Plate It - Week 3
Step 3: Listen to God
Kids love to be in the kitchen. They may even love helping prepare something delicious! Having a plan or a recipe usually helps, too. Just like having a plan in the kitchen helps the meal we hope to enjoy, the stories of the Old Testament prophets are like a cookbook that helped people prepare for the Savior that God would send one day. Even though there’s no exact recipe, our families will find that they can prepare themselves for a loving relationship with God when they 1) trust God, 2) talk to God, 3) listen to God, and 4) leave the results to God.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Jesus Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
Toddler Twist: "I am made by God!" Ephesians 2:10
MV COLORING PAGE: Ephesians 2:10
READ: God Calls Samuel: I Samuel 3:1-10; 19-21; Proverbs 2:1-5
WATCH:
Preschool- teaching video
Elementary- teaching video
SONG:
DISCIPLE:
Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10; God Calls Samuel.
Have you ever been around someone cooking popcorn? How do you know when the popcorn is done? You hear lots and lots of popping, and then the popping slows down until you hear about one pop every few seconds.
Play a popcorn popping sound from youtube.
It's super important to listen carefully! If you get distracted and stop paying attention to the slowing of the pops, what happens? It overcooks and burns. You've missed the timing!
Paying attention to the popcorn popping is similar to how we need to pay attention to what God has to say to us — otherwise we might miss it completely! Tuning in to what God wants to say to you each day is so much butter than just popping in every now and then. So, every day this week, let's make it a point to not forget step three, listen to God.
Pray: Dear God, thank you that you are always near, ready to speak to us. We're listening! Help us to understand you and your plans for us more as we listen. Amen,
DISCUSSION:
Who did Samuel think was calling his name? Who was actually calling Samuel?
What did Eli tell Samuel to do when God called him the next time?
How did God continue to reveal who God is to Samuel?
Read Proverbs 2:1. How do you store up things people say? How does storing up things God says help us?
Have you ever heard God speak to you?
Who is someone in your life who can help you recognize and respond to God’s voice?
How can you make space to listen to God without distractions?