Oh, to have heard young Jesus in the temple. A boy on the cusp of manhood, astounding the scholars of the faith. Rather than take the traditional parent perspective to this story, it’s written it from the eyes of one of the temple priests. There are 2 reasons for this, firstly this story is sometimes taught as the one thing Jesus did wrong, scripture disputes this and yet from a child’s viewpoint it’s an easy lesson to accidentally learn. Secondly, the story is an echo of a time yet to come and so the focus should be on the message of Jesus here, the significance of him being lost for 3 days can be drawn out with older groups
This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.
Cut out the cards and separate one. Place all the remaining cards face down over random squares. Look at the picture in the remaining uncovered square; this is what we aim to find. Lift any card. Does it match the original picture? If it matches, place it face up on that square; if it doesn’t, place it face down. We now have a new image we are searching for: the one under the card you just lifted. Continue until all the cards are face up. Link: Samuel searching for the voice’s origin.
Recognising Voices
All Ages
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Can be seated
Have the child playing Samuel sit in a chair (blindfolded, if you feel it’s needed, or with eyes closed). Point to one other child and get them to call out “young Samuel?” Can the child identify the voice? Link: Recognising voices
That looks like a…
All Ages
Small group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Can be seated
Take a large envelope and cut a small hole in the side. (A hole punch will do this neatly.) Slip a picture into the envelope and give it to the children. The children will probably try to move the picture about to see as much as possible. Link: recognising things by just one part
Follow the leader
Under 7’s
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Use this classic game where the ‘leader’ chooses an action, direction, or sound and the group need to imitate that. Link: Samuel copied Eli’s instructions
Identify the sound
Under 7’s
Any size group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Can be seated
If you have access to the internet within your space, then use this YouTube video to play guess the sound, the sound plays then the curtain lifts to reveal what made the sound. Others available too! Link: Eli identifying God’s voice
For each passage, there is a collectable card alongside high-quality character images and a colouring page. All other graphics are extra’s!
Click on the images below to see a larger version. Save the images by right click + ‘save image as’ (computers) OR long press + ‘save image’ (mobile).
These images are NOT copyright free.
These resources are provided for personal/classroom use only. Use can use them for teaching, games, publicity, decor, big screen presentations, flannelgraphs, stickers, or any other non-commercial activity in your church, school, home, or organised group. You may not use them in products you are going to sell — both printed and digital, or to upload the original images online, on websites, social media or in YouTube videos. Any questions, please reach out to me using the contact page link at the end of the page.
Wake up Samuel from him slumber with this simple split pin craft.
Both colour and outline templates are free to download at the end of the post. The template includes a photo, materials list and instructions or follow along the step-by-step photo’s on this post.
This passage is a short story and quite a straightforward message. Samuel is called, but he doesn’t recognise the voice and needs the help of an older believer in learning how to respond.
This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.
