OT 47 God Speaks to Samuel

Reference: 1 Samuel 3

Story Summary: 
     Samuel worked at the tabernacle with Eli, the high priest. One night, both of them were asleep in the house of the Lord. The Lord called out to Samuel, but Samuel didn’t know it was him. So, he ran to Eli and said, “Did you call me?” Since Eli hadn’t called him, he was confused and told the boy to go back to sleep.
     Two more times, God called to Samuel in the night. And both times, Samuel went to Eli, thinking that it was he who had called him. After Samuel came the third time, Eli figured out that God was calling Samuel. He told Samuel to say the following next time God called him: “Speak, Lord. I’m listening.”
     God called to Samuel a fourth time. Samuel said, “Speak, Lord. I’m listening.” God gave Samuel a message about Eli’s family. Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were doing evil things and not listening to their father. God told Samuel that he was going to punish Eli’s sons for what they had done.
     When Samuel woke that morning, he was scared to give such a sad message. But Eli told Samuel to tell him exactly what God said to him, and Samuel did so. As Samuel grew, the people had great respect for him because God would often speak with him.

Big Idea and Motions: Jesus was punished for our sins.
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Punished - punch your palm with your fist
Our - point to yourself
Sins - two thumbs down

Verse / Motions: 1 Peter 3:18, ESV - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God
Christ - form a cross with your forearms
Suffered - punch your fist
Once - hold up one finger
Righteous for the unrighteous - two thumbs up, then two thumbs down
Bring us - reach down and pretend to help someone up
God - point up

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What was the name of the boy that lived at the tabernacle? // Samuel
What was the name of the high priest at the tabernacle? // Eli
Who spoke to Samuel? // God
When did God speak to Samuel? // At night, when they were sleeping
How many times did the Lord God call Samuel? // Four times.
Who did Samuel think was calling him? // Eli.
What did Eli tell Samuel to say when God called? // Speak. I’m listening.
What message did God give Samuel? // He was going to punish Eli’s family.
Why was God going to punish Eli’s sons? // They were breaking God’s commandments.
Who was punished for our sins? // Jesus

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/GDsOqx
Resources - http://goo.gl/BZdHgw