This week we’re studying the topic The Servant’s Heart: Lessons from Samuel’s Calling.

Today, we come to one of the most powerful moments in Samuel’s calling—a simple but profound response that captures the very heart of a true servant. After hearing God’s voice and receiving wise instruction from Eli, Samuel answers with words that still echo today: “Speak; for thy servant heareth.”

What would change in our lives if we began each day with that posture—ready not just to hear from God, but to obey?

“And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” —1 Samuel 3:10 (KJV)

This week we’re studying the topic The Servant’s Heart: Lessons from Samuel’s Calling.

Yesterday, we reflected on how God calls us personally and persistently. Today, we consider a truth often overlooked in our spiritual walk: we need others to help us recognize God’s voice. Even Samuel—chosen, called, and serving—needed guidance to understand what was happening.

Who are the mentors in our lives who help sharpen your hearing and shape your walk?

“And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.” —1 Samuel 3:8 (KJV)

This week we’re studying the topic The Servant’s Heart: Lessons from Samuel’s Calling.

As we continue following young Samuel’s journey, we see a powerful truth unfold: God’s call is not vague, nor is it random—it is personal and persistent. God doesn’t whisper once and walk away. He calls again and again until the heart is ready to respond.How do we respond when we sense the Lord reaching for our heart, even if we don’t yet understand what He’s asking?

“That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.” —1 Samuel 3:4–5 (KJV)

This week we’re studying the topic The Servant’s Heart: Lessons from Samuel’s Calling. Yesterday, we saw how God can call us even in spiritually dry times.

Today, we turn our attention to Samuel’s posture of service before he ever heard the voice of God. His humble obedience prepared the soil for divine revelation.Are we willing to serve faithfully under human leadership—even flawed leadership—while we wait to hear from God?

“And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” —1 Samuel 3:1 (KJV)

We begin this week exploring the heart of a servant through the story of young Samuel—an ordinary child called by an extraordinary God. His journey, recorded in 1 Samuel 3, invites us to examine what it means to serve with a ready heart, especially in times when God seems silent.Have you ever experienced a season when God's presence felt distant or His voice hard to discern?

“And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” —1 Samuel 3:1 (KJV)

In a world that often challenges our believing and questions the majesty of God, we may be tempted to hesitate in speaking or acting for God for fear of ridicule.  The early Church faced much of the same—opposition, intimidation, and the threat of persecution. In Acts 3, Peter and John had healed a lame man at the gate of the temple (Acts 3:1–10), which drew widespread amazement and opened the door for them to boldly proclaim the gospel of Christ. As a result, they were arrested by the religious leaders who were grieved that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead (Acts 4:1–3). Before being released they were threatened by the religious leaders and commanded not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.  

Then, upon their release, they returned to their fellow believers and reported all that had been said and done. Rather than shrinking back in fear, the entire group lifted up their voices in united prayer—not asking for safety, but for boldness to continue the mission of Christ. Their response shows us that true courage is not rooted in comfort or security, but in the unshakable conviction that God is with us and working through us.

Scripture:
"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus."
—Acts 4:29–30

In life, there are moments when we are tempted to retreat—when the weight of opposition, uncertainty, or even personal failure presses heavily on our spirit. Yet it is precisely in these moments that we are called to remember where our strength truly lies. Our resolve is not based on our ability to predict the outcome, but on the presence of the One who walks with us. When we know that God is with us, we can stand firm, even when the ground beneath us feels unsteady.

Scripture Reading:

“For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”—Isaiah 50:7 (KJV)

There are moments in life when we hesitate—when fear, doubt, or uncertainty makes us want to retreat rather than step forward. But God has called us to live out loud—to speak truth, to walk in love, and to stand boldly in our believing. This boldness doesn't come from self-confidence, but from the unshakable assurance that we are never alone. God's presence surrounds us, sustains us, and empowers us to live courageously, no matter where we are or what we face.

Scripture:

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. ”—Psalm 139:7–10 (KJV)

There are moments in life when silence feels safer than speech, and sitting still feels more secure than stepping forward. But in the walk of believing, there are also divine moments when the Lord calls us to rise, to be seen, and to bear witness to His work—regardless of who is watching or judging. In these moments, we are faced with a decision: will we blend into the background, or will we boldly stand as believers, counted among the faithful?

Scripture Reading:

And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth —Mark 3:3, KJV

This week we've studied Living Fearlessly in Service from Acts 9.

Throughout this series, we have walked alongside Ananias in his journey of fearless service. We have seen how fearless living is not reserved for the extraordinary, but is birthed in the ordinary faithfulness of those who listen, trust, obey, and love. True fearlessness is not the absence of trembling; it is the presence of faith that moves forward anyway. As we conclude this week of reflection, we are reminded that fearless service is ultimately an expression of fearless love — love for God, and love for those He calls us to serve.

Scripture Reading:

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." (Acts 9:17, KJV)