LESSON THEME: Listen & Obey God
PASSAGE OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
1 Samuel 3:1-10 depicts young Samuel serving in the temple under Eli during a time when divine communication was rare in Israel. God calls Samuel repeatedly during the night, but Samuel initially mistakes the voice for Eli’s until the older priest recognizes God’s activity and instructs the boy on how to respond. When God calls a fourth time, Samuel answers with the receptive phrase Eli taught him: “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” This narrative marks the beginning of Samuel’s prophetic ministry and illustrates how God sovereignly initiates relationship with those He chooses. The account demonstrates both divine persistence and the value of spiritual mentorship in recognizing and responding to God’s voice.
WELCOME SENSORY BINS 6:00-6:15 p.m.
LISTENING EAR SENSORY BIN
- Sensory Bin Box
- Small musical items (bells, rattles, noise makers)
Hide small objects that make gentle sounds (bells, rattles, small toys). Children should scoop out the objects and when they make a sound share how it’s important to always be listening for different sounds. Today we are going to hear a story about a young boy who learned how to listen for God.
Alternative – have station where kids can use pipe cleaners, jingle bells, plastic eggs, and beans to create noise makers. These will be used when we sing the song.
WORSHIP JESUS THRU MUSIC: 6:20-6:30 p.m.
TRUST AND OBEY SONG
Repeat the “Trust and Obey” song and march from last week, adding the musical instruments into the parade.
We probably won’t do the song below — still debating:
“Speak, for Thy Servant Heareth”
(Based on 1 Samuel 3:1–10, KJV)
Verse 1:
Samuel was a little boy who served the Lord each day,
He lay down in the temple where he loved to work and pray.
Then God called out, “Samuel!” in the middle of the night,
He listened with his ears and heart, and sat up in the light.
Verse 2:
He ran to Eli quickly and said, “Here am I!”
But Eli didn’t call him, so he told him, “Go lie by.”
It happened two more times before the truth was shown—
That God was calling Samuel, though he had not yet known.
Verse 3:
Then Eli said to Samuel, “If He calls again,
Say, ‘Speak, for Thy servant heareth,’ and listen to Him then.”
So when God called a fourth time, Samuel knew the way—
He answered just as Eli said, and chose to obey!
Chorus:
Speak, for Thy servant heareth, Lord!
I will listen, I’ll obey Your word!
With my ears, I will hear,
With my heart, I’ll draw near—
Speak, for Thy servant heareth, Lord!
Bridge:
I want to hear You when You call,
To follow You and give my all.
Like Samuel did, I’ll choose today,
To listen close and walk Your way!
Final Chorus (soft then strong):
Speak, for Thy servant heareth, Lord!
I will listen, I’ll obey Your word!
With my ears, I will hear,
With my heart, I’ll draw near—
Speak, for Thy servant heareth, Lord!
WORSHIP JESUS THRU PRAYER: 6:30-6:40 p.m.
WHISPER A PRAYER SONG & FORM CIRCLE
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time.
Ask each kid to pray for them to be able to listen and obey this week, both their parents and God.
BIBLE STORY & CRAFT 6:40-7:00 p.m.
Items Needed
Bible
Craft Supplies (See below)
Samuel Hears God’s Voice
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Introduction
Today we’re going to learn about a boy named Samuel who heard God’s voice! This story teaches us about listening carefully and obeying God.
The boy Samuel was serving the Lord under Eli the priest. In those days, messages from the Lord were rare.
Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord.
The Lord called Samuel. Samuel ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So Samuel went and lay down.
Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'”
So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord called as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
END OF LESSON GAME
Ask the children to lie down on the floor and close their eyes. In a whisper, call each child’s name twice. As soon as the children hear their name, have them jump up and answer, “Here I am!” and then go and sit on their chair.
Continue until you have called the names of all the children.
CRAFT: Listening Ears & Obedient Hearts
Items Needed:
- Cutouts of Ears and Hearts (1 for each child)
- Crayons
- A pipe cleaner (1 per child) or popsicle sticks (2 per child)
- Glue or Tape (to attach pipe cleaner or popsicle sticks)
- Yarn
Have children color their ears and hearts. Attach the ears to popsicle sticks (or a pipecleaner) for children to put by their ears. Attach yarn to each heart so children can wear it like a necklace. Remind children to always have on their listening ears and obedient heart.
SNACK TIME: 7:00-7:10 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Coloring Page
Crayons
Snack
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks. A coloring sheet will be available for kids to color while they eat their snack.
CLOSING SENSORY BINS: 7:10-7:25 p.m.
SAMUEL’S TEMPLE PLAYDOH STATION
- Samuel’s Temple Mat
- Playdoh
Children can build the temple out of Playdoh. Add small figurines or make small people shapes to represent Samuel and Eli. Children can recreate the story scenes while playing.
DISMISSAL 7:25-7:30 p.m.
Prepare for dismissal.
Full Scripture 1 Samuel 3:1-10
And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.