In this episode of Also Featured in the Cast, I turn our attention to Hannah, the mother of Samuel. In the “movie” of 1 Samuel, Samuel is clearly the star, but Hannah—often overlooked—shapes the story in ways that change history. We’ll explore her passionate prayer, her faithfulness to keep her covenant with God, and her role in raising and dedicating Samuel for the Lord’s service. Along the way, I’ll reflect on how God uses “supporting characters” like Hannah—and like you and me—to bring about His plans. Even when we feel unseen, our influence may be far greater than we imagine.

– Dr. Mark Rutland

• (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook
• (00:00:25) - 1 Samuel
• (00:04:27) - Actor of the Week
• (00:06:41) - Samuel the Book of 2 Samuel
• (00:08:10) - The reasons behind the barren women of the Bible
• (00:10:25) - The Story of Hannah and Polygyny
• (00:15:01) - The role of mothers in the life
• (00:21:26) - The Priest at Shiloh
• (00:24:44) - There are those people who can be dramatically and wonderfully used of God
• (00:28:48) - The Life of Saul and His Reign
• (00:34:46) - The Book of David
• (00:38:43) - The Story of Samuel

In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I continue my series Also Featured in the Cast by turning to the life of Moses. Moses is the central figure of Exodus—the lawgiver, the deliverer, the star of the story. Yet surrounding him are others whose faith, courage, and even failures shaped his journey: parents who hid him, a sister who watched over him, Pharaoh’s daughter who rescued him, Jethro who advised him, and Pharaoh who resisted him. Their choices remind us that our lives are never lived in isolation. God uses the people around us—both allies and adversaries—to shape our destiny. My prayer is that you will recognize the cast members in your own story and trust God to use every one of them for His purposes. — Dr. Mark Rutland

• (00:00:03) - Leaders Notebook
• (00:02:51) - Dean Winters in John Wick: The Maimed Man
• (00:05:05) - 3 Things That Affect the Story of Moses
• (00:13:55) - Pharaoh's Daughter's Mercy for the Baby
• (00:21:54) - The Problem of God vs Pharaoh
• (00:26:51) - Aaron and Miriam
• (00:30:16) - You're the Star of Your Life

In this series of The Leader’s Notebook, I begin a journey I’m calling Also Featured in the Cast. When we read the stories of great Bible heroes like Abraham, we often focus only on the star of the story. Yet around Abraham are others—Terah, Nahor, Haran, Lot, and Sarai—figures who also shape the journey. Some hinder, some fall away, some compromise, and some stand faithfully beside him. Through their lives we discover lessons about the people around us: those we may have to release, those who start the journey but cannot finish, those who drift toward compromise, and those who walk with us through thick and thin. My prayer is that these stories will help you see your own journey more clearly and encourage you to keep your eyes on the call of God, no matter who else is in the cast.

— Dr. Mark Rutland

• (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook
• (00:00:25) - Genesis 11, Verse 5
• (00:02:34) - The minor players in the Bible
• (00:05:12) - The Family Tree of Abram
• (00:13:24) - There Are People Who Will Destroy Your Life
• (00:20:17) - The story of Lot and his decision to go to Canaan
• (00:25:42) - Don't Look Back
• (00:31:14) - Abram and Sarai