Date: November 19, 2017
Hannah: Trust-Filled Prayer
The Point: Christ-centered living chooses prayer, not hopelessness.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to supplement Question #1.
Begin by sharing this news item:
Ed Sheeran, an English singer-songwriter, has sold more than 26 million albums. Recently he was interviewed for a PBS program, talking about his career. Sheeran said, “I wouldn’t class myself as talented. I think you have to work for talent. Like I couldn’t really play guitar or sing, and I learned how to do both. I couldn’t really write a song, and then I learned how to do it. I think persistence is worth more than talent. I came to London and was not the best singer-songwriter or the best performer in the scene that I was in. But the more and more you work at something you give yourself no choice but to get better. I think persistence for me was the key.”
Say: Persistence can be key in many different areas of life. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you been persistent in asking for something you really wanted?) (PSG, p. 107) and invite the group to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/ed-sheeran-persistence-is-worth-more-than-talent/
— Donna McKinney wrote this Leader Extra. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to supplement Question #2.
Begin by calling attention to Question #2 (What are some ways people deal with deep disappointment or unresolved pain?) (PSG, p. 109) and invite the group to respond. After they have responded, share this news item:
Sarah Harmening, a 17-year-old from Huntsville, Alabama, died in June of this year in a bus accident. She was on the bus headed to a mission trip in Botswana. Sarah was part of an International World Changers team from her home church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, when the accident occurred. After Sarah died, her parents began fundraising, planning to give any money they raised toward mission projects. Sarah had written an entry in her journal while on the bus, just before she died. She had been reading 1 Peter 5 and 2 Peter 1 when she wrote, “So mostly I was just reminded of why I’m here and that God has called me here and has done so for a reason. So I know He’s going to do incredible things.” One of those “incredible things” is the fundraising effort following Sarah’s death. On October 25th, her parents and three sisters visited the International Mission Board and presented a check for $91,120.00 raised in memory of Sarah. The money is going to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions.
Say: There are many ways to deal with the pain following the death of someone we love. Sarah Harmening’s family chose to channel their pain toward a project that advances God’s Kingdom through international mission work.
Information for this post was gleaned from here:
http://www.bpnews.net/49791/teens-witness-continues-with-memorial-gift-to-imb
— Donna McKinney wrote this Leader Extra. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
When have you been persistent in asking for something you really wanted?
What’s something you know you should be doing but haven’t started yet?
How would you describe prayer to someone who is new to Christianity?
When have you seen the power of prayer?
1 Samuel 1:9-11
What are some reasons people might hesitate to bring their needs to the Lord?
What have you been taught about the nature and purpose of prayer?
What other responses to her predicament could Hannah have chosen?
Why is it important to take our requests to God?
1 Samuel 1:17-18,26-28
How do our prayers reflect the way we view God and interact wth Him?
How should we respond when God acts on our behalf?
What gives us assurance that God will hear and answer our prayers?
1 Samuel 2:1-3
What’s the difference between thanking God for what He’s done and thanking God for who He is? Why are both important?
For Hannah, prayer was essential. Do you tend to view prayer as a need, a blessing, or a chore? Explain.
What deep desire do you need to turn into earnest prayer and leave before God?
Member Extra
Share the following with your group members as either a devotional before the group study or as a follow-up devotional:
3 Things You Know For Sure Are Happening When You Pray
Video
Here’s a brief five-minute teaching video about this session: Second Nature, Session 6.
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