A Legacy of Hope

1. A Legacy of Hope May 13

2. Think About It … • What are some situations where a person feels hopeless? • Everyone feels hopeless at some point in life … and we seek a way out • Sometimes we put our hope in unreliable people or flimsy circumstances • Today we study how true hope is found only in God

3. The Rest of the Story • Imagine you have one final opportunity to speak to the people with whom you have worked or led. What kinds of things would you want to say? • This chapter contains Samuel’s closing address to the people he had served. Listen if there are similar comments as ours.

4. Listen to Samuel’s advice. 1 Samuel 12:23-24 (NIV) As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. [24] But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

5. The Rest of the Story • What does Samuel promise to do? • What advice does he give? • Prophets and judges, including Samuel, had led the people of Israel for some period of time. Now the people want a king. How would you feel if people are rejecting your leadership?

6. The Rest of the Story • Why do you think Samuel agreed to pray for the people even though they seemed to be rejecting him? Samuel wanted to give hope to a people who had sinned against God.  Now we look at Samuel’s background … why he became this man of God

7. Listen for Samuel’s mother’s attitude before he was born. 1 Samuel 1:10-20 (NIV) In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. [11] And she made a vow, saying, "O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

8. Listen for Samuel’s mother’s attitude before he was born. [12] As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. [13] Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk [14] and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." [15] "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled.

9. Listen for Samuel’s mother’s attitude before he was born. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. [16] Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." [17] Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." [18] She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes."

10. Listen for Samuel’s mother’s attitude before he was born. Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. [19] Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. [20] So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the Lord for him."

11. Flashback: A Prayer of Desperation • What emotions do you see expressed or demonstrated by Hannah? • If Hannah lived today, what might she have done to help solve her hopeless problem? • Why is it more important to take our hopeless problems and requests to God? • What good things started to happen once Hannah began trusting and hoping in the Lord?

12. Flashback: A Prayer of Desperation • What kinds of things previously kept Hannah from trusting God? What kinds of things keep us from putting our hope in God? • How do we overcome those attitudes? • What was the momentous promise she made to God?

13. Flashback: A Prayer of Desperation • What about this vow … as a parent, what kind of reaction do you feel?  Yet God heard her vow and honored it

14. Listen for how Hannah kept her vow. 1 Samuel 1:27-2:1 (NIV) I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. [28] So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." And he worshiped the Lord there. [2:1] Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.

15. A Promise Fulfilled • What was Hannah’s testimony concerning her child? • How would it feel to be delivered or vindicated by God? • What was her prayer?

16. A Promise Fulfilled • Why are parents sometimes reluctant to have their children involved in full-time ministry? • What would Hanna say to those kinds of attitudes?

17. Application • People who are called to serve God will be given all the resources they need • Service to God is the highest calling – to all of us – not just to full time Christian workers • Follow Samuel’s advice and fear the Lord, serve Him faithfully, and meditate often on the great things He has done for you

18. Application • Take your burdens to the Lord • Believe that God can answer your prayer • Trust Him to answer in ways that is best according to His wisdom and Love • Be honest in confessing heartbreak and desperation

19. Application • Keep your vows to the Lord • Be good stewards of the children and grandchildren whom God has entrusted to your care • Pray for those babies we see dedicated in our church – and their families • This week praise the Lord often … thank Him … bless His name

20. A Legacy of Hope May 13