As teenagers, you are navigating through a crucial stage of life where you are discovering your identity and purpose. In the midst of all the noise and distractions, it is essential to learn how to hear God’s voice. Just like Samuel in 1 Samuel 3, you have the incredible opportunity to develop a personal relationship with God and discern His guidance for your life.
God wants to speak to you directly, guiding you, comforting you, and revealing His plans for your future. By learning to listen to His voice and obeying His commands, you can experience a deep and fulfilling faith journey. So let’s dive into 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20) and explore how we can grow in our ability to hear God’s voice.
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place.
3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!”
5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy.
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
Explanation:
- In those days, hearing God’s voice was rare, and visions were infrequent.
- Samuel, a young boy, served in the presence of Eli, the priest.
- Although Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice initially, he responded faithfully and went to Eli each time he heard his name called.
- Finally, with Eli’s guidance, Samuel learned to respond to God by saying, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.”
Discussion Questions:
- How often do you take the time to listen to God’s voice in your life?
- Have you ever experienced difficulty discerning God’s voice from other noises around you? How did you handle it?
- What can we learn from Samuel’s obedience to Eli’s instruction?
- How can we create an environment where God’s voice becomes clearer and more frequent in our lives?
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 3:11-20
Explanation:
- In these verses, God reveals His plans to Samuel and shares a prophetic message about the judgment that will come upon Eli’s family due to their disobedience.
- Despite the seriousness of the message, Samuel faithfully shares it with Eli, demonstrating his commitment to obeying God.
Discussion Questions:
- How do you think Samuel felt when he received the message from God about the judgment on Eli’s family?
- Why do you think it was important for Samuel to share this message with Eli, even though it was difficult?
- How can we courageously share God’s messages with others, even when they might be challenging or uncomfortable?
Youth Group Game: “Whisper Challenge”
Divide into pairs and have one person wear noise-canceling headphones while the other whispers a phrase or sentence related to hearing God’s voice. The person wearing the headphones tries to guess what is being said by lip-reading. This game illustrates the importance of paying close attention to hear and understand God’s voice amidst distractions.
Closing Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the example of Samuel, who faithfully listened to your voice and obeyed your commands. Help us to cultivate a deep desire to hear your voice and the willingness to obey. Speak to us clearly and guide us in our daily lives. We pray for open ears and receptive hearts to receive your messages. In your name, we ask for your guidance and wisdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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