1 Samuel 3:1-14
Series Key Verse: “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39 (p.753)
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (p.863)
- We Are Called.
- Live trustworthy.
“The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God.” 1 Samuel 3:3 (p.213)
“(They)…must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.” Titus 2:10 (p.917)
- Listen carefully.
“And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel replied, ‘Speak, your servant is listening.’” 1 Samuel 3:10 (p.213)
“You are God’s building. Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful.” 1 Corinthians 3:9–10 (p.871)
- Obey completely.
“So Samuel told Eli everything; he didn’t hold anything back. ‘It is the Lord’s will,’ Eli replied. ‘Let him do what he thinks best.’” 1 Samuel 3:18 (p.213)
“So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:19 (p.736)
My Next Step This Week: __ I will pray daily this week as Samuel did: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” Matthew 28:20a (p.760)
Discussion/Groups Guide Belong – Part 3
“The Lord Speaks To Samuel”
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion and study of the Weekend Talk. Use this also as a discussion guide with your family and friends.
Conversation Starters
- Talking Heads had a hit with ‘Road to Nowhere’ in 1985. Have you found yourself working for or being part of an organization where no one really knew the direction they were going?
- How did you feel about it and did you stay with the organization?
- Discuss a time in your life when you were sure you were on the right path. How did that impact other areas of your life?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Weekend Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out to you, challenged you, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
Our One Thing: We Are Called.
- What does it mean to be called? See Romans 8:28.
- How does calling play into purpose?
Series Memory Verse: Matthew 22:37-40 (p.753)
- What relevance to our “calling” does The Great Commandment have?
One Voice Bible Story Background: 1 Samuel 3:1-14 (p.213) – The Lord speaks to Samuel
- Read through the passage.
- Eli, the priest, and his sons were disobedient to the Lord. Do you think this had anything to do with Eli’s failure to recognize the voice speaking to Samuel?
- When have you missed God’s direction in your life? Was it because you weren’t listening? Or maybe you didn’t know how to listen?
- How did Samuel respond to God?
Application: As we seek to apply the truths of God’s Word to our lives today, we will see how we can know and live within the purpose and calling God has for all of us who make up His Church.
- Live trustworthy. 1 Samuel 3:3 (p.213); 1 Timothy 2:10 (p.911)
- How does this play out for you?
- With what are you entrusted? What happens when you violate that trust?
- What is the result Paul speaks to Timothy about? What does it mean to “make attractive” the teaching?
- Listen carefully. 1 Samuel 3:10 (p.213); 1 Corinthians 3:9-10 (p.871)
- Would you rather be disagreed with or misunderstood?
- How was it different now that Samuel was ready to properly listen?
- Who or what is building on your “foundation?”
- Obey completely. 1 Samuel 3:18 (p.213); Matthew 5:19 (p.736)
- Have you ever put together a great plan that you knew would work, but was never implemented?
- How good are God’s plans for us if we do not obey them?
- When have you obeyed—but not completely? Or maybe you’ve seen it in your kids?
- Read Matthew 28:20a (p.760).
- What are we teaching these new disciples?
Digging Deeper
Samuel is a young boy whose heart was pure, unlike Eli’s sons (1 Samuel 2:12-36). Although they held a privileged position, they abused it. They were called to be priests but chose to follow their own path, not God’s. Are there any lessons we can take away from the way Eli dealt with his sons compared to how he dealt with Samuel? You may wish to go back to read 1 Samuel chapters 1-3.
We saw how important it is to listen carefully. Take a look at the following verses which advise us to do something carefully or to be careful Which of them speak to you personally and why do you think the word carefully or careful is used? Pray them back to God as you ask Him to help you carefully listen and live in His calling.
- Ezekiel 36:27, 1 Corinthians 15:34, Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 5:10, 15, Hebrews 3:12, James 1:25
My Next Step This Week
___I will pray daily as Samuel did: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”