Bible Reading
1 Samuel 3:1–10 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. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 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. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 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. 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.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 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. 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. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
[32:35] [32:48] [45:46] [50:58]Genesis 3:1–5 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
[40:46] [41:18]1 Samuel 2:12–17 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord. The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give meat for the priest to roast, for he will not accept boiled meat from you but only raw.” And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take as much as you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now, and if not, I will take it by force.” Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord, for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt.
[46:33]Observation questions
- What details in 1 Samuel 3 show both spiritual darkness and signs of hope—especially Eli’s dim eyesight, the rare word of the Lord, the lamp of God, and Samuel’s place near the ark?
- How does Samuel respond each time he hears his name before he understands that the Lord is calling him?
- What specific actions made the sin of Hophni and Phinehas serious in God’s sight, and how did their actions affect people who came to worship? [46:33]
- In Genesis 3, what does the serpent suggest God is withholding from Eve, and how does that lie connect with Israel’s desire to be like the nations around them? [41:18]
Interpretation questions
- What does the contrast between God’s continued presence near the ark and the rarity of God’s word reveal about the difference between God being absent and people being spiritually unable to hear him? [44:56]
- Why might God choose Samuel—a young apprentice who did not yet know the Lord—instead of beginning with Eli or Eli’s sons? What does this reveal about how God calls people? [45:46]
- Eli was spiritually compromised, yet he recognized God’s call on Samuel and gave him wise direction. How should this shape the way believers receive helpful encouragement from imperfect people? [46:56]
- Samuel’s words, “Speak, for your servant hears,” are more than a request for information. What does it mean for a servant to listen with a willingness to obey, even before knowing what God may ask? [51:49]
Application questions
- When God feels distant, what habits, distractions, fears, or unconfessed patterns might be dulling your ability to listen? What would it look like to make more room for Scripture, prayer, and quiet attention to God this week? [45:26]
- Is there an area of service, leadership, reconciliation, generosity, or ministry where you have been waiting until you feel fully ready? What small faithful step could you take even without complete confidence? [51:18]
- Can you honestly pray, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is willing to obey”? What part of that prayer feels costly or uncomfortable for you right now? [51:52]
- Who is one person whose gifts or faithfulness you have noticed—a caregiver, teacher, servant, leader, or someone with a heart for people? How could you encourage that person specifically through a call, text, note, or conversation this week? [55:29]
- Have you allowed past failure or present weakness to convince you that you cannot be useful to God or encouraging to someone else? What would it mean to trust that God can still use you to point another person toward him? [47:08]
- Think of someone who has been an “Eli” in your life by helping you notice God’s direction, praying with you, or encouraging you to serve. How might you thank that person, and how might you offer that same steady encouragement to someone else? [54:50]
