Talk
WELCOME TO WEEK 2
Who do you share your troubles to? Who do you share all of your joys with? Hannah was hurting and she turned to God and he heard her prayers. This week we will see how God we can talk to about anything!
BIBLE STORY
I have a recipe that I want to make but there seems to be a problem! I think the steps are out of order. I need help putting them in the correct order. Look at this recipe and read out loud to me the steps and let’s see if we can solve it.
Use a recipe of your own that you have made previously. Have it written down out of order for your child to fix.
Was it easy or hard to give me the recipe in the correct order? This week we are reading a story about Hannah. She was married and really wanted to have a son but was not able to. She went to the temple to pray and ask God sincerely for a baby. God wants us to talk to him about our problems and concerns. He wants us to go to Him when we have questions or when we are in need. Let’s read or listen to our story for the week to see what happens to Hannah after she prays for a son.
Let’s read the Bible story for the week I Samuel 1:4-20
Why did Peninnah make fun of Hannah? (Because Hannah didn’t have any children but she did)
How long did the teasing go on? (For years)
How did this make Hannah feel? (She would cry and not eat)
Who was there while Hannah prayed at the tabernacle? (Thee priest Eli)
What vow did Hannah make? (If God answered her prayer and gave her a son, she would give him back to Him)
What did Eli see as he watched Hannah pray? (Her lips moving but not hearing any sound)
What did he accuse her of? (Drunk with wine)
After Hannah explained her prayer in anguish, what did Eli tell her? (To go in peace and may God grant her request)
How did Hannah feel after this news? (She was no longer sad and began to eat)
Did God answer Hannah’s prayer? (In due time she gave birth to Samuel)
Why did Hannah name him Samuel? (His name means “I asked the Lord for him”)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Play this game of God answers prayers. In a bag or bowl, place the following strips of paper cut out. Place a fun snack in a bowl nearby. Pull out a strip of paper, read it, and decide if God answered the prayer right away or if the person had to wait. If the answer is yes, you get to eat a snack, if the answer is no, you don’t get a snack; if the answer is wait, you have to wait until another turn. When we talk to God He will answer us, even if the answer is not always what we think it should be. God’s answer might be yes, no, or wait. No matter what the answer, we can trust that His answer is what is best for us.
Materials: Printed strips of paper, a bowl, a small bowl of treats, scissors
Alternate
We may not talk to the same people about everything, but instead talk to certain people about specific questions or concerns, joys and celebrations. Listen to the following scenarios and decide who you would talk to about that problem or concern.
Struggling with homework
Having concerns with a bully at school
Needing more food to eat
Learning to play a new instrument
A good grade at school
Sharing a good book you read
Materials:
Independent activity:
We can communicate in a variety of ways. We speak verbally to others by using our voice. We also have non-verbal communication by communicating with our facial expressions. We can also communicate with our hands by using sign language and we can even communicate by writing our thoughts on paper. See if you can share this message with someone using one of these forms: draw a picture, use sign language, write it in a note, or tell someone. Or use another form of communication not listed here.
Share the message of Psalm 145:18-19
Materials: sheet of drawing paper, pencil
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Psalm 16
David talked to God in this Psalm and spoke of his life with God. He talked about God’s blessings, the land God gave them, and God’s guidance. We can talk to God about all things. We do not need to just talk to God when we want to request things or needs, but we can also talk to Him about life. The way we talk to a friend or share our feelings with loved ones, we can do that with God as well.
Where did David say all good things came from?
What did David say his inheritance was?Who did David say is always with him?
Who is always with you?
How do you talk to God?
How do you hear God’s answers?
How did Hannah hear God’s answer?
Do we still need a priest to hear from God?
Is there only a special time you can talk with God?
How did Hannah know that her prayer was answered?
How do you know that Hannah believed Eli’s words that she would have a baby?
Practical Application at Home
We can talk to God any time. We do not need a priest or someone to go between us and God. When Jesus died on the cross He made a way for us to speak directly to God. We don’t need to sacrifice a lamb because Jesus was our sacrificial lamb. His death freed us to have a relationship with God. God sent the Holy Spirit to be with us all the time. We can speak to God any time.
Keep a prayer journal for this week. Write down the things you are thankful for, the people you are grateful for, others you want to pray for, and things you want to share from your heart. Keep the journal for at least a week and then continue on if you desire. After the first week, think about your experience during the week of prayer.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?