Leader Guide
Teaching
- Footsteps Pattern
- Dedication Card Pattern
- Cardstock
- Scissors
- Pencils
- Children’s scissors
- Two volunteer sixth grade readers
- Seven blocks—cardboard, wooden, plastic, or dominoes to stack
- Table
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
Assign volunteer readers to each look up and be prepared to read: Luke 16:10, 1 Samuel 2:12–13a, 1 Samuel 2:17–18, 1 Samuel 2:26, 1 Samuel 3:1, and 1 Samuel 3:19.
Stack six blocks on the table, then place one more block beside that stack.
For the Discipleship Challenge, make copies of the Footsteps Pattern, one copy per child in color or black and white, on cardstock if possible, plus extras.
Make one copy of the Dedication Card Pattern in color or black and white per child, on cardstock if possible, plus extras.
Assemble a sample craft to show children as they make their own.
Who can say today’s SuperTruth from memory? “I can serve God today.”
Point to the blocks on the table. This single block represents Samuel. The stack of blocks represent Eli’s older sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who served as priests. Why do you think that there is only one block to represent Samuel instead of a tall stack? He was a young boy when he served Eli in the Tabernacle.
Some Bible scholars believe he was about 12 years old when God called him.
Samuel would do great things during his life for the Lord. However, Samuel began serving God doing smaller tasks in the Tabernacle. As Samuel proved himself a faithful servant, God trusted him to do greater works of service.
Have a volunteer read Luke 16:10.
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
Do you know who said this? Jesus.
Jesus did! Which part of the verse describes Samuel’s dedication to serving the Lord? The first part.
Which part of the verse describes Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas? The second part.
Have a volunteer read 1 Samuel 2:12–13a.
12 Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels who had no respect for the Lord 13 or for their duties as priests.
A scoundrel is a dishonest and wicked person. The two men did not respect God or place any value on serving Him as priests. Was God pleased with Hophni and Phinehas? No.
Were the people pleased with them? No.
Why not? Eli’s sons stole the best part of the people’s offerings which were reserved for God!
Take away a block from the sons’ stack of blocks. Have a volunteer read 1 Samuel 2:17.
So the sin of these young men was very serious in the Lord’s sight, for they treated the Lord’s offerings with contempt.
Take another block away from the sons’ stack. Have a volunteer read 1 Samuel 2:18.
But Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the Lord. He wore a linen garment like that of a priest.
Look at the contrast or difference between Eli’s sons and Samuel. As priests, Eli’s sons sinned against God. Samuel wore a linen garment like a priest as he obeyed and served the Lord. Young Samuel was not officially a priest, yet he honored God and served Him more faithfully than the older priests!
Add the two blocks to Samuel’s stack. What happened when the people told Eli about the evil things his sons were doing? Eli talked to his sons, but they would not listen!
God had enough; He had plans to punish their sin!
Take two more blocks off the sons’ stack. Have a volunteer read 1 Samuel 2:26.
Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew taller and grew in favor with the Lord and with the people.
Add the two blocks to Samuel’s stack. Look at the two stacks now. Hophni and Phinehas have fallen out of favor with God and the people. Samuel grew physically and in favor with God and the people as he faithfully served the Lord.
Have a volunteer read 1 Samuel 3:1.
Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.
This verse is very important to understand. How amazing to think that messages from God were very rare then—yet God chose a young boy to deliver His word! Eli and his sons were grown men, and they were priests in the Tabernacle, yet God chose to speak to them through a boy! Samuel delivered the message to Eli, showing He was faithful and trustworthy.
Take the last two blocks from the sons’ stack. Add the two blocks to Samuel’s stack. Have the volunteer read 1 Samuel 3:19.
As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.
Point to Samuel’s stack. Samuel’s mother dedicated him to God even before he was born. God was with Samuel as he grew. The people trusted Samuel as a faithful leader. He demonstrated love, honor and respect for God and His people. Now, it is time for our Discipleship Challenge where you will be challenged to dedicate your lives to the Lord every day!
Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application
Give each child a Footsteps Pattern and Dedication Card.
Samuel was dedicated to the Lord at a young age. Just like Samuel, the Lord is with us and will direct our steps as we dedicate our lives to Him.
The challenge for this course is to place your Footsteps Pattern on the floor by your bed. Then, when you get up each morning, step on it and say a prayer to dedicate your footsteps to the Lord that day. Ask Him to lead you and speak to you throughout the day. A good way to start your prayer is to say what Samuel said. What did he say? “Speak Lord, Your servant is listening!”
Then be sure to listen for His quiet voice speaking inside your heart. When you have finished praying, color one of the footprints to show that you remembered to do the challenge that day. The next time we meet, I will ask how God spoke to you and directed your steps. The other part of the challenge is to look up the first scripture on your Dedication Card—Psalm 37:23–24. Be prepared to discuss the meaning in our next class.
Optional: if time allows, read and discuss Psalm 37:23–24. Discuss how God cares about your life, directs your steps, and helps you if you experience difficulty as you serve Him.