do need a clock or watch so you can tell when the time is up. This game can be adjusted to a shorter period for younger children, but I’ve been surprised how well it works even with a Kindergarten group.
Cup stack races
Keep a stack of cheap plastic cups in your bag to pull out for a quick game. Two children can race each other in making the highest or biggest pyramid of upside-down cups in one minute.
Heads or tails
If you’ve got a coin handy, this is a quick and easy game that involves no skill. Children need to make their choice before the coin is flipped. They either put their hands on their head or hands on their ‘tails’ to indicate their choice. Those who guessed correctly stay standing, the rest sit down. Play a few rounds until there is a final winner.
Activity 5 "Dance it out"
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart (varies based on the game you choose):
christian just dance videos below
If they don't want to play the Christian Just Dance game they can play follow the leader.
Wrap It Up!
**Snacks can be given at this time, if needed**
-Come together and sit in a circle to talk about what they learned today. Ask them the same questions that you asked at the beginning of the day. How are their answers different now that they know more? Talk about what they can go home and tell their family. This is also a time they can update their journals (big kids only) or color the pictures (littles).
-Ask if anyone has a prayer request/praise report. Pray over requests.
-Worship time- Have the kids go find a spot to themselves and have some time with God (play the song below for around 3/5 minutes).
Worship
Energy Release!
Last Minute Filler Ideas
-Have them gather around the table and draw a picture or write a letter to their families about what they learned today.
-Play a game of some sort. (If you have the hula hoops, have them join hands in a circle and pass the hula hoop around the circle without breaking their hands)