Faithful Living: Lessons from Hannah and Samuel
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we gathered to worship and praise Jesus, regardless of what's happening outside. We also discussed some exciting upcoming events, including a back-to-school prayer walk on August 4th, where we will pray over schools in Pearland and Alvin. This is a powerful way to bring Jesus back into our schools.
Our main focus today was on the story of Samuel and his mother, Hannah. Hannah, who was barren, poured out her soul to God in desperation, asking for a son and promising to dedicate him to the Lord. Her heartfelt prayer was answered, and Samuel was born. This story teaches us the importance of pouring ourselves out to God, especially in times of need.
We explored how Samuel grew up in a corrupt environment but stayed true to his faith and calling. Despite the negative influences around him, Samuel remained focused on God, which eventually led to him taking over the priesthood and restoring it to a place of worship and reverence.
We also discussed the importance of staying the course, ministering to the Lord, and submitting to authority. Samuel's life exemplifies these principles. He stayed committed to God despite the corruption around him, ministered to the Lord through his actions and worship, and submitted to the flawed authority of Eli, trusting that God would handle the situation.
In our lives, we must also stay the course, remain humble and hungry for God, and submit to the authorities He places over us. This includes trusting that God will handle any flaws in leadership. By doing so, we create a foundation for future generations to follow God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Pouring Out to God: Hannah's story teaches us the power of pouring out our souls to God in times of desperation. When we reach a point where we need God to move, we must be willing to give everything to Him, just as Hannah did. This act of complete surrender can lead to miraculous answers to our prayers. [27:40]
2. Staying the Course: Samuel grew up in a corrupt environment but remained steadfast in his faith. This teaches us that no matter the circumstances around us, we must stay focused on God and His calling for our lives. God may test us with our environment before changing it, to see if we will remain faithful. [45:10]
3. Ministering to the Lord: Ministering to the Lord involves separating ourselves from the world and focusing on God. When we do this, His favor and growth follow us. This is a form of worship and devotion that brings us closer to God and allows His blessings to flow into our lives. [49:11]
4. Submitting to Authority: Samuel submitted to the flawed authority of Eli, understanding that God had placed him there for a reason. This teaches us the importance of respecting and submitting to the authorities God places over us, trusting that He will handle any issues. The fear of the Lord helps us honor even flawed authority. [59:26]
5. Legacy of Prayer: The faith and prayers of previous generations, like Moses' parents and Timothy's mother and grandmother, laid the foundation for their spiritual journeys. Our prayers and faithfulness can create a legacy for future generations, ensuring that they have a strong foundation in God. [36:07]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:02] - Introduction and Announcements
[25:13] - The Well Series Introduction
[25:50] - Story of Samuel and Hannah
[27:40] - Pouring Out to God
[30:34] - Praying for Our Children
[33:27] - Legacy of Faith
[40:32] - Staying the Course
[45:10] - Testing and Faithfulness
[49:11] - Ministering to the Lord
[59:26] - Submitting to Authority
[01:12:57] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
[01:16:54] - Worship and Praise
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1 Samuel 1:12-18 (Hannah's Prayer)
1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Hannah's Prayer of Thanksgiving)
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (The Calling of Samuel)
### Observation Questions
1. What was Hannah's emotional state when she prayed to God for a son, and how did Eli initially misinterpret her actions? ([28:29])
2. How did Samuel's environment at the temple influence his faith and actions, despite the corruption around him? ([29:46])
3. What does it mean to "minister to the Lord," and how did Samuel exemplify this in his life? ([49:11])
4. How did Samuel respond to the flawed authority of Eli, and what does this teach us about submitting to authority? ([59:26])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Hannah's act of pouring out her soul to God in 1 Samuel 1:12-18 demonstrate the power of desperate prayer? What can we learn from her example? ([27:40])
2. In what ways did Samuel's steadfastness in a corrupt environment prepare him for his future role in restoring the priesthood? ([45:10])
3. How does the concept of ministering to the Lord by separating from worldly influences apply to our daily lives? ([49:11])
4. What are the implications of submitting to flawed authority, as Samuel did with Eli, in our own lives and church communities? ([59:26])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you poured out your soul to God in prayer. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith? If you haven't experienced this, what might be holding you back? ([27:40])
2. Samuel stayed true to his faith despite growing up in a corrupt environment. Are there negative influences in your life that challenge your faith? How can you stay the course like Samuel? ([45:10])
3. Ministering to the Lord involves separating from worldly influences. Identify one specific area in your life where you can make a change to focus more on God. ([49:11])
4. Submitting to authority can be challenging, especially when that authority is flawed. How can you practice respect and submission to the authorities in your life while trusting God to handle any issues? ([59:26])
5. Hannah's prayer life created a legacy for Samuel. How can your prayers and faithfulness create a spiritual foundation for future generations in your family or community? ([36:07])
6. Think about a time when you felt tested by your environment. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? How can you apply those lessons to future challenges? ([45:10])
7. Reflect on the importance of staying humble and hungry for God, regardless of your circumstances. What practical steps can you take this week to maintain humility and spiritual hunger? ([55:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Pouring Out to God
Hannah's story is a powerful example of what it means to pour out our souls to God in times of desperation. She was barren and deeply distressed, but instead of turning away from God, she turned to Him with all her heart. She made a vow, promising to dedicate her son to the Lord if He would grant her request. This act of complete surrender and faith led to the miraculous birth of Samuel. When we reach a point where we need God to move, we must be willing to give everything to Him, just as Hannah did. This act of complete surrender can lead to miraculous answers to our prayers. [27:40]
1 Samuel 1:10-11 (ESV): "She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, 'O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.'"
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel desperate for God's intervention. How can you pour out your soul to Him today, surrendering everything to His will?
Day 2: Staying the Course
Samuel grew up in a corrupt environment but remained steadfast in his faith. Despite the negative influences around him, he stayed focused on God and His calling for his life. This teaches us that no matter the circumstances around us, we must stay focused on God and His calling for our lives. God may test us with our environment before changing it, to see if we will remain faithful. Samuel's unwavering commitment to God eventually led to him taking over the priesthood and restoring it to a place of worship and reverence. [45:10]
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."
Reflection: Are there negative influences in your environment that challenge your faith? How can you stay focused on God and His calling for your life despite these challenges?
Day 3: Ministering to the Lord
Ministering to the Lord involves separating ourselves from the world and focusing on God. When we do this, His favor and growth follow us. This is a form of worship and devotion that brings us closer to God and allows His blessings to flow into our lives. Samuel ministered to the Lord through his actions and worship, setting an example for us to follow. By dedicating time and effort to minister to the Lord, we can experience a deeper relationship with Him and witness His work in our lives. [49:11]
1 Samuel 3:1 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you set aside time today to minister to the Lord, focusing solely on Him and separating yourself from worldly distractions?
Day 4: Submitting to Authority
Samuel submitted to the flawed authority of Eli, understanding that God had placed him there for a reason. This teaches us the importance of respecting and submitting to the authorities God places over us, trusting that He will handle any issues. The fear of the Lord helps us honor even flawed authority. By submitting to authority, we demonstrate our trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work through imperfect leaders. Samuel's respect for Eli, despite his flaws, is a testament to his faith and obedience to God. [59:26]
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Reflection: Is there a leader or authority figure in your life that you struggle to respect? How can you submit to their authority today, trusting that God will handle any flaws?
Day 5: Legacy of Prayer
The faith and prayers of previous generations, like Moses' parents and Timothy's mother and grandmother, laid the foundation for their spiritual journeys. Our prayers and faithfulness can create a legacy for future generations, ensuring that they have a strong foundation in God. By remaining faithful and committed to prayer, we can influence the spiritual lives of those who come after us. This legacy of prayer is a powerful testament to the enduring impact of a life devoted to God. [36:07]
2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV): "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."
Reflection: How can you create a legacy of prayer and faithfulness for future generations? What specific prayers can you start today to lay a strong spiritual foundation for those who come after you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Do you know what it means to pour yourself out to God? To really know what that means to pour everything out. Like maybe you needed God to show up and do something or you needed him to answer a prayer. And you just poured yourself out to the Lord. Or maybe you've never poured yourself out to the Lord because you're not sure exactly what that means. What it looks like, right? Like maybe we don't even understand what it means to pour ourselves out." [26:43] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A cold parent produces corrupt children. But a praying parent produces prophetic children. Praying over your kids. Praying over what God wants to do. Taryn, have you got on your knees and poured it out to where your lips are stammering. For your children to do what you want God to do in their lives. Amen. Pouring out your soul. God, do work in their life. Do something amazing, Lord. Help them find their way." [30:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You can't change the world if you drink like they drink. You can't change the world if you smoke like they smoke. You can't change the world if you watch what they watch. You can't change the world if you listen to what they listen to. How are you going to show people who Jesus is if you keep trying to fit in to what the world is telling us to do? How do we do that? You have to make a decision and a change in how you're going to walk out your life." [46:29] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If God's grace comes to your life and grows you. Don't lose your hunger. If his favor comes into your life and gives you favor. Don't lose your humility. Remember where you came from. And what he's done for you. And continue to walk out in humility and in hunger. Who he is in your life. Amen. It doesn't matter what you've been given. What you have. Never stop praising the Lord for what you have." [55:40] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God created a pathway for you to come to this church. He either did it by invitation. He did it by revelation. Or he did it because you drove by and saw a sign out on the road. But he said to you. Go there. Go to that place. That's where I want you to be. And you came. And you should be here with an expectation. That God is going to move in your life. Every single time you walk in the door." [01:07:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Samuel was born as a supernatural birth because his mother prayed over him. And you also receive a supernatural rebirth when you are born again in the name of Jesus. Amen. You had a stony heart and God gave you a heart of flesh. You had a bad nature and God gave you a nurtured nature. To replace that life. Amen. When Jesus came to you and said to be born again." [42:10] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Before God changes your environment. He may test you with that same environment. To see if you're going to stay the course. Are you going to stay the way you're going? Are you going to stay focused on what I've called you to do? And there's a test that could take place there. What are you going to do when that test comes? Are you going to be prepared? Amen? Right before you go out. And change the world for Jesus. You're going to be tested by the world. To see if it will change you first." [45:10] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you start separating yourself from the world. The Lord starts to follow you with favor. When you start separating yourself from that and focusing on God. His favor comes and starts to follow you. His growth comes and starts to follow you. Amen? This is the part. This is part of ministering to the Lord. Is separating yourself from the world and focusing on him. So his favor and growth follows you in your life. And that's how you minister to your Father." [49:11] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The fear of the Lord causes us to honor flawed authority. You're like, wait a minute. But think about it. The fear of the Lord will allow you to follow authority even if it's not perfect. Because God has placed that authority over your life. And there's a blessing inside of that when you follow it. Amen. God's perfect plan is to place you and I under authority that will lead us and guide us to know the knowledge of the King." [01:00:47] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If God told you to come to this church. Submit to it. Submit to the authority of the church. Do the work that he's called you to do. Come in here and serve. Come in here and be part of it. Come in here and tithe to the church. Submit to this church. Because God said go there. Let me tell you something. When it's time to move. God's going to tell you to move. And I'm going to also tell you another thing to pay attention to. Don't leave until he tells you to move." [01:09:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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