The following are discussion questions from a weekly study I am leading through the book of 1 Samuel.  We meet each Wednesday evening at the Deer Run Church of Christ.

Here Comes A King:
A Study of the Book of 1 Samuel

Lesson 2 (Returning The Gift)
1 Samuel 1:21-2:11

The Text:

1. After Samuel is born, what does Elkanah do?  What did Hannah do?  Why do you think she made the decision she did?
    
2. What does Hannah do when she finally returns to Shiloh?
    
3. What attitude seems to stand out in Hannah’s prayer?  What is her view of God?
    
4. In Hannah’s prayer, how does she acknowledge God changing the circumstances of people?  What seems to determine a negative change versus a positive one? 
    
5. Who makes the trip home?  Where is Samuel and what is he now doing?  How do you think Hannah felt about that?  

The Application:

1. How hard is it to keep your promises to God?  What things make it easier or harder?  How do you prepare for the fulfillment of your promises to God?
    
2. When the “Lord confirms His word”, how tempting is it to put off what you know needs done?  How is your worship and the keeping of your promises to God connected?   
    
3. How do you think Hannah can “rejoice in the Lord” at a time when she is “giving up” the answer to her prayers?  How hard is it to rejoice when you have to give something up to keep a promise?
    
4. What does Hannah’s prayer say to you about pride and arrogance?  Do you typically find yourself feeling crushed by God or lifted up by God?  Does this say more about God or more about you?
    
5. In keeping your promises to God, particularly in giving something to God, how hard is it to just let go?  When you know that things you have given up are being used by God, how does that make you feel about following through with what you promised?

    

Next week: 1 Samuel 2:12-36
Bad Boys