Baby Blues

November 17, 2024

Read: 1 Samuel 1:4-20

From: God’s Word, My Voice:
Elkanah had two wives whom he loved. His wife Penny had lots of children, but he especially loved Hannah, who had none. Penny used to remind Hannah of this all the time. Hannah would go to the temple to pray and cry as she begged God to send her children. Her husband worried about her because sometimes she would be so sad she wouldn’t eat. He would say to her, “Why are you crying? Why are you so sad? You’ve got me. Aren’t I better than ten sons?” That didn’t make her feel any better.

One day Hannah was crying in the temple. Her prayer that day was for a son. She promised that if God sent her a son, she would dedicate him to God. She was crying so hard that no noise was coming out of her. Eli, the priest in the temple, thought she was drunk and told her to pull herself together and stop drinking.

Hannah said, “No, sir. I haven’t been drinking. I’m just hurting so badly and I’ve been pouring out my heart to God.” Eli said, “Go in peace then, my dear. God will answer your prayer.” That made Hannah feel better and she went back home.

It wasn’t long before Hannah and Elkanah welcomed a baby boy into their family and they named him Samuel, which means, “I asked God for him.”

Talk: 

Have you ever heard a promise like the one Hannah made before?
Why do you think Hannah made those promises? 
Have you ever had to wait a very, very long time for something?
How did you stay patient while you waited?

Parents, tell your children the story of how they joined your family.
Were they a surprise or did you pray like Hannah? (or both?)
How did you pick their name(s)? Do you know what that name means?
What gifts or special things do they bring to the family?
If you are an older sibling, talk about what it was like to find out you were going to have a sibling?

Finish with Prayer:
God, Thank you for making us a family.
Thank you for providing us with: (something God has given you)
God today we thank you for: (something or someone you’re grateful for)
God today we need your help with: (something hard or difficult you need to do)
God today please be with: (someone who may be sick, sad, or hurt)
We ask all this in Jesus’ name.

Amen