Radical Discipleship

  • Pastor Lesli Klingenmeier
Have you ever felt the weight of a deep longing or unfulfilled desire? Discover how one woman’s heartfelt prayer and unwavering faith led to a life-changing promise and a legacy of devotion. Join us as we explore the power of commitment and the impact of spiritual dedication in our lives and communities.

More from this series

Singing Sounds Like Trust

Singing Sounds Like Trust

God's Word (Lectio Divina)

God's Word (Lectio Divina)

Pursuing with Purpose

Pursuing with Purpose

Presence, Patience, and Pursuit

Presence, Patience, and Pursuit

Who is your one?

Who is your one?

The War in Heaven and the War on Earth

The War in Heaven and the War on Earth

Wait on the Lord

Wait on the Lord

Living with Expectancy

Living with Expectancy

Peace Makers

Peace Makers

Hearers & Doers

Hearers & Doers

Peace Peace

Peace Peace

I'm In Trouble

I'm In Trouble

According to God's Will

According to God's Will

No Longer Fit

No Longer Fit

Remain in Grace

Remain in Grace

Making Room

Making Room

Through the Suffering

Through the Suffering

Jesus Called Him Son

Jesus Called Him Son

Next Right Step

Next Right Step

Selah: Pause In God's Presence

Selah: Pause In God's Presence

Jesus Wants To Go To Work With You

Jesus Wants To Go To Work With You

Hey, God Loves You.

Hey, God Loves You.

Closing the Distance

Closing the Distance

Out Of Your Greatest Need

Out Of Your Greatest Need

On Mission with Jesus

On Mission with Jesus

Love. Abide. Endure.

Love. Abide. Endure.

Falling Away & Being Restored

Falling Away & Being Restored

We Are The Replacement

We Are The Replacement

Not the Main Character

Not the Main Character

A New Name

A New Name

See All Sermons

Radical Discipleship

Message Summary
Have you ever felt the weight of a deep longing or unfulfilled desire? Discover how one woman’s heartfelt prayer and unwavering faith led to a life-changing promise and a legacy of devotion. Join us as we explore the power of commitment and the impact of spiritual dedication in our lives and communities.
Key Scripture
“I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.
1 Samuel 1:27-28 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: The Cry of the Heart

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:9-18 NLT

Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!” “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

Devotional:
Hannah’s story begins with a deep longing and a heartfelt prayer. Her anguish and sorrow were met with misunderstanding, yet she remained steadfast in her faith. Her prayer was not just a request but a vow, showing her willingness to dedicate her deepest desire back to God. This teaches us about the power of prayer and the importance of bringing our deepest concerns to God, trusting in His timing and plan.

Response Questions:

  1. What are some deep desires or longings you have brought before God in prayer?
  2. How do you handle misunderstandings or judgments from others when you are vulnerable in your faith?
  3. What does it mean to you to dedicate your desires back to God?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength to bring your deepest concerns to God, trusting in His plan.
  2. Ask God for the grace to remain steadfast in faith, even when misunderstood by others.

Day 2

Day 2: A Promise Fulfilled

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:19-28 NLT

The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the Lord once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.” The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and to keep his vow. But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the Lord permanently.” “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise.” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned. When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought the boy to Eli. “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there.

Devotional:
Hannah’s faithfulness is evident as she fulfills her vow to God. Despite the joy of having her long-awaited son, she honors her promise by dedicating Samuel to the Lord. This act of obedience and sacrifice demonstrates her deep trust in God and her understanding that all blessings ultimately belong to Him. Hannah’s story challenges us to consider how we honor God with the blessings He gives us.

Response Questions:

  1. How do you respond when God fulfills a promise or answers a prayer in your life?
  2. What are some ways you can dedicate your blessings back to God?
  3. How does Hannah’s story inspire you to trust God with your most cherished desires?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the courage to fulfill any vows or promises you have made to God.
  2. Ask God to help you see how you can dedicate your blessings back to Him in meaningful ways.

Day 3

Day 3: The Power of Dedication

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:18-21 NLT

But Samuel, though he was only a boy, served the Lord. He wore a linen garment like that of a priest. Each year his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice. Before they returned home, Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord give you other children to take the place of this one she gave to the Lord.” And the Lord blessed Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

Devotional:
Hannah’s dedication of Samuel to the Lord was not the end of her story. God blessed her with more children, showing His faithfulness and generosity. Samuel’s life, dedicated to God from a young age, became a testament to the power of a life lived in service to the Lord. This reminds us that when we dedicate our lives and blessings to God, He often multiplies them in ways we cannot imagine.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean to you to live a life dedicated to God?
  2. How have you seen God multiply blessings in your life when you have dedicated something to Him?
  3. In what ways can you encourage others to dedicate their lives and gifts to God?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a heart that is willing to dedicate your life and gifts to God’s service.
  2. Ask God to show you how He wants to use your life for His purposes.

Day 4

Day 4: Hearing God’s Voice

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 NLT

Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon. One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did. Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.” Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

Devotional:
Samuel’s first encounter with God’s voice is a powerful moment of learning and growth. With Eli’s guidance, Samuel learns to recognize and respond to God’s call. This story highlights the importance of spiritual mentors and the readiness to listen when God speaks. It encourages us to be attentive to God’s voice and to seek guidance from those who can help us discern His will.

Response Questions:

  1. How do you discern when God is speaking to you?
  2. Who are the spiritual mentors in your life, and how have they helped you grow in your faith?
  3. What steps can you take to be more attentive to God’s voice in your daily life?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the ability to recognize and respond to God’s voice in your life.
  2. Ask God to provide you with spiritual mentors who can guide you in your faith journey.

Day 5

Day 5: A Legacy of Faith

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:19-21 NLT

As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle.

Devotional:
Samuel’s life became a legacy of faith and reliability. As he grew, the Lord was with him, and his words were trusted throughout Israel. This legacy began with Hannah’s prayer and dedication, showing the profound impact of a life committed to God. Our own lives can leave a lasting legacy when we choose to live faithfully and obediently, impacting those around us and future generations.

Response Questions:

  1. What kind of legacy do you want to leave for future generations?
  2. How can you ensure that your life reflects faithfulness and obedience to God?
  3. In what ways can you influence others to live a life committed to God?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength to live a life that leaves a lasting legacy of faith.
  2. Ask God to use your life to impact others and draw them closer to Him.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

Opening Prayer

Begin with a prayer, asking God to open hearts and minds to the lessons from Hannah’s story and to guide the discussion.

Icebreaker

  • Question: Share a time when you had to wait for something you deeply desired. How did you handle the waiting period?
  • Context: The sermon highlighted Hannah’s deep longing for a child and her patient, prayerful waiting on God.

Discussion Questions

  1. What does it mean to “bring forth life and nurture its development” in a spiritual sense?
    • Context: The sermon explained the Latin meaning of “parent” as bringing forth life and nurturing its development, encouraging us to think about how we do this spiritually in our communities.
  2. How did Hannah’s approach to her grief and longing differ from how we might typically handle such emotions?
    • Context: Hannah poured out her heart to God in prayer rather than turning to others or seeking comfort in worldly ways. This demonstrates a model of taking our deepest concerns directly to God.
  3. What can we learn from Hannah’s vow and her willingness to dedicate Samuel to the Lord?
    • Context: Despite her deep desire for a child, Hannah was willing to give Samuel back to God, showing radical commitment and trust in God’s plan.
  4. How can we apply the concept of “greater dedication” in our own spiritual lives?
    • Context: The sermon challenged us to consider areas where God might be calling us to deeper dedication, whether through increased prayer, Bible study, or other spiritual disciplines.
  5. Discuss the role of spiritual mentors or coaches in our lives. How can we be both mentors and mentees in our faith communities?
    • Context: Eli served as a spiritual coach to Samuel, teaching him to recognize and respond to God’s voice. The sermon emphasized the importance of having and being spiritual mentors.
  6. How can we foster faith conversations in our homes and communities, and why are they important?
    • Context: The sermon shared research showing that faith conversations significantly impact the spiritual lives of young people, encouraging us to prioritize these discussions.

Activity

  • Prayer Walk or Scavenger Hunt: Consider organizing a prayer walk or scavenger hunt in your community or at a local school, as suggested in the sermon. Use this time to pray for the spiritual growth and protection of the children and families in your area.

Closing Prayer

Conclude with a prayer, asking God to help each group member apply the lessons from Hannah’s story in their own lives and to guide them in nurturing spiritual life in others.

Family Table Talk

A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.

📖 Scripture

❓Family Question

💬 Parent Prompt:

Weekly Practice

A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.