PARENTS WHO LEAD BY EXAMPLE
I Samuel 1:9-28
(Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday, October 5th, 2025)
One day, people started to bring their children to Jesus so that he could bless them. The disciples didn't like these children interrupting Jesus so they told the people to get the children away. Jesus rebuked His Disciples and said, "Let the children come to me, and do not stop them". Then Jesus took the children in His arms and blessed them.
Jesus desires for all parents to bring their children to Him. It is a great thing when a child's parents seek to dedicate him or her to the Lord. But this is to be more than a ceremony or observance. If you truly want to dedicate your child to the Lord, you must be fully surrendered to Him yourself.
The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). There are many people who are asking "where is the fulfillment of this promise?" Their child is rebellious and away from the Lord. The issue is not that God didn’t hold up His end, the problem is that the parent did not hold up theirs.
Training up a child is more than sending them to church; in fact it involves more than bringing them to church. Training up a child involves the example that you set for your children. When they see the things of this world constantly taking you away from the things of God, it tells them that God is not a priority in your life.
If attending church, worshipping, and serving the Lord is not a priority for you, it will not be important for your children. On the other hand, if you will fully dedicate yourself to the Lord, they will see this, and it will be far more likely that they will follow in your example.
Our selected text shows us how we can lead by example. Elkanah and Hannah were parents who lived what they believed. They prayed for a child and when God blessed them with a son, they were great examples of faithfulness to the Lord. I would like to look at their story and preach a message entitled “Parents Who Lead By Example”
Before being blessed with a child, Hannah was faithful to the Lord. I believe that she would have continued to be faithful to Him even if she had never conceived a child.
There are people in this building who have begged God for years to bless them with children. For whatever reason He has not (and may never) grant that request. Though it may be difficult, it is important for you to accept God's will and remain faithful to Him.
Hannah was a woman who worshipped the Lord; her husband Elkanah worshipped him as well. We must do the same if we want to be a godly example for our children. This is a vital step in being a parent who leads by example. Notice that you must:
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO WORSHIP THE LORD
We must TEACH our children about God, but we must also SHOW them that He is to be worshipped daily. We will teach them this through:
PERSONAL WORSHIP
Hannah went to Shiloh and presented an offering to the Lord and then she went to the Tabernacle to pray; there she cried out to God and told Him of her desire to have a child. Later in this chapter we will see where Elkanah went to worship the Lord alone. Both of Samuel’s parents had a personal relationship with God and they worshipped Him independently. But they also show us the importance of:
MUTUAL WORSHIP
v19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD,
Both husband and wife rose up together for the purpose of worshipping the Lord. Much could be said about the benefits of a family worshipping together. We must have moments of individual worship in our lives, but we must worship together as well.
Worshipping personally will strengthen you; worshipping with your spouse will strengthen your marriage; and worshipping with your spouse and children will strengthen your family! Many children today are being robbed of the spiritual benefits of being raised in Church. Their family may spend time together but it is not in the house of God. Their lives are not focused on the things of God. Work, recreation, friends, scholastic events, hobbies, sports and other earthly interests all consume their time. The family never worships together because there is always something else going on.
As a parent when you forsake worship for the things of this world, you are telling your child that those activities are more important than the Lord. I must warn you that you will be held accountable. It is your responsibility to teach that child the importance of worshipping the Lord.
- Elkanah and Hannah also show us the importance of:
CONTINUAL WORSHIP
Notice that verse 21 says "And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow."
God put together a divine order for the home. He placed the man as the spiritual leader of the household; and it is the man whom god will hold responsible. I am thankful for women who are faithful to come to church without their spouse. I am thankful that they bring their children to church and teach them about the Lord at home. But it is not the woman’s responsibility to take the family to church, it is not her responsibility to teach them about the Lord, it is not her responsibility to lead them in worship. Ultimately it is the man’s God given responsibility to bring their family to church, it is your responsibility to teach your family in ways of the Lord, it is your responsibility to lead your family in worship. You are to be the spiritual leader of your household, so man up and do it!
Elkanah didn’t just take on that responsibility, he did it consistently. He and Hannah worshipped God on a regular basis. They did not just work God into their lives when it was convenient, worship was a priority in their life. If you want to lead your children well, if you want to lead by example, then you must worship the Lord personally, mutually and consistently.
- Hannah also shows us that it is important that you:
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO PRAY TO THE LORD
Hannah was a woman of prayer. When we examine her prayer life we find certain characteristics that should be present in our prayer lives as well. First of all she shows us that we should:
PRAY INTENTIONALLY
For Hannah, prayer was not just a formality. She purposed in heart to get alone with God. Notice verse 9, “So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.”
Hannah had a need and she knew where to go and who to seek. We all have needs, if we seek to get those needs met, we must make it a point to get alone with God. We should make it a point to spend time with god in prayer each and every day.
- Hannah also shows us that sometimes we must:
PRAY INTENSELY
v10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
"Bitterness of soul” means to be in "deep anguish". Hannah was weeping and wailing as she poured out her heart to Him. She knew that her situation could not be helped by mortal man,
There are times when we have needs that cannot be met by anyone on earth. We have problems that we cannot solve on our own. We have burdens that seem to hard to bear and God is our only answer. We must never look at God as a last resort, instead we can (and should) cry out to Him with full assurance that He will hear and answer our prayers.
- Hannah's prayer also shows us that we must:
PRAY INTIMATELY
As Eli watched Hannah pray he thought she was drunk. Her lips were moving but there was no sound coming out. Hannah wasn't there to speak with Eli, she was there to make her request known to the Lord. She desired a child but vowed that if she were to conceive she would give Him to the Lord. Hannah desperately wanted a son, but her supreme motivation was God’s glory.
In order for us to have access to the throne, we must have a relationship with God. Even sweeter is the reality that we are able to have a close, personal relationship with Him. Our children will see this closeness as we lead them by example.
- Intertwined with the importance of teaching your children to worship and pray is the reality that you must:
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO TRUST IN THE LORD
Without trust and faith your prayers would be an exercise in futility. Hebrews 11:6 says, “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Faith in God is essential for the child of God!
Hannah was a woman of great faith; even before her prayers were answered she put her trust in God. Verse 18 says that she “went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” Hannah had peace and trusted that God was in control.
You can have that same peace; you can take your burdens to the Lord and leave them with Him. I cannot promise you that your prayers will be answered the way that you want them to be answered. It may be that the things that you want the most, God will never give you. However, He will give you the grace to accept His will for your life. And He will bless you in ways that you could never expect, if you will just trust in Him.
We must teach our children to trust in the Lord We are to show them that they can put their faith, hope and trust in Him. The best way to teach them is to lead by example!
- Another thing that we see through the story of Elkanah and Hannah is that it is important to:
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO HONOR THE LORD
Our goal is not to teach our children a bunch of rules and regulations. Our focus should be to lead them into a personal relationship with God. We should show our children how important it is for us to live lives that honor Him. Our children need to know this, and they need to see it modeled in our lives.
- In order to do this, you must:
HONOR HIM WITH YOUR TIME
v21 The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow.
Again, God is to be our number one priority. Each and every day should be a day that is lived for Him. Never allow the people, or the activities of this life to take His place. Do not allow Christ to become crowded out of your life. Turn off the T.V, put away the cell phone, get off the computer, say no to all of the senseless activities, and spend time with God each day.
- Not only should you honor God with your time, you should:
HONOR HIM WITH YOUR TALENTS
Elkanah went to the Tabernacle to worship the Lord. Verse 22-23 tell us that "Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the LORD and dwell there forever. Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the LORD establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him."
It is apparent that Hannah was a natural at nurturing and caring for her child. She certainly did her job to the best of her ability. She was not using Samuel as a convenient excuse to avoid worship; she was actually working toward a her ultimate goal which was to present Samuel to the Lord; Hannah was getting him ready for that day.
Talent is defined as "natural aptitude or skill". God has gifted each of His children with certain abilities to be used for His glory. Teach your children the importance of serving the Lord. Lead them to use their gifts and abilities for Him and lead them by example.
- Hannah and Elkanah honored the Lord with their time, and with their talents, and they also show us that it is important to:
-
HONOR HIM WITH YOUR TREASURES
Hannah continued to nurture and care for Samuel until he was weaned. When the time came they went to the Tabernacle to worship the Lord. They took a 3-year-old bull for the sacrifice, along with some flour and some wine. They sacrificed the bull to the Lord, and then Hannah approached Eli and said: “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there” (v26-28).
Hannah took the most precious thing in the world to her and offered it to the Lord. She had prayed and pleaded with God for a son. God heard and answered her request. In turn, she gave her son back to Him. What an example of faithfulness!
Sadly, most people today allow their most prized possessions to keep them away from the Lord. Nothing you have is yours, it all belongs to God. The best thing that you can do is give it back to Him and allow Him to use it for His glory.
Hannah was a great example to Samuel; she taught Him well. As a result Samuel served the Lord for the rest of his life and God used Him in a mighty way. There is no greater legacy than for your children to walk in truth and follow the Lord.
What is it that you want most for your child? Do you want them to live a long healthy life? Do you want them to have fame, fortune, and success? Do you want them to achieve all of their dreams and to attain all of their desires? None of these things will matter in eternity. Your greatest desire for your child should be for them to know God. You should want to introduce them to the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The first thing you must do is ensure that you have a relationship with Him. Have you been born again? If not, you can be saved and your sins can be forgiven. Romans 10:9 …if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. I encourage you to surrender to Jesus today.
If you have been saved: Is it your desire to see your children live lives that would bring God honor and glory? Do you want to see them be faithful to the Lord? The only way that your children are going to learn these important truths is for you to teach them. Teach them to worship the Lord, teach them to pray to the Lord, teach them to trust in the Lord, and teach them to honor the Lord. Make it your aim to be “A Parent Who Leads By Example”.
09282025
