Bethany Lutheran Church

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HEROES
November: Hannah

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Heroes...Searching the Scriptures of our Parish Theme

Last year’s hot TV hit was entitled,Heroes. The basic premise of the series is that living in our midst are individuals endowed with special gifts that have the power to change things. “Save the cheerleader, save the world” became the mantra of the first few episodes. Scripture declares that we live in the company of individuals endowed with special gifts as well, and the one gift that unites them is that of faith. These individuals are Heroes and their mantra is “Cheer the Leader who saves the world.” This month’s hero is Hannah and her special gift of offering. Read 1 Samuel 1:21-28. (You might consider reading it aloud. It’s amazing what we skip when we read things silently!) Consider the following:
  • Hannah was desperate, not just for a child, but for a son. Why?
  • Hannah’s rival kept needling and teasing her about her childlessness. Have you ever been needled and teased about something you can’t control? How did you feel?
  • In desperation, Hannah pours out her heart to the Lord in a silent prayer. Have you ever reached the point of desperation, when you did not know what words to pray? Read Romans 8:26-27. What is God’s promise to us when we reach such a point?
  • The Lord answers Hannah’s prayer and gives her a son. What is Hannah’s response and what is her reason for doing it? Can you think of other Bible heroes who have offered their children to God because they had a special role to play in His plan?
  • Here at Bethany we often say the phrase, “My stuff is not my stuff and my stuff is not me”. How does this apply to our children and grandchildren?
  • Read 1 Samuel 2:21. Not only does God answer Hannah’s prayer, He goes even further! What do you notice?
  • Read 1 Samuel 2:1-11, then Luke 1:46-55. Do you notice any similarities between the songs of these faithful women?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

We thank you for faithful Hannah, who placed her trust in You and returned to You a portion of what You first gave her. We pray you would give us such thankful hearts that we also return to You a portion of what you’ve first given us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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