3 Ways Samuel’s Story Helps Us Witness to Children
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Samuel could have been seen as the lowest of the totem pole. He was given to Eli to serve in the priesthood as his mother Hannah promised. Eli was older and already had sons serving as priests, however they were very disobedient and deceptive. Samuel was just a young boy serving God. 1 Samuel 3:1 says, “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.”
This is what is always exciting about our Lord. He chooses the unexpected to speak to and to minister through. Children may seem foolish to the world. However, it is to keep people humble and remind them that God is in charge. He is the One who does miracles and works in marvelous ways that only He can.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 says, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”
What causes us to have such strong opinions about if a child can have a genuine relationship with the Lord? There is an amazing woman who was my Bible teacher at school in 2nd and 3rd grade. She was used by God to present the gospel of Jesus in many ways to our class. I believe that it was in her 2nd grade Bible class where I saw a children’s video of the crucifixion and asked Jesus to be my Savior. My life was forever changed. Some would argue that 8 years old is too young to understand, however, I had been taught a lot about God and I know that I made a personal decision. He called my name and I was His. Over the years, I understood more of what that relationship looked like and grew in maturity in the faith, but I had made a salvation decision.
What I loved about this Bible teacher was that she taught us at a high level. She washed our feet, let us put on an Easter play, went through the book What Would Jesus Do, helped us learn Scriptures, and showed videos on creationism vs evolution. She was not afraid to get us thinking and teach the Bible. She believed that the Lord would be able to work in the lives of young people. I am grateful for her obedience and faith so that the Lord could move in my own life.
Who is your “Samuel” right now? What child or children has God placed in your care and how can you share the gospel in faith and leave the results up to the Lord? May we remember Samuel as we witness to the next generation.
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