Life Group Questions

1. If you were not able to hear this week’s sermon, consider going to the church website and listening to it. What are some main ideas that you gathered from the sermon? Do you have any questions?

2. How would you describe the scene of 1 Samuel’s opening? Does this book open the way you would expect? How is suspense introduced early in the book?

3. What is the significance of Elkanah coming from the line of Levi (cf. 1 Chronicles 6:33-34)? Does this family seem like a good priestly family? Why or why not?

4. The Scripture tells us that Elkanah had two wives. Do you think the Lord approved of him having two wives? What does Scripture teach us about polygamy (cf. Genesis 1-2, Matthew 19:1-6)?

5. Describe the relationship between Hannah and Peninnah. How did Hannah respond to her rival? How does the relationship of these two women demonstrate the tension found in the narrative of 1 Samuel (e.g., Saul and David)?

6. Have you struggled with trusting the Lord in the midst of hardship? Describe ways we can encourage ourselves to remain faithful to God when things don’t seem to go our way.

7. Describe the writer’s presentation of God in this passage. Why do you think the writer identifies God as the one who hindered Hannah from having children? What does this tell us about God and His ways?

by Terry Beatty /  Lead Teacher and Ministry Vision