1 Samuel 3:1–18

Listening for God's Voice: The Story of Samuel

Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 3:1–18

New International Version (2011) Chapter 3

The LORD Calls Samuel

3 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel.

Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

6 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.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8 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. 9 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.

10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

11 And the LORD said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’ ”

15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.”

Samuel answered, “Here I am.”

17 “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.”

19 The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. 21 The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word

1. God's Persistent Calling

1 Samuel 3:1-7

IN your Prayer time he there

IN the both of that bottle He is there

His word seems rare.

Perhaps focus on the spiritual barrenness before Samuel understood His call

Emphasizing the need for spiritual openness.

Samuel's service in the temple shows that being in God's presence prepares us to hear Him.

God patiently calls Samuel, revealing His desire for relationship.

This suggests we need to attune our hearts to recognize His voice amidst the noise of life.

Encourage your audience to remain spiritually receptive, especially when God’s voice seems faint.

2. Guided to Authentic Listening

1 Samuel 3:8-10

Eli

had a few moments of not being the sharp tool in the shed.

Samuel came to Eli 3 times

And where was the Boy sleeping

He was right next to the Arc

The Israelites would have understand that the Arc was the dwelling place of God

and yet he Came back over and over saying hey you called me and here I am...

In the Middle of hearing Jesus he went back to what he knew

In the Middle of his Night He went back to what he knew

So time as people we go back to what we know

I am Joking about him not being the sharpest

Because Eli only took 3 times how many more times does it take us

Because uncertainty is where faith becomes real

Anyone can trust God when life is predictable. But in seasons of transition, confusion, or decision-making, discerning His voice becomes the difference between anxiety and peace.

God’s voice brings:

clarity where we feel torn

peace where we feel pressured

conviction where we feel unsure

redirection when we’re drifting

-God is call us but look around to see what else it could be?

God called Samuel and we find ourself running back to the same Old dead weight

Same old boyfriend

Same old fix

Same old debate

Same old sin

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart     and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him,     and he will make your paths straight.

Have you done it long enough....

Have you pull yourself up enough....

Have lived the way you want to enough...

Maybe discuss how mentoring in faith communities helps discern God’s calling. Eli’s instruction to respond with 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening' suggests believers must actively participate in the relationship with God. Highlight that listening requires humility and readiness to respond. Encourage the congregation to seek godly counsel and remain humble and open as they discern God’s voice.

3. God's Challenging Message

1 Samuel 3:11-14

Eli was all ready told that there would be another

So when the Other came from his own house.

He was worried that God but

in this uncertainty in Judgment he knew God was still Good

Eli was an example;

If I trusted him in my Life

If I trusted his Judgement

I have to trust him in my death,,,,

I praise a God that is God over both

and God is Good

and as Eli went through what would be Great in the site of other people

1 Samuel 3:15–18 “Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.” “What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.””

New International Version (2011) Chapter 3

He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes.”

My Cousin died at 41

No Kids

No husband

No Money

But God....

He took her home

That night with all Grace and Intention

to Love like she has never been loved before

I serve a God that is Love every action

Even his Judgement is filled with Love

Job 13:15 King James Bible Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

That My actions will stand up that I was right and Loving

and this Life is not the end

If we live this life like it is all that matters

God might seem unloving

But if we know and have the faith that God is Good

you know that this is not the end

He is making a way for everyone to see that God is love

In todays breath there is Love