ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

WEEK BEGINNING 2 JULY 2006

PEOPLE IN PRAYER - HANNAH

For home groups that would like them, here are some questions based on the talk given at Sunday's 6:30 pm service. There's no need to answer them all - just tackle the ones you have time for. You don't need to stick to the areas mentioned here - feel free to discuss any other issues that arise for you. (Incidentally, please note that we're now using Today's New International Version in Evening Worship and that some of the Bible quotations may be slightly different from other versions.)

Is it only me? There's a line in the song "Jesus, we celebrate your victory" that always makes me wince. It goes like this: "and in your presence our problems disappear." Is this your experience of the Christian life? Should it be? (discuss)

Read 1 Samuel 1:1-20

4 points to get our teeth into...

1) THERE IS TROUBLE IN HANNAH'S LIFE

What is Hannah's situation? How long has it been going on? How does Elkanah try to deal with the situation?

Who does Hannah hold responsible? (This is by far the trickiest question in this section! And I'm sure it would merit some wider discussion.)

- Hannah holds God responsible. Maybe like the blind man Jesus encounters in John 9?
- But what about Job? God is not responsible here - even though he allows it?
- And what about accidents? Human causes?
- The danger of laying everything at God's feet is that he may not be the cause, and we end up resenting him.
- Anyway whatever or whoever the cause - Hannah shows us how to respond.

2) THERE IS FAITH IN HANNAH'S HEART

Despite all of this she kept on praying. Re-read verses 10-16

What does this tell us about real prayer?
How is Hannah a good example to us?
What does it mean to pour out your soul to God?
Are you able to bring all of your different emotions to God in prayer?
Do you really believe that when you pray that God will act?
Verses 10 and 11 seem to suggest a shift in Hannah's prayer - not simply from being about her and her desires but about God. How open are you to having your prayers shaped by God?

3) THERE IS AN ANSWER TO HANNAH'S PRAYER

a] A promise of peace… v17. Note at this stage does she know the answer to her prayer? Does this bring to mind a passage of Paul to the Philippians? Whatever the answer, we can know God's peace.
b] Hannah's request is granted… v19-20. Does God answer her prayer? - YES! Does God answer all prayer? YES! But he may say yes, no or wait!
Was Hannah's answer "yes" straight away? No she'd waited years and years (v7). Are we grateful for "no" and "wait" from God as well as his "yes"? How can we know more "yes's"? (When we allow him to shape our prayers.)
c] There is great blessing. How many children does Hannah end up with? (2v21) God wants to give us more than we can imagine!

4) THERE IS FRUIT IN HANNAH'S LIFE

What is the evidence that even before Hannah knows the answer, there is fruit in her life? (v18)
What evidence does verse 20 provide?
What happens to Samuel after her prayer is answered (rest of Ch1)?
Does she forget he answered prayer?
Is she grateful? (Ch2:1-10)

SUMMARY:

Do we pray like Hannah?
How can we help each other to pray like Hannah?
Are you able to bring all your pains and joys to God, knowing that he loves he hear, and longs to act?

Edward Hobbs
3 July 2006