"Known Beyond Your Barren Places" -1 Samuel 1:1-18

Speaker: Jong Park

Hannah's story is the story of all of us; we are people who are tempted to build our identity on what we produce or possess, only to find it isn't enough. Through the gospel, we learn that our empty places are not a verdict against us, but an invitation from God to discover who we really are because of His love.

Discussion Questions:

1. Hannah allowed her emptiness to define her identity. What kinds of “empty spaces” are people today tempted to let define them?
2. ​We can choose to be impressive or choose to be known. Why is it often easier to pursue being impressive rather than known?
3. Elkanah genuinely loved Hannah, yet he could not heal the deeper ache inside her. What does this teach us about the limits of human relationships and the danger of idolatry?
4. Both Hannah and Peninnah were trying to build their identity around something fragile. How do you see this dynamic play out in modern life, even in religious ways?
5. What are your thoughts on Pastor Jong’s statement: “Our empty spaces are not a referendum on who we are, but a divinely designed invitation from God for something deeper.”
6. Before prayer, Hannah saw God as a means to get a son, but afterward God himself became the end. How can we tell when we are using God merely to obtain something else?
7. The domino illustration described Jesus as the one who stopped and reversed the collapse of humanity. What aspect of that image most connects with you personally?
8. Parents and spiritual mentors do not need to be impressive but honest and rooted in God. Why is authenticity often more spiritually formative than perfection?
9. Psalm 1 describes a blessed person as someone who delights in the Lord and becomes like a fruitful tree. What practices help cultivate genuine delight in God rather than mere religious obligation?