THEME: The reign of God: Children and the kingdom of God
SUB-THEME: Initiating the child (1)
TOPIC: Wean and instruct in the right manner 
TEXT: 1 Sam. 1:20-27
AIM:
i. to expose the concept of weaning a child
ii. to study the relationship between physical and spiritual weaning.
INTRODUCTION
Initiating means to start a way oflife with someone. Weaning of a child is a mark of advancement in the life ofthe child. The child moves from breastfeeding to other sources of nourishment. At this point, the child does not depend on milk. Living on milk alone could not sustain his new level of physical development. From the spiritual point of view, a Christian is expected to develop to the point of not living on “milk” alone. It is at this point that he can instruct and be instructed in the right manner.
STUDY GUIDES
1. What is your understanding of weaning a child?
2. What did Hannah do, after weaning Samuel? 1Sam 1:24-27 and what lessons can we derive from this as Christians?
3. Discuss the relationship between physical weaning and spiritual weaning. 1Sam 2:11-18; Luke 2:39-40; 1Co. 13:11; 14:20; Eph 4:14.
4. Discuss the effects of spiritual weaning in the context of Isa. 7:15; 1Co. 2:6; Heb. 5:13-14.
CONCLUSION: Christian parents have the responsibility of bringing up their children in godly ways and nurturing them until they advance to the next level of their lives. The same responsibility is required of us in nurturing people spiritually untilthey stand mature in Christ.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Weaning a child leads to winning the child
MEMORY VERSE: 1 Cor. 13:11:
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child. Ithoughtlike a child, Ireasoned like a child, when I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”