1 Samuel 3:1 to 3:10 God knows each of us by name, and we can listen to his voice in the Bible with ready hearts. Discover how God called young Samuel three times by name. Learn the humble answer: 'Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.' Practice listening quietly to God's Word in Sunday school and at bedtime. Young Samuel was serving the Lord under the elderly priest Eli at the tabernacle in Shiloh, where the golden lamp of God burned through the night. Sleeping Near the Ark Young Samuel served the Lord in the tabernacle at Shiloh with the old priest Eli. One quiet night, the golden lamp of God was still shining gently, and Samuel was lying down near the Ark of the Covenant. Eli was sleeping in his own room nearby, his eyesight growing dim. Everything was still and peaceful. A Voice in the Quiet Night Suddenly, a voice called through the stillness: 'Samuel! Samuel!' Thinking Eli had called him, Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli's bedside: 'Here I am; you called me.' But Eli said: 'I did not call; lie down again.' Samuel went and lay down. Again the voice called: 'Samuel!' Samuel ran to Eli a second time, and a third time! Eli then realized that the Lord was calling the young boy. Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Hears Eli gave Samuel wonderful instructions: 'Go, lie down, and if he calls you, say, Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.' Samuel went back to bed. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at other times: 'Samuel! Samuel!' Samuel answered with a willing, listening heart: 'Speak, for your servant hears.' God spoke wonderful words to Samuel, and Samuel grew up to be a faithful prophet of the Lord. And Samuel said, Speak, for your servant hears. 1 Samuel 3:10 Whose voice did young Samuel hear calling him in the night? A passing traveler The voice of the Lord God A noisy bird A palace soldier The voice of the Lord God The Lord God called Samuel by name in the quiet of the night. What did Eli tell Samuel to say when God called him again? Go away, I am sleeping Speak, Lord, for your servant hears I want to go home Call Eli instead Speak, Lord, for your servant hears Eli taught Samuel to respond humbly: 'Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.' How does God speak to us today? Through the Bible, his holy Word Only through loud thunder He never speaks to children Through television commercials Through the Bible, his holy Word God speaks clearly to us today through the scriptures in the Bible. Before opening your Bible or saying bedtime prayers this week, say quietly in your heart: 'Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.' Lord God, thank you that you know our names and care about us. Teach our ears to listen to your Word and help our hearts obey your truth each day. Amen. Why was it so special that God called Samuel by his own name? How can you be a good listener when your parents or teachers read the Bible to you? Encourage young children to cultivate listening, respectful hearts when God's Word is taught. Whisper a child's name across the room very softly to show how carefully we need to listen for quiet voices. Will I hear God speak out loud in my room? Explain that God spoke to Samuel before the complete Bible was written; today God speaks directly to our hearts through Scripture. 5 minutes hook, 12 minutes story, 8 minutes memory verse, 10 minutes application and prayer.