Week 5

The Power of a Mother’s Example (Part 1)

By Sandra Clifton, D.Min.

 

Begin your study by reading “The Power of a Mother’s Example” by Carolyn Custis James (SpiritLed Woman magazine, June/July, 2006).

 

Introduction

It is comforting to know that Almighty God responds to our prayers and perseverance, no matter how great our need! God’s Word demonstrates detailed examples of a power God meeting people in their darkest hours, at their greatest point of need. One biblical example is the story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel.

 

What God Says

Read 1 Sam. 1:1-28.

 

Write out 1 Sam. 2:1.

 

Deeper Insight

Read the following scriptures (in New King James Version, as the exercises to follow will be based on that). Make brief notes of how each passage reveals the supreme power of God, and how He is always in control!

 

1 Sam. 2:7: ______________________________________________________

 

1 Sam. 2:8: ______________________________________________________

 

1 Sam. 2:9: ______________________________________________________

 

Ps. 138:3: _______________________________________________________

Application

Fill in the blanks of the Scriptures below (which are in NKJV), taken from the previous section (Deeper Insight). Afterward, check to see how you did (or didn’t) do!

            It is always a good and powerful thing to memorize God-s Word—to get it in you, so take time to do so this week, knowing that you are feeding your spirit to make you stronger in God.

 

1 Sam. 2:7: “The Lord makes ____ and makes ____; He brings ___ and lifts ___.”

 

1 Sam. 2:8: “He raises the ____ from the dust and lifts the ______ from the ash heap, to set them among _______ and make them inherit the ____ of _____. For the pillars of the ____ are the Lord’s,. and He has set the ____upon them.”

 

1 Sam. 2:9: “He will guard the ____ of His ____, but the wicked shall be silent in _________.”

 

For Group Study

Begin your group time by reading aloud 1 Samuel 2:7; 1 Samuel 2:8; and 1 Samuel 2:9. Discuss how all three are alike, and then how each is unique. Next go around the group and share how members of the group have seen any one of these scriptures to be evident in their lives in a certain circumstance or moment of need. Testimonies of “a powerful God at work” are to be encouraged!

            Close the group session, first by taking prayer requests that will be read. Begin the prayer session by reading aloud Ps. 138:3. And pray thanks to God that He is answering the prayer requests read aloud at that moment. End the prayer by thanking Him that He has answered all prayers, spoken and unspoken.

 

Prayer

Memorize Ps. 138:3. Thank the Lord for His ever-abiding love and faithfulness and that He is a powerful God who answers our every need, no matter how great, no matter what time of day or night we call upon Him!