Session 16: Hear and Respond – Samuel Hears God’s Voice & Gladys Aylward

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1–21
Mission Focus: Gladys Aylward (England → China)
Key Verse: Luke 11:28
Series: Missions: Big World, Bigger God

Lesson Overview

What does it really mean to listen to God?

In this session, children discover how Samuel learned to recognise God’s call and respond with obedience. They then meet Gladys Aylward, who continued praying, preparing, and following God’s call to China even when the journey seemed impossible.

Together, these stories teach children that listening involves more than hearing. God guides us through His Word, prayer, and wise Christian help—and true listening leads to faithful action.

What Children Will Learn

• God knows us and calls us personally.
• We learn God’s truth through the Bible.
• Wise Christians can help us understand God’s ways.
• Every thought or feeling should be tested by God’s Word.
• Listening to God includes obeying what He says.
• Obedience sometimes requires patience and courage.
• We can trust God and take the next faithful step.

📖 Bible Focus: Samuel Hears God’s Voice

This session begins with young Samuel hearing his name called during the night.

Children discover how:

• Samuel thought Eli was calling him;
• God patiently called Samuel again;
• Eli helped Samuel understand how to respond;
• Samuel listened even when God’s message was difficult;
• hearing God’s truth led Samuel to obey.

Eli taught Samuel to answer:

“Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

The story helps children understand that we listen for God’s guidance through the Bible, prayer, and the help of mature Christians—not by treating every thought or feeling as a message from Him.

🌏 Mission Story: Gladys Aylward

Children are then introduced to Gladys Aylward, an ordinary housemaid who believed God was calling her to serve in China.

They’ll discover how:

• a missionary organisation rejected her, but she continued praying and preparing;
• she worked and saved money for the long journey to China;
• she learned the language and listened to the needs of local people;
• she shared the love of Jesus through both her words and actions;
• during wartime, she courageously led around one hundred children on a dangerous journey to safety.

Gladys said:

“My courage is only borrowed from Him.”

Her story shows children that listening to God becomes visible through faithful, courageous action.

🎥 Watch the Story Videos

Samuel Hears God’s Voice – Bible Story

Gladys Aylward – Short Biography

Gladys Aylward – Full Story

Lesson Resources

Everything you need to teach this session in one printable pack:

• Step-by-step teaching guide
• Illustrated Bible and missionary stories
• Colour and black-and-white story pages
• Group games and discussion questions
• Luke 11:28 memory verse activities
• Gladys Aylward missionary focus cards
• Worksheets and word search
• Listen-and-draw activity
• Journey to China train craft
• Samuel door-hanger craft
• Samuel’s oil lamp craft
• Colouring pages
• Instruction Expert take-home challenge
• Printable reward badges
• Answer page

Printable Story Booklets Optional:

Includes fully illustrated Samuel and Gladys Aylward stories. Ideal for take-home use, lesson review, and helping children retell what they have learned.

FREE DOWNLOAD

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