The story of Samuel (1 Samuel 1-3) is a good example to those boys and girls (and grown-ups) whom God is calling to prophesy.
1 Learn from what Your Parents have Done and are Doing
- Elkanah (Samuel’s father): worshipped God (1:3), was committed to God’s Word, going yearly to sacrifice (1:21), and was committed to God’s purposes being fulfilled in Samuel’s life, saying “only let the Word of the Lord be fulfilled” (1:23).
- Hannah (Samuel’s mother): prayed for him (1:10-11), nurtured him (1:23), prophesied (2:1-10), and honoured and encouraged him, providing a yearly robe for his priestly duties (2:19).
- Both parents let him go so that he could serve God (1:28 & 2:11).
2 Learn to Worship
- Samuel began to live his whole life for God (1:28).
3 Learn to be a Partner Following Someone Else’s Lead
- He served the Lord under the leadership of Eli the priest (2:11).
4 Learn to not be Affected by the Bad Example of Others
- Eli’s sons were doing evil things but Samuel kept himself pure (2:12-18).
5 Learn to Help People Come near to God
- Samuel’s priestly clothes (ephod and robe) show that his work was in helping people to be friends of God (2:18).
6 Learn to Keep Moving on with God
- People could see that Samuel was growing his ministry (2:26).
7 Learn to do Ordinary Jobs
- Samuel’s daily duty was opening the doors of the house of the Lord (3:15).
8 Learn to Listen to God
- When God first spoke to him, Samuel did not know what was happening (3:4-15).
9 Learn to Speak what God has Shown You
- Samuel was afraid to give Eli the serious message from God but Eli persuaded him to share it (3:15-18).
10 Learn to Handle Growing Responsibility
- Because Samuel continued to hear from God, many people looked to him to lead them (3:19-21).
