He was given authority.
“Samuel called the people together to the Lord,” (10:17)
and “Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the
people” (8:10). He was honest and trustworthy in
leading people.
While children can achieve this level of champion-
ship quality, they will most likely experience it from
older people in their lives, particularly from their
parents, pastors, and teachers until they grow into it
themselves. That is why it is so critical that they are
kept from being under authority of those who are
not honest or trustworthy in leading them in their
spiritual formation. Perhaps nowhere is this more
strategic than the authorities we allow to influence
our children’s education. Will they call our children
to the Lord? Will they tell them all the words of the
Lord? If not, it is spiritually dangerous to put kids
under such authority.
He started young.
That is the very best time to start your child’s
future! The Bible says, “Samuel ministered before
the Lord, even as a child” (2:18).
Most people that become outstanding at what
they do, get their start very early in life. Think
swimmers, dancers, and musicians. They often
start their training at age two or three! Yet I often
hear parents say they don’t want to direct their
child’s spiritual thinking until they are old enough
to make their own choice. I can’t imagine that
same parent thinking that way about their child
touching fire, tasting the chemicals under the
sink, or going off with total strangers. Parents are
to teach and protect their children in everything,
especially in spiritual matters, and they learn best
when they start young.
He was not an instant phenomenon
but developed steadily over time.
“Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men” (2:26).
Have you ever seen someone who was a ‘shooting star’ who was brilliant
for a moment but then vanished from sight? This is the inevitable result of
talent without character. Talent can take a person to the top, but it takes
character to keep one there. Talent can be natural, but character must be
developed over a lifetime. Samuel’s character was no doubt shaped by
the structure, guidance, and discipline he received from those around him,
but like all of us, it only developed as he carefully embraced truth himself.
He began to have influence and
impact.
“Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words
fall to the ground,” (3:19) and “All Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew
that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord” (3:20).
There is something wonderful that happens in a person’s life when
their talent and character are proven. Like cream, they rise to the
top. They are the ones people look to for leadership and direction.
They reach the top of their professions and organizations. Why?
Because champions are not just born. They are developed and
proven through the challenges they face and overcome. It is only
then that they have influence and impact.
He had a willingness to obey.
It is interesting to know that the scripture states twice that, “Samuel did
what the Lord said” (3:21 & 16:4).
I don’t care how smart a child is, if they don’t learn to obey willingly,
they won’t go far in life. They won’t do well in school. They won’t be
able to hold down a job. They certainly won’t make it in the military.
And neither will they make it as a Christian! The prophet Samuel himself
told the strong-willed King Saul that, “To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected
the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king” (15:22-23).
With our six children we found that obedience didn’t come willingly
until they understood that they didn’t have the option of disobedience.
That lesson was best taught at a very early age.
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