Sermon Illustrations

Let’s see what good listeners you are. Each time I say the name "Samuel," you are to jump up and say, "Here I am!" and then lie back down again.

To begin, direct children to lie down and pretend they’re sleeping.

Samuel (pause while children jump up and down) was a young person who loved God and did what God asked. Samuel (pause) lived at the temple with Eli, the minister. One night while sleeping, Samuel (pause) heard a voice calling his name. He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am." Eli was very sleepy. He yawned and said, "I didn’t call you. Go back to sleep." Then Samuel (pause) heard a voice calling his name again. He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am." Eli was still very sleepy. He yawned and said, "I didn’t call you. Go back to sleep." For the third time, Samuel (pause) heard his name. He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am." This time Eli realized that God was trying to speak to Samuel (pause). Eli told him to say, "Speak, God, I am listening." One more time Samuel (pause) heard a voice calling his name and he said, "Speak, God, I am listening." And God told Samuel (pause) many important things. Samuel (pause) listened to the Lord that night and for the rest of his life.

(Credit to www.stillspeaking.com)