Kings and Prophets · Lesson 5
God Calls Samuel
1 Samuel 3:1-21 Old Testament PrincipleObedience
When God's word was rare in Israel, God called the boy Samuel by name, and Samuel learned to say, "Speak, for Your servant is listening."
We obey God by listening to His Word and doing what He says, because He loves us and speaks to us first.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
1 Samuel 3:10 BSB
Christ Connection · Better than
God spoke through Samuel and the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus is God's final and best Word, and He still calls His sheep by name.
Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:1-14; John 10:27
The Big Story · Redemption
When God's people had stopped listening, God raised up Samuel to speak His word. God spoke through many prophets, and finally through His Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Whose voice is it?
- Dasch’s Dig Site (bible-times history): The lamp of God
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Here I am!
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
I can listen to God.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Here I am!, Color Samuel
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
God called Samuel by name, and Samuel listened and obeyed. I can listen to God and obey Him too.
Start here
Ask, "Have you ever heard someone call your name, but you didn't know who it was?" Let a few kids share. Say, "Today a boy hears his name in the middle of the night. Who could it be?"
Bible story 6 min
Samuel was a boy who lived at God's house. He helped old Eli the priest. Back then, God did not talk to people much.
One night, Samuel lay down near the lamp of God. Then he heard a voice. "Samuel!"
Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. "Here I am! You called me." Eli said, "I did not call you. Go back to bed." It happened a second time. Then a third time!
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Listening game 8 min
You’ll need: A blindfold
- Blindfold one child. Another child quietly says their name from somewhere in the room.
- The blindfolded child points to where the voice came from and guesses who it was.
- Ask, "What helps you know someone's voice?" (Being with them a lot!)
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3rd – 4th grade
God called Samuel by name in a dark time, and Samuel learned to listen to God's word and obey it, even when it was hard.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Listen and obey, Cup phones
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at school, online and on screens
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
God broke the silence by calling Samuel to speak His word, and in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, so we listen and obey.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: God has spoken, A listening heart
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, with friends, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Obedience
The same principle in other Bible stories.
In the Beginning · Lesson 10God Calls MosesExodus 2:1-3:15; Exodus 4:1-17God saw His suffering people and came down to rescue them, and He called Moses to go, promising, "I will be with you."Old TestamentObedience
Kings and Prophets · Lesson 1The Walls of JerichoJoshua 6:1-27; Joshua 2:1-21God told Israel to march around Jericho for seven days, and when they trusted and obeyed, God made the walls fall down flat.Old TestamentObedience