Hannah

1 Samuel 1-2

Our story comes from the Bible. It is found in the part of the Bible called 1 Samuel ("First Samuel"). It is the first of two books in the Bible named after Samuel.

A long time ago, there was a kind woman named Hannah. She really wanted to have a baby, but she didn’t have any children. This made Hannah very sad.

One day, Hannah went to the temple, a special place where people talked to God. She prayed and prayed, and tears came to her eyes. She said, “Dear God, please help me. If You give me a baby, I will give him back to You to serve You his whole life.”

A priest named Eli saw Hannah praying. At first, he didn’t understand what she was doing, but then Hannah told him she was talking to God. Eli said, “Go in peace. May God give you what you asked for.”

Not long after that, God answered Hannah’s prayer—God gave her a baby boy! She named him Samuel, which means “God heard me.” Hannah loved her little boy so much.

When Samuel was a little older, Hannah kept her promise. She brought him to the temple to serve and help there. She said, “This is the boy I prayed for. God gave him to me, and now I give him back to God.”

Hannah was so thankful, and she sang a happy song to God. She said, “My heart is happy because of the Lord!”

And Samuel grew up learning to serve God with all his heart.

God listens when we pray. We can talk to God anytime, and He always hears us.


Dear God,

Thank You for hearing Hannah’s prayer. Thank You for giving her baby Samuel. Help us remember that You always listen when we pray. We love You, God.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.





Bible Verse: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. — Psalm 119:105, BSB

Paraphrase: God’s Word shows me the way.



Activities

These activities help preschoolers engage with the story through movement, crafts, music, and storytelling, making the lesson fun and memorable.


1. “Thank You, God” Prayer Hands

Objective: To help children express thankfulness to God through a hands-on craft.

Materials: Paper, crayons or markers, scissors (adult use), glue (optional).

Activity: Have each child trace their hands on a piece of paper. On one hand, help them draw or write something they are thankful for. On the other hand, draw or write a prayer to God (e.g., “Thank You, God, for my mommy”). If desired, glue the two hands together at the palm and fold them like praying hands.

Talk About It: “Just like Hannah prayed to God and said thank You, we can say thank You to God for all the good things He gives us.”


2. Hannah’s Feelings – Emotion Faces

Objective: To explore feelings and how we can bring them to God in prayer.

Materials: Paper plates, crayons or markers, craft sticks or spoons.

Activity: Make simple emotion masks by drawing happy, sad, thankful, and surprised faces on paper plates. Let children choose or act out each one.

Talk About It: Say, “Hannah was sad and prayed to God. Then she became happy because God helped her. God cares about how we feel!”
 

3. Musical Activity – “God Gave Me You” Song

Objective: To celebrate the gift of Samuel and how God gives us people to love.

Materials: None, or rhythm instruments (optional).

Activity: Sing the following song to the tune of “Are You Sleeping?” (public domain):

        God gave Hannah, God gave Hannah
        A baby boy, a baby boy.
        She named him Samuel,
        She named him Samuel—
        A gift from God, a gift from God.

Let children sing with hand motions: cradle arms for “baby boy,” point upward for “God.”

Talk About It: Say, “God gave Hannah a very special gift. Let’s thank God for the special people in our lives.”


4. Serving Like Samuel

Objective: To connect Samuel’s service with age-appropriate ways preschoolers can help.

Materials: Small props for pretend play (toys, dishes, cleaning cloths, etc.).

Activity: Set up a pretend play area with simple chores or helping activities. Encourage children to pretend to help—set the table, tidy up, carry something carefully.

Talk About It: Say, “Samuel helped at the temple, even when he was small. You can help at home, at church, or with your friends!”

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Story illustrations are the copyright of James M. Thomas. All rights reserved.
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