Text: 1 Samuel 1:1-20
The story of Hannah and her search for God bridges the transition from the time of the judges to kingship in Israel. Times of transition are of immense importance because God reveals His purposes within them.
https://youtu.be/Zu05RI3brD8
General
- Go around and share a highlight and a low light since you last met.
- What stood out to you in the sermon?
- What was one thing in the sermon that was challenging?
- What was one thing in the sermon that was encouraging?
- What do you want to be different this week in your life?
Sermon Specific
- The period of the judges ends with this pronouncement: everyone did what was right in their own eyes. Name three way in which our culture matches this statement and name three ways in which our culture does not match this statement.
- Hannah experienced harsh bullying from her rival Peninnah but also from her own internal voice. Both external and internal sources told her she was worthless. Name a time when you experienced harsh treatment from either an external or an internal source that made you feel worthless. How did you find strength and resilience amid this tribulation?
- Hannah’s husband Elkanah asks her why his love is not enough for her. Our culture often matches Elkanah’s sentiment, but the Bible makes it clear that a spouse is not enough. Why can’t a spouse fulfill us totally and what happens when we put that kind of pressure on one person?
- Eli is so out of sync with God that he does not recognize earnest prayer when he sees it. Phil stressed that our Canadian church is in danger of following Eli’s example. What leads a church to fall out of sync with Jesus?
- Praying out of anguish is not a sin but sometimes it feels wrong. What gets in the way of pouring our hearts out before God?
