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Icebreaker
- What is a rhythm you are hoping to get into or reengage this fall?
- Is there a word or phrase that you or someone in your family misheard or mispronounced?
Discussion Questions
- What stuck out to you about the message?
- Read 1 Samuel 3:1–10. Why might Samuel have had a hard time understanding God was calling him? Does hearing God’s voice today feel similar or different from this scene?
- Eli helps Samuel discern God’s voice. What is discernment, and how can we use it to hear God’s voice today?
- What does it mean to be “called” or have “a calling?” Is that something everyone receives or is it only for specific people?
- Read 1 Samuel 3:10–14, after this call, Samuel will become a great prophet and leader, but he will not always be popular with the people. Do you think Samuel would have agreed to God’s plan if he knew all that it entailed? Why do you think God doesn’t always give us the full picture? (watch this short video if you’d like more context on the book of Samuel: bibleproject.com/videos/1–samuel)
- What is Eli’s role in this story? How can you invite others to guide you in your faith story?
- Who might be an “Eli” in your life who can help you hear the voice of God?
Prayer Practice
Practice Lectio Divina, a process of reading Scripture three times and listening to what God might be saying through it. Have three different people read. Read Proverbs 16:1–9. First, listen for a word or phrase that sticks out to you. Second, what feeling or emotion comes to mind? Third, what might God be inviting you to?
