Listen
WELCOME TO WEEK 3
Are you listening? Have your parents or teachers ever asked you that question. Sometimes we hear what is going on around us but we are not really listening. When we listen we first take in information, but after listening is usually another action of doing. This week we will see that God wants us to listen so we know what He has for us to do.
BIBLE STORY
Play the game Odd one out. Children will listen as you list several objects consecutively, they have to decide which object does not belong with the group. You can give a category to the group to make the game easier or you can give a list and have them figure out the item that does not belong as well as the category.
toothbrush, water, hairbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash
blanket, movie, boardgames, popcorn,
pillow, coffee, bed, nightlight, teddybear
snowman, snow-angels, ice forts, rain-boots, snowballs,
balloons, pencil, pen, ruler, crayons, paper
Listening is a very important skill we all need to have and even practice! We must know how to really hear what people are saying. We can also listen to God. Although we may not hear an audible voice from God, there are ways for us to hear what God has to say to us. This week we will read a story of Samuel and how he listened to God. He did hear God’s voice but did not realize it was God speaking. Once he did realize it was God speaking to him, he was ready to listen. We can hear someone speaking to us, but are we listening to what they are saying. Leet’s read or listen to the story to find out if Samuel simply heard God’s voice, or if he was ready to listen.
Read or listen to I Samuel 3:1-10; 19-21
Who did Samuel live with? (With the priest Eli)
What was uncommon during this time? (Messages from God and visions)
What was Samuel doing when he heard his name? (Sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God)
Who did Samuel think was calling him? (Eli)
How many times did Samuel go in to Eli thinking he was being called by him? (3 times)
What did Eli tell Samuel after the third time of hearing his name called (If your name is called again say “Speak Lord, your servant is listening”)
As Samuel grew older why did the people believe he was a prophet? (The Lord was with him and every thing he said proved to be reliable)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
A prophet has the job of sharing God’s words with His people. Sometimes those words are good news and there’s enjoy hearing it. Then there are times those words are of discipline or bad news, and they are thee ones who must share it with the people. God was calling Samuel to be a prophet and speak his word, good or bad. Listen to these messages and decide if it is good or bad news. If it is good news, hold up a smiley face, and a frown face if it is bad news.
Announce my judgment to Nineveh because I have seen how wicked its people are
I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence
There will be no rain nor dew for the next few years until I give the word
Return to me and I will return to you
Materials: bible, drawn smile & frown face
Alternate
Often in a restaurant there are orders being given and you have to be able to listen to directions whether you are in the kitchen or waiting tables. Let’s see how good your listening skills are by filling these orders. Have several varieties of candy or snacks placed in bowls. Call out an order for your child to place eon the plate, such as “5 M&M’s, 3 goldfish, 10 crackers and 3 gummy bears”. See if they are able to fill your order and deliver it. Repeat as desired and even switch roles allowing them to give the order to you. God wants us to be ready to listen to Him. He has a plan for our lives that He wants to share with us in His timing.
Materials: several candy or snack items place in seperate bowls, small bowls
Independent activity:
Create a dish by following a recipe that is given out loud. You can view a cooking video or be given directions orally from a parent. Listen to the directions given and then complete the recipe to create a treat. It can be as simple as building a hamburger, or making cookie dough. Was that easy or hard to follow instructions? There is a difference between hearing and listening. We can hear someone's voice but we have to listen to understand what they are saying. We can work on listening for God’s voice so when we hear His instructions we can obey Him.
Materials: items to make a food item
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, scissors
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Proverbs 2:1-5 to see what we are to do with God’s commands. We are to search for God’s wisdom, cry out for insight, and ask for God’s understanding. The scripture tells us to search for these things as you would search for silver or a hidden treasure. When you think about searching for silver or a lost treasure, you don’t give up your search easily because you know that what you are searching for is worth the time and effort. In the same way, we can know that our search for God’s wisdom and insight is worth our time and effort.
What did Proverbs tell us we should search for?
What should we be listening to God for?
What does it mean to fear the Lord?
What knowledge does God want to give us?
Who do you listen to?
How can we listen to what God wants to tell us?
How did Samuel show that her wanted to listen to what God had to say?
Does God speak to us in an audible voice today?
What other ways does God speak to us?
Practical Application at Home
We can listen to what God has to tell us by searching His Word, the Bible. We can find God’s wisdom and understanding in Bible. The Bible is our reliable source for God’s wisdom because it is God’s Words to us. It is his instruction manual for us to use and search for His truth.
Use your Bible to go on the following treasure hunt. Find a scripture that speaks to the following questions. Search the Bible to find what God has to say about the following topics.
Who does God say He is?
Who does God say you are?
How should we treat others?
How do we treat our enemies?
What should we do with people who have wronged us?
What should we do with our time?
What should we do with our tongue?
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
In this season of thankfulness, discuss ways your family is thankful during this season. Talk of the obvious blessings this year as well as how you see God’s hand in the difficulties of this year. Then find ways to be a blessing to others in your community by donating food, donating time at a shelter, or helping a widow or elderly shut-in from your neighborhood or church.