Raising a Disciple, Not Just a Child

5 Biblical Principles from Hannah’s Story

By: Michelle Corless, DPT, MDiv

"I asked him for this child, and he gave me what I asked for. So I am dedicating him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he will belong to the Lord."
—1 Samuel 1:27–28 (GNT)

This text offers a rich foundational model for Christian Parenting and how to view, pray, and entrust our children to God. But before we jump into some key points about the passage...

Who Was Hannah?

Hannah is the first major figure in the book of 1 Samuel. She was:

• The wife of Elkanah
• Unable to have children for many years
• Grieved deeply over her barrenness
• Mocked by Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:6)

After years of infertility and sorrow, Hannah prays earnestly to God for a child.

Her heartbreak, her deepest pain, leads her to boldly pray and trust in God. She vows to give her child to God.

God answers her prayer, and she gives birth to a son: Samuel, which means "heard by God." 

5 Biblical Parenting Principles from Hannah’s Story

1. Children Are a Gift from God

“I asked him for this child, and he gave me what I asked for…”

Hannah praying for Samuel underscores the truth that children are not possessions, they are precious gifts from God!

This challenges the cultural idea that our children are primarily extensions of ourselves. Children come supernaturally from God's provision and whether they are our children or children around us, our posture should always be that of praise and thanksgiving for them! 

2. Prayer Is the Foundation of Parenting

Hannah’s journey starts with prayer: longing, wrestling, and finally, petition.

She doesn't just want a child—she pleads with God for one, and then founds her parenting on prayer from day one.

This sets a unique tone for Christian parenting:

❤️ Praying for our children before they’re born.

❤️ Praying for their hearts to be shaped by God.

❤️ Praying for wisdom to parent them with grace and truth.

Parenting is a spiritual work before it is a practical one.

3. Dedication Is More Than a Ceremony

“ So I am dedicating him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he will belong to the Lord.”

Hannah’s act of giving Samuel back to the Lord wasn’t symbolic, it was literal and wholehearted. In Christian parenting, this represents a lifelong posture vs a one-time event. It means:

✅ Raising children with a kingdom purpose.

✅ Teaching them they belong to God first.

✅ Letting go of control and trusting God’s plan for them, even when it doesn’t look like ours. 

It's a kind of parenting that says:

“My goal is not to raise a successful adult, but a surrendered disciple.”

4. Sacrifice Is Inherent to Faithful Parenting

Hannah's surrender is costly.

She gives up her only son to be raised in the temple. Christian parenting also involves daily, sacrificial choices:

🙏🏽 Choosing patience when you’re exhausted.

🙏🏽 Teaching hard truths in love.

🙏🏽 Saying no to cultural values that conflict with Christ.

🙏🏽 Letting your child follow God’s call, even when it means distance or difficulty.

Raising godly children may come with tears and letting go—but it bears eternal fruit.

5. The End Goal Is God’s Glory, Not Our Image

Hannah doesn’t raise Samuel for her own pride or legacy. She gives him fully to serve in God’s house. This realigns our hearts:

✨ We don’t raise our children to fulfill our dreams; we raise them to fulfill God's purpose for their lives.

This may mean:

• Letting them be different.
• Guiding, not controlling.
• Rejoicing when they follow Jesus even when it costs something.

❤️ A Legacy of Faith

Samuel grows up to become a central figure in Israel’s history—a prophet and leader used by God.

Hannah’s story reminds us: to trust God through pain, dedicate our blessings to Him, and raise our children for His purposes.

We hope this encourages and blesses you in your parenting journey.
Let’s raise disciples, not just children.