Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

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The Boy Who Listened When God Called His Name in the Night
(1 Samuel 2:12-36; 3:1-10)

Eli was the high priest of Israel, and he had two sons named Hophni and Phinehas. But these sons were very wicked men. They did not care about God or His laws. When people came to the tabernacle to offer sacrifices to God, Hophni and Phinehas would take the best meat for themselves before the sacrifices were even offered to God. They also did shameful things that made God very angry. Eli knew his sons were doing evil things, but he did not stop them. He spoke weak words to them, but he never took away their jobs as priests. So God sent a prophet to Eli with a terrible message. God said, "I am going to punish your family forever because you honored your sons more than you honored me." It was a sad and scary warning.

At that same time, there was a young boy named Samuel who lived and served at the tabernacle. His mother Hannah had dedicated him to God when he was just a little boy. Now he was growing up, and he helped Eli the priest every day. Samuel wore a little linen robe like the priests wore. He would open the doors of the tabernacle and do simple jobs for Eli. He was a good boy who loved God, but he did not know God in a personal way yet. He had never heard God speak directly to him.

One night, Samuel was sleeping in the tabernacle near the ark of God. The lamp of God had not gone out yet, so it was still night. Samuel heard a voice call his name. "Samuel. Samuel." He jumped up and ran to Eli. "Here I am, for you called me," he said. But Eli said, "I did not call you. Go back to sleep." So Samuel went back to his bed. The voice called again, "Samuel." Samuel got up and went to Eli again. "Here I am, for you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call you. Go back to sleep." This happened a third time. Samuel did not know it was the Lord calling him because he had never heard God's voice before.

Finally, Eli understood what was happening. He told Samuel, "Go back to bed. If the voice calls you again, say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went back to his place. The Lord came and stood there. He called out as he had before, "Samuel. Samuel." This time Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening." And the Lord gave Samuel a message. It was a hard message about Eli and his wicked sons. God said he would punish Eli's family forever because of their sins. Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the bad news, but he told him everything the Lord had said. Eli said, "It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him."

This story shows us how important it is to listen when God speaks. Samuel was just a boy, but God chose to speak to him. And Samuel listened. He did not run away. He did not pretend he did not hear. He said, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." That is what every one of us can say to God today.

A Curious Question

Why did God speak to a young boy like Samuel instead of speaking through the high priest Eli, who was the most important religious leader in all of Israel?

Jesus Connection

Samuel was a faithful servant who listened to God and delivered God's message to the people. He pointed forward to Jesus, the ultimate prophet. In John 1, we learn that Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. Just as Samuel heard God's voice and spoke it clearly, Jesus is God's perfect message to us. Samuel was a boy who grew up serving in the tabernacle, but Jesus is the Son of God who came to save us from our sins. Samuel spoke God's judgment on Eli's family, but Jesus took God's judgment for our sins on the cross. Samuel said, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Jesus always listened to his Father and did everything he was sent to do. Because of Jesus, we can hear God's voice through the Bible and through his Spirit.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why did Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas make God angry? What did they do wrong?
  2. How do you think Samuel felt when he kept hearing a voice in the night and did not know who it was?
  3. What does it mean to say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening"? How can we listen to God today?

"So What?" What Can I Do?

  • When you read your Bible or hear a lesson at church, ask God to help you understand what he wants to tell you.
  • When you pray, take time to be quiet and listen. God may speak to your heart through his Word or through a thought he gives you.
  • If God shows you something you need to do or change, obey him right away, just like Samuel obeyed and told Eli the whole message.

Memorize God's Word

1 Samuel 3:10: "Speak, for your servant is listening."

  • Speak cup your hands around your mouth like you are calling out.
  • for your servant point to yourself and bow your head low like a servant bowing.
  • is listening cup your hand behind your ear and lean forward to hear.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank you for speaking to us through your Word. Help us to listen like Samuel did. Give us ears that hear your voice and hearts that want to obey. We want to say, "Speak, Lord, for your servants are listening." In Jesus' name, amen.

Craft or Activity

Listening Ears Headband

Children will create a headband with large paper ears to remind them to listen for God's voice like Samuel did.

Materials Checklist:

☐ Construction paper

☐ Scissors

☐ Glue sticks

☐ Markers or crayons

How to Make the Listening Ears Headband:
  1. Cut a long strip of paper that fits around your head like a headband. Tape or glue the ends together to make a circle.
  2. Cut out two large ear shapes from another piece of paper. Make them big and round like elephant ears or like giant human ears.
  3. Color or decorate the ears with markers. Write the words "Listen" or "Speak, Lord" on each ear.
  4. Glue or tape the ears to the sides of your headband so they stick up.
  5. Wear your headband to remember to listen to God's voice every day.

Effective Teaching Techniques

For Younger Children: Use a soft whisper when you read the part where God calls Samuel. Let the children whisper back, "Here I am." This will help them feel the wonder of God's voice calling to Samuel.

For Older Kids: Talk about how God still speaks today through the Bible and through the Holy Spirit. Challenge them to spend five minutes in quiet prayer this week, just listening.

Classroom Management: Before the story, have the children close their eyes and be completely silent for ten seconds. Then ask them what they heard. This helps them practice listening before you teach the lesson.

Prep Shortcut: Pre-cut the paper strips for the headbands and the ear shapes so younger children can focus on decorating and assembling instead of cutting difficult shapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why didn't Samuel know it was God calling him?
Samuel had never heard God speak to him before, so when he heard his name called in the night, he thought it was Eli calling him.
What did Eli tell Samuel to say?
Eli told Samuel that if the voice called again, he should say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'
What message did God give Samuel for Eli?
God told Samuel that He would punish Eli's family forever because Eli honored his sons more than he honored God.