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Group Discussion
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Samuel - Hearing God in the Chaos
May 9,2026
Week 1: Dedicating the NextGen
Jeff Griffin
1 Samuel 1:1-28
Ever feel like your world is just noise? With so many competing voices, how do you recognize which one is God’s? Join us as we step into the story of Samuel and learn how to tune our ears to God’s voice in the middle of the chaos. Discover how He still speaks and leads ordinary people into lives of purpose and lasting impact.
What saying of your mother’s (or a mother figure in your life) do you still use?
1. Read 1 Samuel 1:1-8. What was Hannah’s situation? How was her situation made worse by Peninnah? Have you ever had someone whose good fortune made you feel bad about your lesser circumstances? What did you do to cope with that?
2. Now read 1 Samuel 1:9-16. What indications do we get that Hannah’s prayer is deeply heartfelt? Jeff pointed out that Hannah wasn’t making a fool’s bargain with God, rather she was prompted by Him. How did Hannah’s need intersect with God’s need? How does this make you think differently about prayer?
3. Continue reading 1 Samuel 1:17-20. How does Hannah react to Eli’s blessing? This is one of those happy ending stories. We read that “the Lord remembered her [Hannah].” How does Hannah remember the Lord [she names her son Samuel: heard by God]? What do you do to remember God when He answers your prayers?
4. Finally, read 1 Samuel 1:21-28. What does Hannah say her intention is for Samuel? How does Elkanah react? What does this reveal about Elkanah’s relationship with God?
I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:27-28a, NIV)
5. In his sermon Jeff pointed out that Christ-following parents are to dedicate their children to the Lord and trust the Lord with their children, as Hannah has exemplified. Who (or what) in your life is God asking you to dedicate and entrust to Him? How much have you done so already? What new steps is God asking you to take right now?
Whether it’s struggles with children, or other life circumstances that cause us pain, we can follow Hannah’s example in praying earnestly and surrendering wholeheartedly in the midst of the difficulty. Pray as a group to be sensitive to God’s comfort and God’s guidance.
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11, NIV)