Not-So-Quiet-Time: 1 Samuel 3
At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 5/10
Day 1: Verses 1-3
During Eli’s day, the Word of the Lord was exceedingly rare. Today, especially in our culture, God’s Word is more available than ever. Hebrews 1 tells us that in the past God spoke in many ways, but now he has spoken to us through his Son. And 2 Timothy 3 explains that all Scripture is breathed out by God—it is his voice, his Words. Take some time to thank God that his Word is not rare today. And ask Him to help you and your family to feast on his Book because we don’t live on bread alone, but on every word from God’s mouth (Matt 4:4).
Day 2: Verses 4-7
Samuel was hearing the audible voice of God, but did not grasp that. And we are no more perceptive than he was. We would never know or recognize God without his work to reveal Himself to us. God speaking to us in a way that we can grasp is grace: an unearned gift. Pray that God would, by his Holy Spirit, open your ears more and more to what He has to say. Ask Him to reveal Himself to your family and to help you know Him.
Day 3: Verses 8-9
It took a little while, but eventually Eli understood what was happening. As an older and more experienced believer, he pointed Samuel toward the Lord. And he developed Samuel’s understanding. We all need people to point us to the Lord and encourage us to respond to God’s voice. Who are the people who have pointed you to God’s Word? Thank God for them. Who are the people that God has called you to point toward Him? Pray that God would help you faithfully lead them toward Him today.
Day 4: Verses 10-18
When Samuel hears the Lord this time, he responds with the wise words Eli had given to him. Samuel understands that he is a servant. God is the Lord—the Ruler—and Samuel must listen and obey. When God tells Samuel the tragic news about Eli’s family, Samuel conveys that message to Eli even though he is afraid. And then we see what might be Eli’s best moment when he says, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him” (18). Eli also understood that he too was a servant of God and lived that out as an example to Samuel. Pray that God would help you follow Him as his faithful servant today.
Day 5: Verses 19-21
Look at the amazing ways in which God made Samuel a successful prophet. First, God was with Samuel. And the Lord empowered what Samuel spoke by not letting any of “his words fall to the ground” (19). God “established” Samuel as someone who worked for Him (20). And, finally, God appeared again. Was it in a pillar of fire? No. Was it on a mountain-top accompanied by lightning? No. This time God “revealed himself… by the word of the Lord” (21). Pray that God would work in your life and make you successful for Him by the power of his Word.
Catechism Connection: 35, 2
This chapter shows Samuel growing, being sanctified. Sanctification is God’s work “by which we are renewed… in the image of God and by which we are enabled more and more to die to sin and live to righteousness” (WSC 35). And God does this through “the Word of God… to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him” (WSC 2).
Monthly Memory: Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Day 1: Verses 1-3
During Eli’s day, the Word of the Lord was exceedingly rare. Today, especially in our culture, God’s Word is more available than ever. Hebrews 1 tells us that in the past God spoke in many ways, but now he has spoken to us through his Son. And 2 Timothy 3 explains that all Scripture is breathed out by God—it is his voice, his Words. Take some time to thank God that his Word is not rare today. And ask Him to help you and your family to feast on his Book because we don’t live on bread alone, but on every word from God’s mouth (Matt 4:4).
Day 2: Verses 4-7
Samuel was hearing the audible voice of God, but did not grasp that. And we are no more perceptive than he was. We would never know or recognize God without his work to reveal Himself to us. God speaking to us in a way that we can grasp is grace: an unearned gift. Pray that God would, by his Holy Spirit, open your ears more and more to what He has to say. Ask Him to reveal Himself to your family and to help you know Him.
Day 3: Verses 8-9
It took a little while, but eventually Eli understood what was happening. As an older and more experienced believer, he pointed Samuel toward the Lord. And he developed Samuel’s understanding. We all need people to point us to the Lord and encourage us to respond to God’s voice. Who are the people who have pointed you to God’s Word? Thank God for them. Who are the people that God has called you to point toward Him? Pray that God would help you faithfully lead them toward Him today.
Day 4: Verses 10-18
When Samuel hears the Lord this time, he responds with the wise words Eli had given to him. Samuel understands that he is a servant. God is the Lord—the Ruler—and Samuel must listen and obey. When God tells Samuel the tragic news about Eli’s family, Samuel conveys that message to Eli even though he is afraid. And then we see what might be Eli’s best moment when he says, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him” (18). Eli also understood that he too was a servant of God and lived that out as an example to Samuel. Pray that God would help you follow Him as his faithful servant today.
Day 5: Verses 19-21
Look at the amazing ways in which God made Samuel a successful prophet. First, God was with Samuel. And the Lord empowered what Samuel spoke by not letting any of “his words fall to the ground” (19). God “established” Samuel as someone who worked for Him (20). And, finally, God appeared again. Was it in a pillar of fire? No. Was it on a mountain-top accompanied by lightning? No. This time God “revealed himself… by the word of the Lord” (21). Pray that God would work in your life and make you successful for Him by the power of his Word.
Catechism Connection: 35, 2
This chapter shows Samuel growing, being sanctified. Sanctification is God’s work “by which we are renewed… in the image of God and by which we are enabled more and more to die to sin and live to righteousness” (WSC 35). And God does this through “the Word of God… to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him” (WSC 2).
Monthly Memory: Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
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