Children In The Kingdom Of God: Lessons From The Life Of Samuel

CHILDREN IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD: LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF SAMUEL

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OUTLINE

1. PRAYER

2. PROMISE

3. PROGRESS

4. PRODUCTIVITY

5. PLEASING NATURE

6. PRESENCE OF GOD

7. PROPHET

INTRODUCTION

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Children are very important in the Kingdom of God . They are the key to the future of the church and the establishment of the purposes of God in the earth. Therefore it is very important that they are carefully nurtured and nourished in the ways of God so that they gorw up to fulfill their God given destinies. There are many lessons to be learnt from the birth and childhood of the prophet Samuel which could guide us in the rearing of our children.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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MATTHEW 18:1-6

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

He called a little child and had him stand among them.

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

PROVERBS 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

JUDGES 13:8

Then Manoah prayed to the LORD : "O LORD, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."

EPHESIANS 6:1-4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—

"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

THE MESSAGE

CHILDREN IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD: LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF SAMUEL

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1. PRAYER

Samuel was born as a result of fervent prayer. Even before he was born , his life was covered by the prayers of his mother. Parents have a solemn responsibility to uphold their children in their prayers. This will go a long way to ensure a blessed future for our children and protect them from the evils of the world.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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1 SAMUEL 1: 10 , 20 , 27

In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.

So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.

2. PROMISE

Samuel fulfilled the promise made to God by his mother. His mother vowed to give her son for the service of the Lord and she was faithful to fulfill her vow. If she had refused to keep her vow to the Lord , the life of Samuel would not have been blessed. Samuel accepted the vow his mother had made to the Lord and submitted his life to the service of God. We must be careful to fulfill the vows that we have made to the Lord as It is dangerous to break the promises that we have made to the Lord.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

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1 SAMUEL 1:11, 28

And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

1 SAMUEL 2: 20,21

Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, "May the LORD give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the LORD." Then they would go home.

And the LORD was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

ECCLESIASTES 5: 4-6

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.