Heart Over Hype: Speaking and Listening

Use this curriculum to help you further engage with the sermon, the scriptures, and each other. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring things up to encourage and guide you so that you are always growing in your faith. If the Spirit leads you away from these questions and into conversation and prayer that encourages and points you to Jesus, go for it.

scripture

Read the following scriptures together: 1 Samuel 3.

overview

Here in this passage, we get a glimpse into what Samuel’s mentorship with Eli looked like as well as the most important area of his spiritual growth: learning to discern God’s voice. Historical records estimate that Samuel was about 12 years old at this time, so he had been living in the Temple and sleeping in the presence of God for almost a decade. Yet he still hadn’t learned to discern the voice of God until his mentor Eli realized what was happening and taught Samuel the heart posture to have in receiving God’s message. It is possible for people to spend years in church without ever learning to discern the voice of God. This passage shows the value of active learning as well as posturing our hearts to be open to hearing God’s messages to us.

question 1

How have you learned to discern the voice of God in your own life? Did you learn through a particular teaching or through a mentor?

discussion

Read Hebrews 1:1-2. In the Old Testament days, God mostly revealed himself through the prophets, but we know he chose to reveal his character and teachings in Christ, and today he continues to reveal himself through the Holy Spirit. A revelation from God is valuable to us as we can receive clear guidelines, personal comfort, a deeper connection with God, and an eternal perspective. When the trials in our personal life or the world at large start to weigh us down, a revelation – a reminder from God – can help to pull us up and steady our worries and anxieties. Samuel slept near the presence of God; we have been given access to God’s presence as well and it’s up to us to quiet our hearts and minds and ask God to reveal to us what we need in any given moment.

question 2

God reveals himself through his Word, teachings, other people, and his Holy Spirit. Have you had a reminder or correction from the Lord recently? Share with the group to encourage one another and give glory to God.

After Samuel received the message from God, he was afraid to share his vision until Eli urged young Samuel to tell him everything. Eli didn’t turn out to be the kind of father who mentored his own sons or held them accountable, but his response to God’s message is spot on – “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes” (verse 18). This humble and reverent attitude is a model and reminder for each of us when we hear a message that we don’t like or agree with. We might consider pushing back or justifying why we ought not listen to a truth, but Eli chose well, and he remembered that God is sovereign and the One whose plans are best. 

question 3

Let’s face it: we’re all stubborn sometimes, thinking we know what’s best. But that mindset just causes anxiety, fuels pride, and damages relationships. How do we learn to step back and let God lead?

weekly application

The lessons from this passage are rich: learning to discern God’s voice, positioning ourselves to hear from God, and exercising the humility to obey. Spend some time practicing these this week and look for the Lord to show up.