God Calls Samuel
Theme: Answering God’s Call
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
Get Ready: Click here to get your complete supply list for this lesson.
The Children’s Sermon:
You’ll Need:
â— Blank name tags - two per child
â— Markers
â— Pens - one per child
Do This:
SAY: At the beginning of the school year, most teachers make a name tag for
each student in the class. The teacher does that to help the students in the class
learn one another's names. ( Give each child a blank name tag and markers. Instruct
kids to write their name on the nametag and decorate it. Have kids put them on and
show them off.)
I’ve heard it said that the sweetest sound to anyone is the sound of their own
name. Doesn't it make you feel good when someone remembers your name? (Invite
kids to share about a time it made them feel good to hear someone say their names.)
Even God knows your name. Names are important to Him. In fact, I can think of
several times in the Bible when God called someone by name. In Exodus, God called
to Moses from within the burning bush. In Luke, Jesus called Zacchaeus' name,
telling him to come down from the tree. God called Paul by his given name, Saul,
before Saul became a believer, and then gave him a new name.
One of my favorite times in the Bible is when God called Samuel by name. (Give
each child another name tag and a pen this time, and have kids write “Samuel” on it,
leaving space for a few small drawings.)
Samuel's mother, Hannah, wanted a son more than anything, so she prayed and
asked God to give her one. (On the nametags, have kids draw a stick figure on her
knees to represent Hannah praying.) Hannah promised God that if He would give her
a son, she would give Him back to the LORD to serve him all the days of his life. God
gave Hannah the son she asked for and she kept her promise to God. When the boy
was old enough, she took him to the temple and presented him to Eli, the priest. So
Samuel served in the temple under Eli. (Have kids draw a small temple to show the
son would be serving God.)
One night Samuel was sleeping when he heard someone call his name. He got up
and ran to Eli. "Here I am; you called me," he said to Eli.
"I didn't call you," Eli answered, "go back to bed." So Samuel went back to bed.
(Have kids draw a bed.)
Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" Samuel jumped out of bed and went to Eli. "Here I
am; you called me."
"I didn't call you, go back to bed," Eli answered a second time.
A third time God called Samuel and Samuel got up and went to Eli. "Here I am; you
called me," he said.
Finally, Eli realized that it was God who was calling Samuel. He told Samuel, "Go and
lie down, and if He calls you again, say, 'Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."
Samuel went back to bed and sure enough, again he heard the voice of God calling,
"Samuel! Samuel!" This time Samuel answered as Eli had told him, "Speak, for your
servant is listening."
Some people think that God only calls grown-ups. But Samuel was just a young boy
when God called him. God knows your name just as He knew the name of Samuel
and God still calls boys and girls today saying, "Come, follow me." So, listen for
God's call and answer just as Samuel did, "Here I am!" (Invite kids to stick their
Samuel name tags upside-down to a leg so when they look down, they can remember
that God called Samuel and God calls them, too.)
PRAY: Dear God, today we are listening for Your call. Perhaps You have something
special for us to do. When You call, we will answer, "Here I am." In Jesus’ name,
amen.
“Samuel Rewind” Video Lesson
You’ll Need:
â— “Samuel’s Rewind” video lesson
â— Something to play the video
Do This:
Show them the video.
ASK:
â— What is something you learned from the life of Samuel?
â— How can you prepare yourself to be used by God?
Bedtime Snacks
You’ll Need:
â— Graham crackers - one per child
â— Large marshmallows - one per child
â— Fruit by the Foot
â— Paper plates - one per child
Do This:
Give each child a paper plate, a graham cracker rectangle, a large marshmallow, and
some fruit by the foot. Explain that they are going to make a bed using their supplies.
Have kids follow these steps:
â— The graham cracker will be the base.
â— The marshmallow will be the pillow at the top.
â— The Fruit by the Foot will be the covers.
â— After they create their beds, invite them to show their bed creations to others.
â— Then enjoy.
ASK:
â— What do you think about as you lie in bed at night?
â— How do you think you would react if you heard God calling your name?
SAY: Samuel was lying in his bed and heard the voice of God call out to him. That is
pretty crazy, right? Samuel wasn’t sure who was calling him at first and he was
right to go to a trusted adult. After hearing his name called three times, he learned
it was God calling out to him. That’s a night Samuel will never forget.
Complete Supply List:
â— Blank name tags - two per child
â— Markers
â— Pens or pencils - one per child
â— “Samuel’s Rewind” video lesson
â— Something to play the video
â— Graham crackers - one per child
â— Large marshmallows - one per child
â— Fruit by the Foot
â— Paper plates - one per child
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