Hearing God's Voice: Lessons from Young Samuel

The story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 reminds us that God’s voice is not reserved for a select few or for adults alone—He desires to speak to each of us, no matter our age. Samuel’s life began with a miracle: his mother Hannah prayed earnestly for a child and promised to dedicate him to God’s service. True to her word, she brought Samuel to the tabernacle to serve under Eli, the priest. It was there, as a young boy, that Samuel first encountered the voice of God. At first, Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice and mistook it for Eli’s, but with Eli’s guidance, Samuel learned to respond, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

This moment marked a turning point, not just for Samuel, but for all who seek to hear God. Samuel’s willingness to listen and obey set him apart, even when the message was difficult—he had to deliver a word of warning to Eli, his mentor. In contrast, Eli’s failure to correct his sons’ wrongdoing led to consequences for his family. The difference between the two was not age or position, but a heart that listened and obeyed.

God’s voice comes in many forms: through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, dreams, visions, and even through others around us. Sometimes, God uses people—parents, leaders, friends—to help us recognize His voice. But to truly hear Him, we must learn to stop, be still, and listen, tuning out distractions and familiar voices that might drown out what God is saying. Samuel’s story shows that when we make space to listen and choose to obey, God can trust us with His direction and use us in powerful ways, even from a young age.

God’s desire is for each of us to know His voice intimately, to be guided in the right direction, and to grow into the purpose He has for our lives. Whether young or old, God is calling us to listen, to trust, and to follow Him wholeheartedly.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God speaks to all ages, not just adults. Samuel was a child when God called him, showing that spiritual sensitivity is not limited by age or experience. God desires to communicate with children and entrusts them with meaningful roles in His story. Never underestimate how God might use you, no matter how young you are. [43:06]
• 2. Recognizing God’s voice requires stillness and intentional listening. Samuel initially mistook God’s voice for Eli’s because he was more familiar with Eli. We, too, can confuse God’s voice with other influences if we don’t pause, quiet ourselves, and focus. Creating space for silence and reflection is essential for discerning what God is truly saying. [45:43]
• 3. God communicates in diverse ways—through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, dreams, visions, and people. Sometimes, God uses others to help us recognize or interpret His voice, just as Eli helped Samuel. Being open to these various channels and seeking wise counsel can help us grow in spiritual discernment. [49:49]
• 4. Obedience to God’s voice, even when it’s difficult, leads to trust and greater responsibility. Samuel had to deliver a hard message to Eli, but his faithfulness marked him as someone God could trust. When we listen and obey, God leads us into greater purpose and influence, regardless of our age or circumstances. [52:16]
• 5. Walking in God’s direction is a journey of learning to hear, trust, and respond to His voice. Life will bring distractions, challenges, and competing voices, but God wants us to know Him so well that His voice stands out above all others. As we practice listening and obeying, we are shaped into people who can be led by God in every season. [54:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [38:00] - Hannah’s Prayer and Samuel’s Birth
• [38:40] - Samuel Dedicated to God’s Service
• [39:22] - Samuel Hears God’s Voice
• [40:02] - Eli’s Sons and the Consequence of Disobedience
• [41:17] - The Importance of Listening and Obeying
• [42:29] - God Speaks to Kids Too
• [45:00] - Learning to Be Still and Listen
• [47:08] - Eli’s Guidance to Samuel
• [48:27] - The Many Ways God Speaks
• [50:27] - Samuel’s Lifelong Obedience
• [51:05] - Samuel Anoints David
• [52:16] - Samuel as Prophet and Messenger
• [53:28] - Walking in the Lord’s Direction
• [54:39] - Review Questions and Application
• [59:13] - Final Encouragement and Prayer
• [61:45] - Closing and Resources

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 3:1-21 (ESV) — [Read aloud as a group or individually.]

Observation Questions

1. When Samuel first heard someone calling his name at night, who did he think it was, and how many times did this happen before he realized it was God? ([39:22])
2. What instructions did Eli give Samuel when he realized it was God calling? ([47:08])
3. What message did God give Samuel to deliver to Eli, and why was it a difficult message? ([40:02])
4. According to the sermon, in what different ways does God speak to people? ([48:27])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Samuel had trouble recognizing God’s voice at first? What does this tell us about learning to hear from God? ([45:00])
2. What was the difference between Samuel and Eli when it came to listening and obeying God? How did their choices affect their lives? ([41:17])
3. The sermon says God speaks to all ages, not just adults. Why is it important for both kids and adults to believe this? ([43:06])
4. How can other people, like Eli was for Samuel, help us recognize when God is speaking to us? ([49:49])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says God speaks to kids, not just adults. If you are younger, do you believe God wants to speak to you? If you are older, how can you encourage the younger people in your life to listen for God’s voice? ([43:06])
2. Samuel had to be still and quiet to hear God. What are some distractions or “familiar voices” in your life that might make it hard to hear God? What is one thing you can do this week to make space to listen? ([45:43])
3. God used Eli to help Samuel recognize His voice. Who in your life helps you listen for God? How can you be that person for someone else? ([49:49])
4. Samuel obeyed God even when the message was hard. Is there something you feel God might be asking you to do that feels difficult or scary? What would it look like to trust and obey Him in that area? ([52:16])
5. The sermon talked about God speaking through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, dreams, visions, and people. Which of these ways have you experienced or would like to experience? How can you be more open to hearing God in different ways? ([48:27])
6. When life gets busy or loud, what is one practical step you can take to “be still” and listen for God’s direction this week? ([45:43])
7. Samuel’s story shows that God can use anyone, no matter their age or experience. Is there an area in your life where you have felt “too young,” “too old,” or “not ready” for God to use you? How does Samuel’s story encourage you to think differently? ([43:06])