God Reveals Himself to Us Basic 4 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

The Purpose of God’s Revelation

Revelation means God showing Himself to people so they can know Him.

Why God Reveals Himself

To Show His Love

• God wants people to know He loves them
• He doesn’t want to be a stranger to us
• He desires a close relationship with us
• Love makes God want to communicate with us

To Teach Us About Himself

• God reveals His character and nature
• He shows us that He is holy, good, and powerful
• We learn about God’s mercy and kindness
• We understand what God is like

To Guide Our Lives

• God gives us direction for living
• He shows us the right path to follow
• He helps us make good decisions
• He warns us about dangers

To Call People to Serve Him

• God reveals Himself to choose special servants
• He calls prophets, priests, and leaders
• He gives people work to do for His kingdom
• He prepares people for important tasks

To Give Hope and Comfort

• When people are sad or afraid, God reveals Himself
• He shows that He is with us in hard times
• He promises to help and protect us
• He gives us peace and encouragement

To Save People from Sin

• God reveals His plan to rescue us
• He shows us our need for forgiveness
• He points us to Jesus our Savior
• He offers us eternal life

The Call of Samuel

Background of Samuel’s Story

• Samuel was a young boy living in the temple
• He served under Eli the priest
• His mother Hannah had prayed for a son
• She gave Samuel to serve God in the temple

How God Called Samuel

The Night God Called:

• Samuel was sleeping in the temple
• God called “Samuel! Samuel!”
• Samuel thought Eli was calling him
• He ran to Eli saying “Here I am, you called me”

Eli’s Response:

• Eli said “I didn’t call you, go back to sleep”
• This happened three times
• Finally Eli realized God was calling Samuel
• Eli told Samuel how to respond to God

Samuel’s Proper Response:

• Eli taught Samuel to say: “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening”
• When God called again, Samuel gave the right answer
• God then spoke His message to Samuel
• Samuel became God’s prophet from that young age

God’s Message to Samuel:

• God told Samuel about judgment coming to Eli’s family
• Eli’s sons were wicked and didn’t honor God
• God was going to punish them for their sins
• Samuel was afraid to tell Eli, but he obeyed God

The Result:

• Samuel grew up to be a great prophet
• He served God faithfully all his life
• People knew that God spoke through Samuel
• Samuel anointed kings and guided Israel

Lessons from Samuel’s Call

• God can call anyone, even children
• We should listen carefully when God speaks
• We need help from older Christians to understand God
• Obeying God is more important than pleasing people

How God Revealed Himself to People of Old

Through Dreams

Examples:

• Jacob’s Dream – Saw ladder to heaven with angels

• Joseph’s Dreams – About his future and Egypt’s famine

• Pharaoh’s Dreams – About seven years of plenty and famine

• Daniel – Interpreted dreams for kings

Purpose: God used dreams to show future events and give guidance

Through Visions

Examples:

• Isaiah – Saw God on His throne surrounded by angels
• Ezekiel – Saw wheels and strange creatures representing God’s glory
• Daniel – Saw visions of future kingdoms
• Peter – Saw vision of clean and unclean animals

Purpose: Visions showed God’s glory and gave special messages

Through Angels

Examples:

• Abraham – Angels visited to promise Isaac’s birth
• Lot – Angels warned him to leave Sodom
• Moses – Angel appeared in the burning bush
• Mary – Angel Gabriel announced Jesus’ birth

Purpose: Angels delivered God’s messages and instructions

Through Prophets

Examples:

• Moses – God spoke to him face to face
• Samuel – God spoke to him as a child
• Elijah – Heard God’s still small voice
• Jeremiah – God called him as a young man

Purpose: Prophets spoke God’s words to the people

Through Miracles

Examples:

• Burning Bush – Bush burned but wasn’t destroyed (Moses)

• Pillar of Fire and Cloud – Led Israel through the wilderness

• Fire from Heaven – Elijah’s contest with false prophets

Purpose: Miracles showed God’s power and presence

Through His Voice

Examples:

• Adam and Eve – God walked and talked with them in the garden
• Noah – God gave instructions for the ark
• Abraham – God called him to leave his country
• Moses – God spoke from Mount Sinai

Purpose: Direct communication showed God’s personal relationship with people

Through Nature

Examples:

• Thunder and Lightning – Showed God’s power at Mount Sinai
• Earthquake – God spoke to Elijah after the earthquake
• Storm – God spoke to Job from the whirlwind
• Star – Led wise men to baby Jesus

Purpose: Creation displays God’s glory and power

Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. Revelation means God _______ Himself to people.
2. Samuel was called by God when he was a _______ boy.
3. God reveals Himself to show His _______ for us.
4. Eli told Samuel to say “Speak, Lord, your _______ is listening.”

Exercise 2: True or False

1. God only reveals Himself to adults. _____
2. Samuel thought Eli was calling him at first. _____
3. God used dreams to speak to people in old times. _____
4. Angels never brought messages from God. _____