In the early 1800s Charles Caleb Colton coined the phrase, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Of course, he was simply observing what had been part of human nature for all history. People tend to do what the people around them are doing…for better or for worse!
Companies spend millions of dollars on marketing trying to figure out how to get more women to buy their perfume, more kids to purchase their brand of soft drink, more people to think of their restaurant when they are hungry – how to get every member of the human family to all decide to do the same thing and still see themselves as unique.
It is the human need to fit in that makes parents nervous when their kids are growing up. We want our sons and daughters around kids who make good choices because we know that when our kids make friends they will start dressing like them, talking like them, and thinking like them before we know it. For this same reason a parent’s blood runs cold when a daughter or son starts hanging out with a group of kids who are making poor and dangerous decisions.
Our heavenly Father knows us. He understands the human tendency to imitate what we see and is concerned that we follow his example. Sadly, we are often enticed to follow the example of our culture instead.
God’s Upper Story plan is for him alone to rule as King over his people. In the Lower Story, the people insist on having an earthly king as their ruler. God gives in to their request. Do you believe God still allows us to have our way (on occasion) even if it is not his perfect will for us? If so, think about what this could look like.
The above is taken from The Story: Getting to the Heart of God’s Story, pages 67 and 70.
1. What can we learn about prayer from Hannah and Samuel?
2. The Israelites and the Philistines both treated the Ark of the Covenant more like a good-luck charm than the sacred presence of the Lord. How might people today try to manipulate God for similar gain?
3. Chapter 10 opens with the beautiful story of Elkanah’s love and leadership of his family. The chapter closes with the story of Saul’s poor leadership of Israel and his self-love. Compare and contrast the leadership styles of these two men.
God hears our prayers, whether we think He does or not. It seems that Hannah prayed to God often. When Eli witnessed her prayer, she was pleading for a son, promising God that if He gave her a son, that son would be dedicated to the Lord. Her prayers were answered and she fulfilled her promise to God. Hannah was patient and trusted that God heard her. Samuel also had patience. He watched the Israelites follow the wrong path and disregard his leadership. During this time Samuel continued to turn to God for guidance and support. God loves us and wants us as His children, to honor Him as our King. We are told to “pray without ceasing”, in good times and bad times.
ReplyDeletePoint to ponder…
In the early 1800s Charles Caleb Colton coined the phrase, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Of course, he was simply observing what had been part of human nature for all history. People tend to do what the people around them are doing…for better or for worse!
Companies spend millions of dollars on marketing trying to figure out how to get more women to buy their perfume, more kids to purchase their brand of soft drink, more people to think of their restaurant when they are hungry – how to get every member of the human family to all decide to do the same thing and still see themselves as unique.
It is the human need to fit in that makes parents nervous when their kids are growing up. We want our sons and daughters around kids who make good choices because we know that when our kids make friends they will start dressing like them, talking like them, and thinking like them before we know it. For this same reason a parent’s blood runs cold when a daughter or son starts hanging out with a group of kids who are making poor and dangerous decisions.
Our heavenly Father knows us. He understands the human tendency to imitate what we see and is concerned that we follow his example. Sadly, we are often enticed to follow the example of our culture instead.
God’s Upper Story plan is for him alone to rule as King over his people. In the Lower Story, the people insist on having an earthly king as their ruler. God gives in to their request. Do you believe God still allows us to have our way (on occasion) even if it is not his perfect will for us? If so, think about what this could look like.
The above is taken from The Story: Getting to the Heart of God’s Story, pages 67 and 70.
ReplyDeleteQuestions to consider...
1. What can we learn about prayer from Hannah and Samuel?
2. The Israelites and the Philistines both treated the Ark of the Covenant more like a good-luck charm than the sacred presence of the Lord. How might people today try to manipulate God for similar gain?
3. Chapter 10 opens with the beautiful story of Elkanah’s love and leadership of his family. The chapter closes with the story of Saul’s poor leadership of Israel and his self-love. Compare and contrast the leadership styles of these two men.
God hears our prayers, whether we think He does or not. It seems that Hannah prayed to God often. When Eli witnessed her prayer, she was pleading for a son, promising God that if He gave her a son, that son would be dedicated to the Lord. Her prayers were answered and she fulfilled her promise to God. Hannah was patient and trusted that God heard her. Samuel also had patience. He watched the Israelites follow the wrong path and disregard his leadership. During this time Samuel continued to turn to God for guidance and support. God loves us and wants us as His children, to honor Him as our King. We are told to “pray without ceasing”, in good times and bad times.
ReplyDelete