Hannah and Samuel - Gflutheran.org

CREATIVE DRAMALEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)Age-LevelOverviewAge-Level OverviewOpen the BibleActivate FaithLower ElementaryWORKSHOP FOCUS: God knows yourname.WHO’S CALLING ME?: Kids learn a refrainand act out the story God CallsSamuel.SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Story BiblesSUPPLIES: Baby name book or InternetresourceSPARK RESOURCES: Spark Story BibleSUPPLIES: Oversized T-shirts (earthtones), beard, rugs or mats, blankets,baskets, candles, paper, scissors, yarn,tape, poster board, markers, bedsheetUpper ElementaryWORKSHOP FOCUS: God has somethingto say to me.UP AT NIGHT: Kids use balloons to actout the story God of calling Samuel.SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Bibles, SparkBible StickersSUPPLIES: NoneSPARK RESOURCES: Spark BiblesSUPPLIES: Helium-filled balloons(optional), tissue paper, crepe paperstreamers, yarn, permanent markers,scissors, tape, fabric scraps, muralpaper, classroom table, Up at NightSkit Script (page 103)All KidsWORKSHOP FOCUS: God knows andcares about how I feel.HANNAH PRAYS—THE MUSICAL: Kids singand dance as a way to tell Hannah’sstory.SPARK RESOURCES: Spark Story Bibles,Spark Bibles, Spark Bible StickersSUPPLIES: NoneSPARK RESOURCES: Spark Story Bibles,Spark BiblesSUPPLIES: Bible-time costumes, wigs,beards, costume jewelry, fabric pieces,scarves, baby dolls, poster board,markers, Hannah Prays—The MusicalSkit Script (pages 105-106)Visit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that willprepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will alsofind a downloadable Family Page for this rotation’s story filled with ideas for families to use to explore this storyand live out their faith at home.Creative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 89

CREATIVE DRAMALEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)LowerElementaryWorkshop Focus: God knows your name.Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the storytogether.• Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that forsome 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 storyin a slightly different way.• Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompanykids each week.• Be sure to visit www.sparksundayschool.org to download the Family Page for thisstory. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up.Open the Bible (10 minutes)Hannah and Samuel StorytellingLearn 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 themeanings of kids’ names. No matter what your name is, God knows it! God knowsyour name. God knows a name in today’s story. There are three people in ourstory today. Let’s hear what their names mean. Eli mean “ascension,” Hannahmeans “favor,” and Samuel means “God has heard.”Hand a Spark Story Bible out to each of the kids. Help kids find God Calls Samuelon pages 122–125. Encourage kids to follow along as you read. This is a story aboutsomething that happens during the night. Help me tell this story. Clap yourhands every time I read “God,” “Eli,” or “Samuel.” Help kids practice clappingtheir hands once for each syllable in the name as follows.• God (Clap once.)• Eli (Clap twice.)• Samuel (Clap three times.)Spark ResourcesSpark Story BiblesSuppliesBaby name book or InternetresourceCREATIVE DRAMACreative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 91

Read the story out loud.Let’s review. Point to the picture on page 123. What was the name of the boy inthe story? (Samuel) What kept waking Samuel up during the night? (someonecalling his name) Who was calling Samuel? (God) What would you do if God calledyour name during the night? Allow kids to respond. God knew everything aboutSamuel, 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 InstructionsBefore the skit:1. Invite kids to play the parts of Samuel and Eli. If there are several kids whowish to play these parts, divide the skit into two parts and switch actors for thesecond half.a. Look through the costume and craft supplies to make a costume foryour character. Remember, you will be in your nightclothes during theskit.b. Watch how the stage is set up. Decide where and when you will moveduring the skit.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BibleSuppliesOversized T-shirts (earthtones)BeardRugs or matsBlanketsBasketsCandlesPaperScissorsYarnTapePoster boardMarkersBedsheet2. 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 youmove? Do you make any sounds?b. Use the supplies to make costumes for the Dog and Cat. Where will yoube during the skit? What will you do?92 — Workshop Leader Guides Creative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Send (5 minutes)Wrap UpRemind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven’talready received it, and come together for Wrap Up.Thanks for coming to Creative Drama! What was the name of the boy in ourstory? (Samuel) Samuel heard his name during the night. Eli told Samuel it wasGod. God had things to say to Samuel. Like Samuel, God knows your name. Whatdo you think God has planned for you in your life? Allow kids to respond.Spark ResourcesFamily PageSuppliesNonePrayer TimeHave the kids stand in a circle. During the prayer I’ll pause, we’ll go around thecircle, and you say your name out loud.Dear God, Thank you for knowing Samuel’s name. Thank you for knowing myname, too! Pause. Help me to know the wonderful plans you have for my life!Amen.94 — Workshop Leader Guides Creative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

CREATIVE DRAMALEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)UpperElementaryWorkshop Focus: God has something to say to me.Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the storytogether.• Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that forsome 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 storyin a slightly different way.• Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompanykids each week.• Be sure to visit www.sparksundayschool.org to download the Family Page for thisstory. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up.Open the Bible (10 minutes)Hannah and Samuel StorytellingWelcome to Creative Drama! What are some different ways you talk with yourfriends? Allow kids to respond to this and the following questions. When you talkwith your friends, does only one person do all of the talking? Why is it importantto listen to your friends, too? It’s the same with God. Let’s read a story aboutlistening.Have kids find 1 Samuel 3:1–20 on pages 299–300 of their Spark Story Bibles.Follow along as I read this passage. Invite kids to call, “Samuel, Samuel” and torespond, “Here I am” in verses four, six, eight, and ten.Spark ResourcesSpark BiblesSpark Bible StickersSuppliesPencilsCREATIVE DRAMALet’s review. Why did Samuel go to Eli during the night? (He thought Eli was callinghim.) Who was really calling Samuel? (God) Direct kids to read 1 Samuel 3:7–10 onpage 299 of their Spark Bibles. Encourage kids to mark the passage with a Makes MeWonder, Makes Me Want To or I Don’t Get It Spark Bible Sticker, using a pencil to marktheir 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? Allowkids to respond. Oftentimes we talk to God, but like Samuel, we need to remember tolisten 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.Creative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 95

Activate Faith (25 minutes)Up at NightSet Up: Inflate the balloons as close to class time as possible. Place the classroomtable on its side for a puppet stage, covering the front with mural paper. Hangmural paper on a nearby wall behind the stage as a backdrop. Place the balloonsand supplies where kids can access them. Make a copy of the skit script foreveryone.Activity InstructionsBefore the puppet show:1. Divide the kids into three groups. Have each group decorate one of theballoons to represent Samuel, Eli, and God. (Optional: have each kid decoratehis or her own balloon as one of the three characters.)a. Use the supplies to turn your balloon into a puppet representing yourcharacter.b. You may tape things to the string (for clothes or body parts), as wellas draw on or tape things to the balloon itself. Be sure not to add toomuch weight or the balloon will not stay up.c. Think of your character. How will we know who your puppetrepresents?Spark ResourcesSpark BiblesSuppliesHelium-filled balloons, 3Additional balloons, 1 per kid(optional)Tissue paperCrepe paper streamersYarnPermanent markersScissorsTapeFabric scrapsMural paperClassroom tableUp at Night Skit Script (page103), 1 per kid2. 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 thecharacters? 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? Whendo 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 maybe 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 inunison.Perform the puppet show:Have the puppeteers take their places behind the stage. Direct the readers and therest of the kids to sit in the audience. Samuel was only 12 years old when God hadsomething important to say to him. Let’s watch and listen to Samuel’s story.96 — Workshop Leader Guides Creative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Following the puppet show:Gather the kids to debrief the activity. What was the most challenging thingabout putting on this show? Allow kids to respond. What did Samuel say whenhe 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 299–300 in theirSpark Bibles. How long did God continue to speak to Samuel? (his whole life) Doyou think Samuel’s life was always easy because God talked to him? Allow kidsto 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 tosay to all of us.Send (5 minutes)Wrap UpRemind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven’talready received it, and come together for Wrap Up.Thanks for coming to Creative Drama! Today we put on a puppet show. Who didSamuel hear calling him in the night? (God) Eli told Samuel to listen to God. Godtalked to Samuel his whole life. Like God did with Samuel, God has something tosay to all of us. What are some things God might have to say to you? Allow kidsto respond.Spark ResourcesFamily PageSuppliesNonePrayer TimeIt’s hard to hear God when we are doing all of the talking! During our closingprayer, 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 withSamuel. Help me understand what you want me to hear now. Pause. Thank youfor your words! Amen.CREATIVE DRAMACreative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 97

CREATIVE DRAMALEADER GUIDEHannah and Samuel(1 Samuel 1:9-27)All KidsWorkshop Focus: God knows and cares about how I feel.Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the storytogether.• Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that forsome 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 storyin a slightly different way.• Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompanykids each week.• Be sure to visit www.sparksundayschool.org to download the Family Page for thisstory. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up.Open the Bible (10 minutes)Hannah and Samuel StorytellingWelcome to Creative Drama! How are you feeling today? Allow kids to respond tothis and the following questions. Is anyone excited? Sleepy? Even if you didn’t sayhow you are feeling out loud, God knows. God cares! There are strong feelings intoday’s story.Hand a Spark Story Bible out to each of the younger kid. Help kids find HannahPrays for a Child on pages 118–121. Have the older kids find 1 Samuel 1:9–27 onpages 296–297 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 whichcharacter to act out. Read the story.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BiblesSpark BiblesSpark Bible StickersSuppliesPencilsCREATIVE DRAMALet’s talk about the story. Why was Hannah so sad? (She wanted a baby.) Whatdid Hannah do while she was sad? (prayed to God) Direct older kids to read1 Samuel 1:16–18 on page 296. Encourage kids to mark the passage with a SparkBible 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 feelwhen Samuel was born? (very happy) What do you think Eli was feeling duringCreative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 99

the story? Allow kids to respond. God knew and cared how Hannah and Eli werefeeling, just like God knows and cares about our feelings. God knows and caresabout how we feel.Let’s tell Hannah’s story using music!Activate Faith (25 minutes)Hannah Prays—The MusicalSet Up: Designate an open area of the room as the stage. Provide additional openareas where kids can practice dancing. Place the costume pieces in an area wherekids can choose among them. Write the lyrics of each song on a separate sheet ofposter board. Make a few copies of the skit script.Activity InstructionsBefore 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 onesyou 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 thesongs.2. Invite volunteers to be singers and dancers in the musical. Each song may besung by a different group, an individual, or all of the kids together, dependingon the size and interest level of the group.a. Give each kid a script. Have kids note which songs they will beparticipating in. You will have a chance to practice your songs as agroup.b. Choose a costume to wear. What will help you express yourself duringyour song(s)? You may decide to wear things similar to those of othermembers of your group. Will you change your costume for differentsongs? Remember to wear something you can move in.Spark ResourcesSpark Story BiblesSpark BiblesSuppliesBible-time costumesWigsBeardsCostume jewelryFabric piecesScarvesBaby dollsPoster boardMarkersHannah Prays—The MusicalSkit Script (pages 105-106),1 per kid3. 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 Creative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

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 toperform their song.5. Have kids practice their songs and decide on choreography.a. Where should everyone stand when you sing? What simple actionscan you do that show what is happening or how someone feels duringthe 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 openarea, 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 stageprior to their song if possible.Every year, Hannah and her husband Elkanah went to the temple to worship theLord. 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 astory 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 tothe 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 didGod do? (gave Hannah a son) Does God care when you feel really sad? (yes) Whatdoes God do for you? Just like Hannah, God knows and cares about how I feel.Send (5 minutes)CREATIVE DRAMAWrap UpRemind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven’talready received it, and come together for Wrap Up.Thanks for coming to Creative Drama! Hannah was very sad. God blessed herwith a baby. Who was that baby? (Samuel) How did Hannah feel after Samuelwas 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 ResourcesFamily PageSuppliesNoneCreative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 101

Prayer TimeInvite 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 Creative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

Up at Night Skit ScriptGroup 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 heheard 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 feetwhen 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 makea peep! Suddenly, he heard his name; he knew it was the Lord. So Samuel stayed in his bed and answered with Eli’swords.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, butfor many, many years!Group 2: Samuel learned to listen to God. People knew him to be trustworthy. Like Samuel, I can learn to listen toGod. God has something to say to me!Creative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 103

Hannah Prays—The MusicalSkit ScriptNarrator: 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 becauseshe 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 forGod 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.Creative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.Hannah and Samuel — 105

(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 veryhappy 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 atthe 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 wouldmake Hannah. Hannah thanked God for Samuel by sending him to the temple with Eli. Samuel grew and grew andserved God the rest of his life!106 — Workshop Leader GuidesCreative Drama Workshop, Hannah and Samuel Rotation Leader Guide. Spark Sunday School © 2011Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.