Life Application / Accountability
How did you intentionally contribute to your legacy this past week? What did you choose to limit or eliminate that doesn’t contribute to your legacy in a meaningful way?
How do you want to continue to live so that your legacy leads people into the presence of God?
Sermon Recap
This week we took a look at the story of Samuel, directing our focus towards his earlier/formative years found in 1 Samuel, Chapters 1-3. Even from conception, Samuel’s life was anointed. The story begins in 1 Samuel 1, where we find a barren woman named Hannah, who is petitioning in prayer before the Lord. Her prayers, filled with tears, desperation, and great desire, are to bear a son, who she vowed to dedicate to service in ministry to the Lord all the days of His life. Her prayers are answered, and she soon gives birth to her dear son, Samuel.
After Samuel is weaned, he is brought to the temple to serve under the priest Eli. Here, a humble and obedient Samuel would grow in humility and in favor both in the eyes of man and God. We see Samuel grow closer to God, and responsibility- now ready to take his place as Prophet, Judge, Seer, Priest, and Military Leader of Israel. As we look at the vital years that led Samuel to this point, we find some crucial insight into who God longs for us to be as well: a people of prevailing prayer, of nearness to His presence, and of obedience to His voice.
Key Scripture
Read through these passages together:
1 Samuel 1:13-15
1 Samuel 2: 11-36
1 Samuel 3:1-10
1 Samuel 3:19
Discussion Questions
Discuss together, pushing yourself toward transparency. The more we are authentic and humble with one another, the more we can grow in Christ.
When Hannah prayed, scripture describes it with this sense of great desperation and weeping, so much so that Hannah’s petition went beyond just her words, but the very cry of her soul. Have you ever felt this kind of desperation in prayer? Why do you think that God answered her prayer at this moment but not her previous desires for a son?
Read back through 1 Samuel 3:1-3. More than just a description of an old priest and a young servant, we see an image of the church, a reflection of the spiritual nature of Eli and Samuel. How do you see yourself, this church, and the “capital C” church reflected in these two men? Are they more like Eli or Samuel?
From early on Samuel was known as one who “ministered to the Lord”, meaning that his life was an active offering of obedience. Due to this obedience, Samuel becomes judge, priest, and would eventually appoint some of the most well known kings of his people (David and Saul). In 1 Samuel 3:19 it even says that God never allowed Samuel's words to fail. What does it look like for us to live out this type of intentional obedience today? How do we become those whose whole lives “minister to the Lord”?
Prayer
1 Samuel 2:35 says, “But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul; and I will build him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed always.” God, would my prayers not be of my own desire, but of obedience to your voice, that you may receive the glory. Teach me to live according to what is in your heart and soul. As I draw near to you daily, would your voice guide me, that I might walk in obedience, ministering to your heart with my whole life. Lord, you are my greatest desire, would my life reflect your goodness to your people.
Life Application / Accountability For The Upcoming Week
For this week, take on the challenge to be like Samuel, who’s life was defined by his ministry to the Lord. As you start each day, take the time to engage and draw near to God. Listen for Him to lead you, and live out of the place of obedience to his heart. As you pray this week, take time to pray those humble prevailing prayers, one’s that rather than being filled with eloquent words and wants, are driven by a desire to glorify the Father, and reveal His goodness to His people.
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