Lesson 2C: JESUS WANT US TO BE WISE

Samuel The Boy Prophet
1 Samuel 1to 3

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

By the end of this session, the student will be able:

1. To tell the meaning of wisdom
2. To determine how to make a wise decision or choice
3. To understand that God punishes the wicked and protect the righteous
4. To help each student set a good example for others by following the example of Jesus
5. To recite the memory verse

BIBLE REFERENCE
1 SAMUEL 2:26 (ESV)
“Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.
1 SAMUEL 3:19 (NLT)
“As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.”

WORDS TO REMEMBER

1. Wisdom – the ability to discern or judge what is true and right. It is a gift from God.
2. Righteous – acting in an upright, moral way
3. Wicked – evil or morally bad in principle or practice; sinful
4. Promise – a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.

PRE-SESSION ACTIVITY

Play a game, sing a song or give them activity to introduce the new lesson. (Activities may vary depending on age level and purpose of the lesson either for Sunday school or outreach ministry.)
Eli Says
Lead children to play Simon Says, using the name “Eli” instead of “Simon.” Eli says, “Put your hands on your head.” Children follow your directions. Continue activity with other directions, occasionally omitting the words “Eli says.”
Mirror Image
Have the children form pairs. Let each pair stand face-to-face about 3 or 4 feet apart. They must try to be “mirror images” and copy each other exactly. Make up some fun and difficult ones. Then, explain that it is hard to be someone that you are not. God has made us exactly the way He wants us. He has a plan for our life just like Samuel.

LESSON PROPER

A. PREPARATION and MOTIVATION
Teacher, review lessons about when Jesus was a child, Jesus at the temple and the road to Emmaus.

1. What is the place where Jesus was born? Bethlehem, Judea
2. Where did Jesus grow up? Nazareth
3. Why did Jesus’ parents go to Jerusalem? To celebrate the Festival of Passover
4. How old was Jesus when he stayed behind in Jerusalem? Twelve years old
5. Where did Mary and Joseph found Jesus? At the temple courts
6. Who were amazed by Jesus understanding and answers to them? Teachers
7. Jesus grew in what aspects? Mentally, physically, spiritually & socially
8. Who did Cleopas and his friend meet on the road to Emmaus? Jesus
9. When did the two men recognize the man walking with them was Jesus? After Jesus gave thanks and broke the bread
   10.How old was Josiah when he became king? Eight
   11.What kind of person was Josiah? Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord 12.What did Hilkiah the high priest find in the temple? Hilkiah found the Book of the Law of the Lord

Teacher:
So far, we have learned about when Jesus was a child and how He grew up; and Josiah, who became king when he was eight (8) years old and how he has set example to his people in serving the true God. And for today’s lesson, we will continue to discover “wisdom” and how this can help us to be a good example to others.

B. INTRODUCTION
The life of Samuel was vital in Israel’s history. He was a prophet, he anointed the first two kings of Israel, and he was the last in the line of Israel’s judges, considered by many as the greatest judge (Acts 13:20). Samuel is cited alongside Moses and Aaron as men who called on God and were answered (Psalm 99:6).

Who is Samuel?
Samuel was the son of Elkanah and Hannah, and he was born at Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. Brought to the Temple at Shiloh as a young child to serve God in fulfillment of a vow made by his mother, he succeeded Eli as the high priest and judge of Israel.

Interesting facts about Samuel:

1. Samuel is a miracle child.
2. Samuel’s name means “God has heard.”
3. Samuel is from the tribe of Levi
4. Samuel anoints the first two kings of Israel: Saul and David.

C. LESSON
Names to Remember:
Hannah – wife of Elkanah and mother of Samuel Elkanah – the husband of Hannah and father of Samuel Eli – the high priest of Shiloh, the second-to-last Israelite judge Hophni and Phinehas
sons of Eli, priests of the sanctuary at Shiloh. Their character was wicked enough to merit the double designation “sons of Eli” and “sons of Belial.”

The Story
(Read today’s story aloud from the Bible, or by showing pictures, or tell the story in your own words or dress up in a simple costume to act the part of one of the Bible characters.)

Hannah was a good woman, married to Elkanah, a good man. They both worshipped God and showed kindness to others. But something was missing from Hannah’s life. She wanted to have a baby! She waited and prayed and hoped and waited some more. No baby came. Every year, Hannah went to worship at God’s tabernacle. One year she promised God that if He let her have a son, she would give the boy to be God’s servant. Old Eli priest saw Hannah praying. He thought Hannah was drunk with wine because her lips moved but no sound came. Eli scolded Hannah. But Hannah told Eli about her prayer for a child and her promised to God. “Go in peace”, Eli answered. “And the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” Eli’s word gave Hannah hope. Soon great joy filled Hannah’s heart. The Lord remembered her and answered her prayer. She and Elkanah had a little boy who was named Samuel (which means “Heard by God”).
Hannah waited until Samuel was old enough to live at tabernacle and help Eli in God’s service. Then she brought him to tabernacle. God honored Hannah’s great faithfulness. After Samuel, God gave her three (3) more sons and two (2) daughters. Every year Hannah went to tabernacle to worship God and to bring a new robe she made for Samuel.
Samuel was not Eli’s only helper. Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, also worked for him. But they dishonored God by doing wicked things, and would not change even when their father Eli begged them. Eli should have fired them from working in the tabernacle. But he did not.
One night, Samuel heard a voice call him. The boy thought it was Eli calling. “Here I am”, he said. “I did not call”, Eli replied. This happened three (3) times. Then Eli knew God wanted to speak to Samuel. Eli told Samuel, “If He calls you, you must say, “SPEAK LORD, for your servant hears”. And God did call again, and gave Samuel a very important message.
In the morning Eli called Samuel. “What is the thing that the Lord has said to you?” he asked. Young Samuel told him everything. It was a terrible message – God was going to destroy Eli’s whole family because Hophni and Phinehas were so wicked.
God’s warning came true. During a war with the Philistines, Eli’s two (2) evil sons led the Ark of God before Israel’s army. The enemy captured the Ark and killed Hophni and

Phinehas along with Israelites. When Eli heard this, he fell off his seat, broke his neck, and died the same day.
Then Samuel, who was now a grown man, spoke to all the people of Israel. “If you return to the Lord with all your heart… He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” The people obeyed God’s faithful prophet. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
Lesson from Samuel’s Life
Samuel’s life serves as an example for all of us. Key principles include his obedience to God, his faith (Hebrews 11:32) and his willingness to intercede for others (Jeremiah 15:1)
Samuel personally seeks God and hears His word by being: available, quick to respond, listening, growing and sharing.
Samuel increased in wisdom, grace, and is owing to the presence of God with him. Early faithfulness will be the greatest honour of young people. Those who honour God he will honour. Let young people consider the faithfulness of Samuel, and from him they will learn to remember their Creator in the days of their youth. Samuel is a proof that their waiting upon the Lord will be pleasing to him. He is a pattern of all those amiable tempers, which are the brightest ornament of youth, and a sure source of happiness.

MEMORY VERSE
Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What were the names of Samuel’s parents? (Elkanah and Hannah)
2. How did Hannah become pregnant with Samuel? (She prayed to God and He answered)
3. What promised did Hannah make to God about her son? (She would bring him to serve God all his life)
4. What kind of boy was Samuel? (He served God as a young boy and he gained favor with God and with men as he grew)

Discussion time:
When our parents or teachers try to correct us when we have made a mistake, how do we react? What helps us to listen and change?

LIFE APPLICATION

Can God use a young boy for His purposes? Surely He can and did! And God can use each one of us for His purposes if we will let Him. God has a special purpose for our lives. We should listen to what our parents and older people say to us because they know what is best for us especially for children. Otherwise, we will all be accountable for our actions. Remember, all sins have consequences if not now then in the future.