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Small Group Guide:
Open with prayer.
Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?
If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.
Throughout this sermon series we will look at 4 examples of parenting in God’s Word. In this passage of God’s Word, we see one of the rare good examples of parenting. By taking a look at Hannah’s story in this passage of Scripture, we can realize 3 essential truths of parenting:
1 Samuel 1:19-20
They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.”
- 1. You don’t own your kids, God does.
1 Samuel 1:22
But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.”
- 2. Parenting well, means letting go well
1 Samuel 1:16
Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.”
- 3. Parenting is deeply emotional, and that’s ok
Discussion Time:
- If you’ve been following along since week 1, write down those names of kids in your life. If you haven’t followed along, where are you in the scope of parenting? Are you a parent? Grandparent? Future parent? Are you a support of other parents by being an uncle, aunt, a cousin, friend, teacher, mentor, ect.? Take some time to jot down those specific names down.
- In this story, Hannah is exceptional at realizing that her child is not her own… he is the Lord’s. She realizes that God has a plan for her child. How well do you recognize that your children are not your own, but God’s?
- Read Ezekiel 18:4 and Ephesians 2:10. How are you preparing your children for what God has prepared for them? How can you do that better?
- What is your biggest take away from this passage of God’s Word? What did God teach you? Do you feel led to put anything into action? If so, what, and what practical step(s) do you need to take to be obedient to what God has led you to do? Who can keep you accountable to accomplishing this?
Prayer Time:
Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.
Staying Missional:
Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:
Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
What’s next?
Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?