E
VERYBODY LIKES A WINNER. And every parent
I know wants his or her child to be great at some-
thing, whether it be spelling, music, sports, etc. Have
you ever noticed how much parents like to brag on their
kids? What they are really trying to say is, “Look! My kid is
a Champion!”
That’s all good and natural, but how often do we as
parents dream about our kids becoming Spiritual Champi-
ons? How often do we think about them sacrificially serving
lost people in a distant land or in a local city mission? Do
we ever envision our kids leading prayer meetings or Bible
studies among their peers or leading a classmate, fellow
employee, or neighbor into a relationship with Jesus? Do we
ever dream and talk about those things?
The Old Testament prophet Samuel is a champion
worth thinking about. You know him as a signifi-
cant leader of Ancient Israel. Since we’re talking
about Raising Children Who Become Spiritual
Champions, let’s look at some of the reasons our
biblical Samuel became such a champion.
His father, Elkanah, was a spiritual man. The
Bible says of him, “This man went up from his city
yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts
in Shiloh” (1 Sam 1:3). He took his whole family
with him and gave each of them gifts to present
to the Lord (1:4-5). He modeled for his family his
high priority on serving and worshipping God.
His mother, Hannah, was also spiritually
minded. She is perhaps best known for practicing
the discipline of prayer. The Bible says, “She was
in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept
in anguish” (1:10). Hannah said, “I have drunk neither wine
nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the
Lord” (1:15). Until Samuel was weaned, he was her spiritual
priority, prompting her to say: “Not until the child is weaned;
then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and
remain there forever” (1:22). She then joined her husband in
dedicating their son to God, saying, “For this child I prayed,
and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.
Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he
shall be lent to the Lord” (1:27-28). Then, she didn’t abandon
Samuel, but “used to make him a little robe, and bring it to
him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer
the yearly sacrifice” (2:19). In short, she stayed engaged and
committed.
Not only did Samuel have godly parents, he was put
under the tutelage of Eli, the man God had placed as His
chief spiritual leader over Israel at the time. Eli mentored
Samuel spiritually and professionally. The Bible says, “The
boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli,” (3:1) and “Eli
perceived that the Lord had called the boy” (3:8). Eli had spiri-
tual discernment and perception about what God was doing
in Samuel’s life. Perhaps most important of all, he taught
Samuel how to respond properly to God. “Eli said to Samuel,
“Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say,
‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears’” (3:9).
The pattern is clear. Samuel had a father, a mother, and
a caring pastor/teacher who all knew God and empowered
him to learn about and give his life to God.
continued...
Champions are not
just born. They
are developed and
proven through the
challenges they face
and overcome.
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