CONNECT: What is something - even very simply - about your Easter celebrations that you could share this coming week? Who would you like to share that with?

WARM-UP  Questions

1. If someone was to ask you what the first eight books of the Bible are about, how would you answer them?
2. What impact does knowing someone intimately have on your relationship with them, compared to just being acquaintances? 

READ 1 Samuel 1:1-11

1. What was the religious state of Israel at this time? What was so surprising about Elkanah and Hannah?
2. In response to her great suffering and pain, what did Hannah do? What does this say her, and our, God?
3. In your life, how do you respond when life becomes painful and full of hurt? How can God help us and what makes it clear that he loves us and cares for us?
4. After pleading with God and giving birth to Samuel, why are verses 26-28 so remarkable?
5. What does Hannah’s prayer in 2:1-11 say about God and who He is? When in your life have you seen God work in these ways? How did you react?

READ 1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-26

1. What does it mean for God to be jealous? How is this different to our jealousy?
2. Why were the sins of Hophni and Phinehas especially noted here? (Note 1:3) How does Eli respond to his son’s failures?
3. At the heart of it, what was at the root of the sins of the priests? What was Samuel doing that was different all throughout this passage?
4. What does it mean to fear God? How can we both fear him and experience his joy and grace?

READ 1 Samuel 3:10-4:1a

1. Why is this event so significant in this period of Israel’s history?
2. “Our God is a God who speaks” - what difference does this reality make in our relationship with God? How do we hear God speak?

APPLY This Week:  How is your trust in God, fear of God, and listening to God going?

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On Your Frontline This Week: As a new school term commences, who do you see during the week that you can intentionally get to know better?

Audio and Video 

• VIDEO: Introduction to 1 Samuel by the Bible Project:
• ‘A Saviour is Born’ by Mark Calder
• ‘Biblical Principles for Parenting’ by Alistair Begg 
• ‘Eli and his Two Sons’ by Dick Lucas

Key Resource

• “1 Samuel For You” by Tim Chester is an excellent introduction to 1 Samuel that will be suitable for people reading at a range of levels. The guide includes helpful discussion of the content of 1 Samuel, along with plenty of practical and devotional application. Watch an introduction to the book by Tim Chester. 

Other Helpful Books, Articles, and Courses

• “1 and 2 Samuel: Hope for the Helpless” by Andrew Reid (“Reading the Bible Today Series”) 
• “1 Samuel: Looking on the Heart” by Dale Ralph Davis (“Focus on the Bible Series”) 
  

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