God Speaks to Us for Primary 4

God Speaks to Us

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. mention some ways through which God speaks to us;
2. identify the purpose of God speaking to us;
3. narrate God’s message to Jacob;
4. explain the attitude to demonstrate when God is speaking to us.

Memory Verse

Then the Lord came and stood there, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 3:10

Bible Reading

The principal Bible passages for this lesson are:

1. Exodus 33:11
2. Numbers 12:6-8
3. 1 Samuel 3:3-10
4. 1 Samuel 3:10-13
5. Genesis 32:22-32
6. 1 Kings 19:11-13

Introduction to God Speaking

God is our Father and Creator. Just as parents speak to their children, God also speaks to people. He wants to communicate with us, guide us, and show us His love. Throughout the Bible, we read many stories of how God spoke to different people in different ways.

Ways God Speaks to People

God speaks to people in many wonderful ways. He chooses the best way to reach each person. Some of the ways God speaks include:

1. Through an Audible Voice: Sometimes, God speaks in a voice that people can hear with their ears. For example, God called Samuel by name when Samuel was a young boy serving in the temple. Samuel heard God’s voice clearly, though he first thought it was Eli, the priest (1 Samuel 3:3-10).

   

2. Through Visions and Dreams: God often speaks to people while they are asleep through dreams, or when they are awake through visions. In Numbers 12:6-8, God explained that He speaks to prophets in visions and dreams. These are like special pictures or messages shown to a person’s mind.

3. Face to Face: For some special people, like Moses, God spoke very directly, almost like one person speaking to another. Exodus 33:11 tells us that “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” This was a very close and direct way of communication.

4. Through His Word (The Bible): The Bible is God’s written word to us. When we read the Bible, God speaks to us through the stories, laws, teachings, and promises written in it. It is a constant way God communicates with everyone.

Reasons God Speaks to Us

God speaks to us because He loves us and has a plan for our lives. He speaks for several important reasons:

1. To Give Instructions and Guidance: God speaks to tell us what to do and how to live. He guides us on the right path. In 1 Samuel 3:10-13, God spoke to Samuel to give him a message about Eli and his family, instructing Samuel on what would happen.

2. To Warn Us: Sometimes, God speaks to warn us about danger or about things that are not good for us. Just like a parent warns a child, God warns us to protect us from harm.

3. To Comfort Us: When we are sad, afraid, or troubled, God speaks to comfort us and give us peace. His words can bring hope and strength.

4. To Reveal His Plans: God often speaks to show us His plans for our lives or for the world. He reveals His purposes so we can understand and be part of what He is doing.

5. To Show His Love: Every time God speaks, it is an act of love. He wants us to know that He cares for us and is always with us.

Jacob’s Encounter with God

One powerful story of God speaking to someone is Jacob’s encounter described in Genesis 32:22-32. Jacob was travelling and was very worried about meeting his brother Esau, whom he had wronged many years before.

One night, Jacob sent his family and all his possessions across a stream, and he remained alone. While he was alone, a man wrestled with him until daybreak. Jacob did not let go until the man blessed him.

The man asked Jacob for his name, and Jacob told him. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Jacob then asked for the man’s name, but the man did not tell him. Instead, he blessed Jacob there.

Jacob knew he had wrestled with God Himself. He named the place Peniel, which means “face of God,” saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” This encounter changed Jacob’s life forever. God spoke to Jacob through this wrestling and by changing his name, giving him a new identity and a blessing.

Attitude to Take When God is Speaking

When God speaks, it is important to have the right attitude. Our attitude shows our respect and willingness to obey. The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13 teaches us about this.

God told Elijah to stand on a mountain. First, a very strong wind came, so powerful that it tore mountains apart and shattered rocks, but God was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but God was not in the fire.

Finally, after the fire, Elijah heard a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out to the mouth of the cave. This gentle whisper was God speaking to him.

This story teaches us that when God speaks, we should:

1. Be Quiet and Listen Carefully: God does not always speak loudly. Sometimes, His voice is a gentle whisper, and we need to be quiet and pay close attention to hear Him. Just like Elijah, we must be ready to listen.

2. Be Respectful and Reverent: When we know God is speaking, we should show respect. Elijah covered his face, showing his reverence for God’s presence.

3. Be Ready to Obey: The most important part of listening to God is being ready to do what He says. When Samuel heard God’s voice, he said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” This means he was ready to hear and obey.

Having the right attitude helps us to understand God’s message and follow His guidance in our lives.