God Calls Samuel (for October 19), Spark pp. 122-125

God Calls Samuel  (spark pp. 122-125)

Our story for today was one of my favorites when I was little.  You know why?  It’s about how God sometimes has big things for little people to do! And sometimes God uses children to teach adults important things.

Do you remember how Hannah promised her son, Samuel, to God?  Our story today is about Samuel and something that happened when Samuel was 12 years old.  He had been living and working in the temple with the Priest, Eli, for several years now.  He knew where important temple jars and altars were because Eli took care of him and showed him where things were.  BUT Samuel took care of Eli too, because now Eli was older and almost blind, and he needed Samuel often to help him see where things were.  One night, something special happened.

Samuel was sleeping in the temple (ZZZZZZ) when he heard a voice call

SAMUEL

“What?  What was that?  Did Eli just call me?  Maybe something is wrong!” and Samuel hurried to find and help him.

“Here I am, Eli! You called me—how can I help?”

But Eli was confused.  He shook his head.  “I didn’t call you!  It’s late and you should go back to bed.”

Now Samuel was confused, but he did exactly as Eli told him, and he fell asleep again quickly.   A little while later, the voice called again.

SAMUEL

This time, more tired (YAWN) and a bit grumpy, he crawled out of bed a bit slower.  He went back to Eli’s room.

“Here I am, Eli.  You called me (YAWN, rub eyes) how can I help you?”

Eli, too, was a bit grumpy at being woken up again.  He sighed (SIGH) and said more firmly. “I’m not calling you.  PLEASE go back to bed!”

Samuel laid back down and fell asleep. 

SAMUEL,  said the voice.  It had happened again.  He went to Eli again, more tired and grumpy this time.

That’s when Eli thought, “Aha!  It must be GOD who is calling Samuel!”  He turned to Samuel and said, “If you are called again, just say ‘God I hear you and I will do whatever you want.”  Can you say that with me?  “GOD, I hear you and I will do whatever you want.”  Well, the voice called again.

SAMUEL.

And this time, Samuel knew what to do.  He said exactly what Eli told him to say, and guess what?  It WAS God!  And he had a LOT to say to Samuel.

Even though Samuel was only 12, he wanted to serve God and God had great plans for Samuel.  With God’s help, Samuel grew up to share many of God’s messages with many people.  People all over Israel knew Samuel as God’s trusted prophet.

What did we learn?

God sometimes talks to us when we least expect it, and when we feel too young or too unimportant.  Keep listening.  God can make us great servants when we are willing, no matter our age or abilities.