Hannah and Samuel. (1 Samuel 1:9-27) SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Story Bible. SUPPLIES: Baby name book or Internet resource

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1 CREATIVE DRAMA LEADER GUIDE Hannah and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-27) Age-Level Overview Age-Level Overview Open the Bible Activate Faith Lower Elementary WORKSHOP FOCUS: God knows your name. WHO S CALLING ME?: Kids learn a refrain and act out the story God Calls Samuel. SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Story Bibles SUPPLIES: Baby name book or Internet resource SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Story Bible SUPPLIES: Oversized T-shirts (earth tones), beard, rugs or mats, blankets, baskets, candles, paper, scissors, yarn, tape, poster board, markers, bedsheet Upper Elementary WORKSHOP FOCUS: God has something to say to me. UP AT NIGHT: Kids use balloons to act out the story God of calling Samuel. SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Bibles, Spark Bible Stickers SUPPLIES: None SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Bibles SUPPLIES: Helium-filled balloons (optional), tissue paper, crepe paper streamers, yarn, permanent markers, scissors, tape, fabric scraps, mural paper, classroom table, Up at Night Skit Script (page 103) All Kids WORKSHOP FOCUS: God knows and cares about how I feel. HANNAH PRAYS THE MUSICAL: Kids sing and dance as a way to tell Hannah s story. SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Story Bibles, Spark Bibles, Spark Bible Stickers SUPPLIES: None SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Story Bibles, Spark Bibles SUPPLIES: Bible-time costumes, wigs, beards, costume jewelry, fabric pieces, scarves, baby dolls, poster board, markers, Hannah Prays The Musical Skit Script (pages ) Visit for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that will prepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will also find a downloadable Family Page for this rotation s story filled with ideas for families to use to explore this story and live out their faith at home. Hannah and Samuel 89

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3 CREATIVE DRAMA LEADER GUIDE Hannah and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-27) Lower Elementary Workshop Focus: God knows your name. Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the story together. Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that for some kids it may be the first time they are visiting your workshop! If kids have heard the story several times during previous weeks, read it again! Kids learn through repetition, and every workshop will explore the Bible story in a slightly different way. Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompany kids each week. Be sure to visit to download the Family Page for this story. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up. Open the Bible (10 minutes) Hannah and Samuel Storytelling Learn the meaning of your name. Bookmark names of kids in the group. Welcome to Creative Drama! My name is [Name]. My name means [meaning]. Who would like to share what your name means? Allow kids to share. Read the meanings of kids names. No matter what your name is, God knows it! God knows your name. God knows a name in today s story. There are three people in our story today. Let s hear what their names mean. Eli mean ascension, Hannah means favor, and Samuel means God has heard. Hand a Spark Story Bible out to each of the kids. Help kids find God Calls Samuel on pages Encourage kids to follow along as you read. This is a story about something that happens during the night. Help me tell this story. Clap your hands every time I read God, Eli, or Samuel. Help kids practice clapping their hands once for each syllable in the name as follows. God (Clap once.) Eli (Clap twice.) Samuel (Clap three times.) Spark Resources Spark Story Bibles Supplies Baby name book or Internet resource CREATIVE DRAMA Hannah and Samuel 91

4 Read the story out loud. Let s review. Point to the picture on page 123. What was the name of the boy in the story? (Samuel) What kept waking Samuel up during the night? (someone calling his name) Who was calling Samuel? (God) What would you do if God called your name during the night? Allow kids to respond. God knew everything about Samuel, even Samuel s name. Just like God knew Samuel, God knows you, too! God knows your name. Let s learn a refrain and act out the story of Samuel! Activate Faith (25 minutes) Who s Calling Me? Set Up: 1. Hang a bedsheet as a backdrop to designate a stage area. 2. Write the following refrain on the poster board. Samuel, Samuel! Who s calling me? Samuel, Samuel! Who could it be? 3. Set the props near the stage area. 4. Place the costumes and craft supplies in an area where kids can use them. Activity Instructions Before the skit: 1. Invite kids to play the parts of Samuel and Eli. If there are several kids who wish to play these parts, divide the skit into two parts and switch actors for the second half. a. Look through the costume and craft supplies to make a costume for your character. Remember, you will be in your nightclothes during the skit. b. Watch how the stage is set up. Decide where and when you will move during the skit. Spark Resources Spark Story Bible Supplies Oversized T-shirts (earth tones) Beard Rugs or mats Blankets Baskets Candles Paper Scissors Yarn Tape Poster board Markers Bedsheet 2. Invite some kids to play the parts of Samuel s Pillow, Eli s Pillow, Samuel s Dog, Eli s Cat, and the Door between Samuel and Eli s rooms. a. What will the Pillows and the Door wear? Where are you on stage? Do you move? Do you make any sounds? b. Use the supplies to make costumes for the Dog and Cat. Where will you be during the skit? What will you do? 92 Workshop Leader Guides

5 3. Ask volunteers to set the stage for the skit. a. Where will Samuel sleep? Where will Eli sleep? How are their rooms different? b. Where will the Door between the rooms be? c. Are there special places for the Cat and Dog to sleep? 4. Have one person be in charge of the poster board with the refrain written on it. a. When I point to you during the story, hold the board high so everyone can read the refrain. b. Use the supplies to make a border around the poster if you wish. 5. Teach all of the kids the refrain. When this board is held up during the skit, we ll all say the refrain together. 6. Have a leader act as the narrator. Perform the skit: 1. Have the actors take their places on stage. Ask the narrator to stand to one side of the stage and the poster holder to stand where kids can see him or her. Have all other kids sit in the audience. This is a story that takes place during the night. Let s watch and listen quietly so we don t wake anyone up! 2. Direct the narrator to read God Calls Samuel from pages of the Spark Story Bible. Have the narrator pause after the following phrases, then you point to the poster holder, and allow kids to read the refrain. a. As Samuel slept in the temple he heard a voice call out. b. A little while later the voice called again... c. When this happened a third time... d. When the voice called again... Following the skit: Gather the kids to debrief the activity. What was your favorite part of the skit? Allow kids to respond. Why did Samuel keep getting out of bed? (He heard his name being called.) Why did God call Samuel? (God had many things to say to Samuel.) What do you think God may have said to Samuel? Allow kids to respond. God knew Samuel long before Samuel was even born. God also knew Samuel s name. God knew you before you were born, too. God knows what you like and don t like, where you live, even if you have a pet! God knows you, and like God knew Samuel s name, God knows your name. CREATIVE DRAMA Hannah and Samuel 93

6 Send (5 minutes) Wrap Up Remind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven t already received it, and come together for Wrap Up. Thanks for coming to Creative Drama! What was the name of the boy in our story? (Samuel) Samuel heard his name during the night. Eli told Samuel it was God. God had things to say to Samuel. Like Samuel, God knows your name. What do you think God has planned for you in your life? Allow kids to respond. Spark Resources Family Page Supplies None Prayer Time Have the kids stand in a circle. During the prayer I ll pause, we ll go around the circle, and you say your name out loud. Dear God, Thank you for knowing Samuel s name. Thank you for knowing my name, too! Pause. Help me to know the wonderful plans you have for my life! Amen. 94 Workshop Leader Guides

7 CREATIVE DRAMA LEADER GUIDE Hannah and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-27) Upper Elementary Workshop Focus: God has something to say to me. Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the story together. Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that for some kids it may be the first time they are visiting your workshop! If kids have heard the story several times during previous weeks, read it again! Kids learn through repetition, and every workshop will explore the Bible story in a slightly different way. Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompany kids each week. Be sure to visit to download the Family Page for this story. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up. Open the Bible (10 minutes) Hannah and Samuel Storytelling Welcome to Creative Drama! What are some different ways you talk with your friends? Allow kids to respond to this and the following questions. When you talk with your friends, does only one person do all of the talking? Why is it important to listen to your friends, too? It s the same with God. Let s read a story about listening. Have kids find 1 Samuel 3:1 20 on pages of their Spark Story Bibles. Follow along as I read this passage. Invite kids to call, Samuel, Samuel and to respond, Here I am in verses four, six, eight, and ten. Spark Resources Spark Bibles Spark Bible Stickers Supplies Pencils CREATIVE DRAMA Let s review. Why did Samuel go to Eli during the night? (He thought Eli was calling him.) Who was really calling Samuel? (God) Direct kids to read 1 Samuel 3:7 10 on page 299 of their Spark Bibles. Encourage kids to mark the passage with a Makes Me Wonder, Makes Me Want To or I Don t Get It Spark Bible Sticker, using a pencil to mark their response in the margin. What did Eli tell Samuel to say when God called? (Speak, for your servant is listening.) What would you have thought if you were Samuel? Allow kids to respond. Oftentimes we talk to God, but like Samuel, we need to remember to listen for God to speak to us. God has something to say to each of us. Let s practice talking and listening as we tell this story with balloon puppets. Hannah and Samuel 95

8 Activate Faith (25 minutes) Up at Night Set Up: Inflate the balloons as close to class time as possible. Place the classroom table on its side for a puppet stage, covering the front with mural paper. Hang mural paper on a nearby wall behind the stage as a backdrop. Place the balloons and supplies where kids can access them. Make a copy of the skit script for everyone. Activity Instructions Before the puppet show: 1. Divide the kids into three groups. Have each group decorate one of the balloons to represent Samuel, Eli, and God. (Optional: have each kid decorate his or her own balloon as one of the three characters.) a. Use the supplies to turn your balloon into a puppet representing your character. b. You may tape things to the string (for clothes or body parts), as well as draw on or tape things to the balloon itself. Be sure not to add too much weight or the balloon will not stay up. c. Think of your character. How will we know who your puppet represents? Spark Resources Spark Bibles Supplies Helium-filled balloons, 3 Additional balloons, 1 per kid (optional) Tissue paper Crepe paper streamers Yarn Permanent markers Scissors Tape Fabric scraps Mural paper Classroom table Up at Night Skit Script (page 103), 1 per kid 2. Invite some of the kids to create scenery and the backdrop for the show. a. You may create on the backdrop as well as the front of the stage. b. Think of the story. When does it take place? Where are the characters? What do they sleep on? What else is in their rooms? 3. Choose three kids to act as puppeteers. Give kids a skit script. a. Read through the script. Where are you? Where do you move? When do you move? How do you move? b. Practice handling and moving your balloon from behind the stage. 4. Invite two groups of kids to read the script out loud during the show. Kids may be part of the audience, as well. a. Give kids copies of the script. b. Have a Shepherd or another leader help the groups practice reading in unison. Perform the puppet show: Have the puppeteers take their places behind the stage. Direct the readers and the rest of the kids to sit in the audience. Samuel was only 12 years old when God had something important to say to him. Let s watch and listen to Samuel s story. 96 Workshop Leader Guides

9 Following the puppet show: Gather the kids to debrief the activity. What was the most challenging thing about putting on this show? Allow kids to respond. What did Samuel say when he heard God call his name? (Speak, for your servant is listening.) What did God do? (spoke to Samuel) Invite kids to read 2 Samuel 3:19 20 on pages in their Spark Bibles. How long did God continue to speak to Samuel? (his whole life) Do you think Samuel s life was always easy because God talked to him? Allow kids to respond. Listening to God doesn t mean there will never be problems in life, but it does mean God can and will help us through them. God has something to say to all of us. Send (5 minutes) Wrap Up Remind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven t already received it, and come together for Wrap Up. Thanks for coming to Creative Drama! Today we put on a puppet show. Who did Samuel hear calling him in the night? (God) Eli told Samuel to listen to God. God talked to Samuel his whole life. Like God did with Samuel, God has something to say to all of us. What are some things God might have to say to you? Allow kids to respond. Spark Resources Family Page Supplies None Prayer Time It s hard to hear God when we are doing all of the talking! During our closing prayer, we ll take time to listen to what God has to say to us. Let s pray. Dear God, I know you have something to say to me, just like you did with Samuel. Help me understand what you want me to hear now. Pause. Thank you for your words! Amen. CREATIVE DRAMA Hannah and Samuel 97

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11 CREATIVE DRAMA LEADER GUIDE Hannah and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:9-27) All Kids Workshop Focus: God knows and cares about how I feel. Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the story together. Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that for some kids it may be the first time they are visiting your workshop! If kids have heard the story several times during previous weeks, read it again! Kids learn through repetition, and every workshop will explore the Bible story in a slightly different way. Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompany kids each week. Be sure to visit to download the Family Page for this story. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up. Open the Bible (10 minutes) Hannah and Samuel Storytelling Welcome to Creative Drama! How are you feeling today? Allow kids to respond to this and the following questions. Is anyone excited? Sleepy? Even if you didn t say how you are feeling out loud, God knows. God cares! There are strong feelings in today s story. Hand a Spark Story Bible out to each of the younger kid. Help kids find Hannah Prays for a Child on pages Have the older kids find 1 Samuel 1:9 27 on pages in their Spark Bibles. Encourage kids to follow along as you read. This story is about Hannah and Eli. We ll act it out. Invite kids to choose which character to act out. Read the story. Spark Resources Spark Story Bibles Spark Bibles Spark Bible Stickers Supplies Pencils CREATIVE DRAMA Let s talk about the story. Why was Hannah so sad? (She wanted a baby.) What did Hannah do while she was sad? (prayed to God) Direct older kids to read 1 Samuel 1:16 18 on page 296. Encourage kids to mark the passage with a Spark Bible Sticker of their choice, using a pencil to write their response in the margin. How did Hannah feel after praying? (no longer sad, peaceful) How did Hannah feel when Samuel was born? (very happy) What do you think Eli was feeling during Hannah and Samuel 99

12 the story? Allow kids to respond. God knew and cared how Hannah and Eli were feeling, just like God knows and cares about our feelings. God knows and cares about how we feel. Let s tell Hannah s story using music! Activate Faith (25 minutes) Hannah Prays The Musical Set Up: Designate an open area of the room as the stage. Provide additional open areas where kids can practice dancing. Place the costume pieces in an area where kids can choose among them. Write the lyrics of each song on a separate sheet of poster board. Make a few copies of the skit script. Activity Instructions Before the skit: 1. Describe the skit to the kids. a. Stories that are told using music and dancing are called musicals. We re going to tell the story we just read about Hannah, as a musical. b. The words of the songs in this musical are new, but the tunes are ones you already know. Each of the songs may be sung in a group. c. You will have the opportunity to make up your own dances to the songs. 2. Invite volunteers to be singers and dancers in the musical. Each song may be sung by a different group, an individual, or all of the kids together, depending on the size and interest level of the group. a. Give each kid a script. Have kids note which songs they will be participating in. You will have a chance to practice your songs as a group. b. Choose a costume to wear. What will help you express yourself during your song(s)? You may decide to wear things similar to those of other members of your group. Will you change your costume for different songs? Remember to wear something you can move in. Spark Resources Spark Story Bibles Spark Bibles Supplies Bible-time costumes Wigs Beards Costume jewelry Fabric pieces Scarves Baby dolls Poster board Markers Hannah Prays The Musical Skit Script (pages ), 1 per kid 3. Ask one or more kids to be in charge of holding the song posters. a. Give kids copies of the script. Note when your song will be performed. Where should you stand so the singers can see the board? b. You can use markers to create a border around your poster if you wish. c. Hold the poster while the singers and dancers practice. 100 Workshop Leader Guides

13 4. Invite a Shepherd or fluent reader to act as the narrator. a. Give the narrator a script. b. You will be in charge of cueing each group when it s time for them to perform their song. 5. Have kids practice their songs and decide on choreography. a. Where should everyone stand when you sing? What simple actions can you do that show what is happening or how someone feels during the song? b. Have a Shepherd or older kid help guide each group. Perform the skit: 1. Have the narrator stand to one side of the open stage area. 2. Invite the first group and poster holder to stand at the other side of the open area, ready to take their places at their cue. 3. Direct all other kids to sit in the audience. 4. Have a Shepherd help get each upcoming group ready at the side of the stage prior to their song if possible. Every year, Hannah and her husband Elkanah went to the temple to worship the Lord. This is the story of what happened one year! Cue the narrator to begin. Following the skit: Gather the kids to debrief the activity. What things are different when you tell a story through music? Allow kids to respond to this and the following questions. Direct older kids to read 1 Samuel 1:10 on page 296 of their Spark Bibles. Point to the picture on page 119 of the Spark Story Bible. How sad was Hannah? (really) Have you ever felt that sad? Did God care how sad Hannah was? (yes) What did God do? (gave Hannah a son) Does God care when you feel really sad? (yes) What does God do for you? Just like Hannah, God knows and cares about how I feel. Send (5 minutes) CREATIVE DRAMA Wrap Up Remind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven t already received it, and come together for Wrap Up. Thanks for coming to Creative Drama! Hannah was very sad. God blessed her with a baby. Who was that baby? (Samuel) How did Hannah feel after Samuel was born? (happy) Just like Hannah, God knows and cares about our feelings. How does God show care for your feelings? Allow kids to respond. Spark Resources Family Page Supplies None Hannah and Samuel 101

14 Prayer Time Invite kids to stand. Copy my words and actions as we pray. Dear God, Sometimes I feel very happy. (Jump and clap.) Sometimes I feel very sad. (Pout and rub eyes.) Sometimes I feel very angry. (Grit teeth and shake fists.) And sometimes I m just bored. (Yawn.) But all of the times you know and care about me. (Hug self.) Thank you, God. (Put hands in air.) Amen. 102 Workshop Leader Guides

15 Up at Night Skit Script Group 1: Samuel was a boy of 12 when Eli was getting old. Samuel took care of Eli and did what he was told. Group 2: Eli was lying in his room waiting for the lamp to dim. Samuel was lying in the temple of the Lord when he heard someone calling him. Group 1: Samuel, Samuel Group 2: Here I am! Group 1: Samuel ran to Eli. He thought Eli was calling him. But Eli said, I did not call. Now, go lay down again. Group 2: Samuel went back to sleep in the temple, but then, suddenly heard someone call his name again! Group 1: Samuel, Samuel Group 2: Here I am! Group 1: Samuel ran to Eli. He thought Eli called again. But Eli said, I did not call, please go back to bed! Group 2: Samuel trudged back to the temple and crawled inside his bed. He tried to sleep, but leapt to his feet when he heard his name again! Group 1: Samuel, Samuel Group 2: Here I am! Group 1: Samuel went to Eli and Eli understood. The voice who has been calling you belongs to our great Lord! Now, go back to bed. No more visiting! When God calls, say, Speak, for your servant is listening. Group 2: Samuel went back to his bed and tried to go to sleep. He laid there listening, very still, and did not make a peep! Suddenly, he heard his name; he knew it was the Lord. So Samuel stayed in his bed and answered with Eli s words. Group 1: Samuel, Samuel Group 2: Speak, for your servant is listening. Group 1: God did speak in an amazing way that Samuel was able to hear. God talked to Samuel, not just once, but for many, many years! Group 2: Samuel learned to listen to God. People knew him to be trustworthy. Like Samuel, I can learn to listen to God. God has something to say to me! Hannah and Samuel 103

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17 Hannah Prays The Musical Skit Script Narrator: There once was a man who had two wives. One wife had many, many children, and the other had none. Hannah was the wife with no children, and this made her very sad. Hannah s Sad Song (Sing to the tune of Muffin Man. ) Do you know how sad I am? Really sad, very sad! Do you know how sad I am? I do not have a child! Narrator: To make things even worse, many people who knew Hannah made fun of her and teased her because she had no children. No Kids for Hannah (Sing to the tune of London Bridges. ) Hannah doesn t have a child, Have a child, have a child! Hannah doesn t have a child. There are no kids for Hannah! Narrator: Even though Hannah had no children, she continued to pray to God. Year after year, Hannah prayed for God to send her a baby. Hannah s Prayer (Sing to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. ) Oh dear God, it is me, Praying quietly on my knees. Send me a baby, and if you do, I ll be sure he serves only you! Oh dear God, it is me, Praying quietly on my knees. Narrator: Once when Hannah was praying, Eli, the temple priest, saw her. This is the conversation they had. Eli and Hannah (Sing to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat. ) (Eli) Hannah, look at you! You are acting strange. Go home to make the rhythm work and go to bed. Don t behave this way! (Hannah) Oh, sir, you don t know, Exactly what you see. I m praying, praying, praying, praying, For a dear baby. Hannah and Samuel 105

18 (Eli) Hannah, Hannah go in peace. Don t cry any more. God will give you what you want, And what you re praying for! Narrator: Hannah trusted God, and God gave Hannah a baby boy. Hannah named the boy Samuel and was very happy taking care of him. Hannah s Happy Song (Sing to the tune of B-I-N-G-O. ) I once was sad, but now I m glad. God gave me a baby! H-A-P-P-Y, H-A-P-P-Y, H-A-P-P-Y, God gave me a baby! Narrator: Samuel grew and grew. Soon it was time for Hannah to keep her promise and take Samuel to serve at the temple with Eli. Samuel Serves (Sing to the tune of Skip to My Lou. ) Hannah prayed and promised God, Hannah prayed and promised God, Hannah prayed and promised God, Samuel would always serve him. Samuel grew and now it s time, Samuel grew and now it s time, Samuel grew and now it s time, For Samuel to serve with Eli. Narrator: God knew how sad Hannah was, so God gave Hannah a baby. God knew how happy Samuel would make Hannah. Hannah thanked God for Samuel by sending him to the temple with Eli. Samuel grew and grew and served God the rest of his life! 106 Workshop Leader Guides