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How to Teach Your Children to Recognize God's Voice Through Seeing (Without Weirding Them Out)

Eight-year-old Emma climbed into her mom's lap with tears in her eyes. "Mommy, I had that dream again about Jesus giving me a golden necklace. But then I woke up and it wasn't real. Why does Jesus keep showing me things that aren't really there?"


Her mom, Lisa, felt her heart skip a beat. For weeks, Emma had been sharing vivid dreams, talking about "seeing" Jesus during prayer time, and asking questions like "Why do I see colors when we worship at church?" Lisa had been gently redirecting these conversations, worried they were "too much" for a child Emma's age.


But sitting there, holding her daughter's tender heart, Lisa suddenly realized something profound: What if God was already speaking to Emma, and she just needed someone to help her understand that this was actually a beautiful gift?


That conversation changed everything for their family.



Children Are Natural Receivers


Here's something that might surprise you: children are often more naturally receptive to God's visual communication than adults. Their hearts are pure, their minds aren't cluttered with doubt, and they haven't yet learned to dismiss spiritual experiences as "just imagination."


Jesus Himself said in Matthew 18:3: "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."


Could it be that part of becoming "like little children" means recovering their natural ability to see what God shows us?


Think about it:


  • Children believe easily without needing extensive theological explanations

  • They're comfortable with the unseen world (talking to imaginary friends, seeing monsters, believing in magic)

  • Their analytical minds haven't developed enough to argue with spiritual experiences

  • They live in wonder and expect the impossible to be possible

  • They trust without fear of being deceived or misled


The question isn't whether children can see what God shows them—it's how we, as parents and guardians, can help them steward this gift in healthy, biblical ways.



Signs Your Child Might Be Seeing Spiritually


Before you can help your child, you need to recognize when God might already be speaking to them through their seeing receptor. Here are some common signs:


During Prayer or Worship:


  • "I see Jesus" during prayer times

  • Describing colors or light during worship songs

  • Talking about angels or "light people" during church

  • Drawing pictures of biblical scenes with details they haven't been taught

  • Unusual peace or joy during spiritual activities


In Dreams:


  • Vivid dreams about Jesus, angels, or biblical scenes that they remember clearly

  • Dreams that bring comfort during difficult times

  • Recurring positive dreams with spiritual themes

  • Dreams about deceased Christian relatives bringing messages of love

  • Dreams that seem to answer their prayers or concerns


Daily Life Observations:


  • Seeing God in creation with unusual depth ("God painted that cloud!")

  • Sensing things about people ("That person seems sad, we should pray")

  • Unexpected insights about Bible stories during reading time

  • Prophetic play (acting out biblical scenes with remarkable accuracy)

  • Questions about the spiritual world that go beyond their age level


Important Distinction:


Not every imagination is spiritual vision, but spiritual vision often looks like imagination to adults. The key is paying attention to patterns, fruits, and whether these experiences draw your child closer to Jesus.



Age-Appropriate Ways to Nurture This Gift


Ages 3-6: Foundation Building


At this age, keep it simple and focus on building positive associations with God speaking.


What you can do:


  • "God shows us beautiful things" - Point out sunsets, flowers, butterflies as ways God shows His love

  • "Let's ask Jesus what He thinks" - During prayer, ask simple questions like, "Jesus, what color is Your love?"

  • "Dream prayers" - Before bed: "Jesus, if You want to visit [child's name] in dreams tonight, that would be wonderful!"

  • "Creation walks" - Take walks asking, "What do you think God wants to show us today?"

  • "Picture prayers" - "Close your eyes and see if Jesus shows you anything while we pray"


Simple responses when they share:


  • "That sounds beautiful! What do you think Jesus was showing you?"

  • "I'm so glad Jesus talks to you! He loves you so much."

  • "Let's thank Jesus for that special dream/picture."

  • "What did that make you feel about Jesus?"



Ages 7-11: Understanding and Development


This is the sweet spot for teaching biblical foundations while nurturing their natural receptivity.


What you can do:


  • Teach simple biblical examples: "Remember when God spoke to Samuel when he was young like you?"

  • Create a "God Pictures" journal where they can draw or write what they see during prayer

  • Practice together: "Let's both ask God to show us something and see what happens"

  • Introduce gentle discernment: "When God shows us things, they always make us feel loved and closer to Jesus"

  • Share age-appropriate stories of how God speaks through seeing in Scripture


Family Activities:


  • Bible scene visualization: Read a story and ask, "What do you see in this story?"

  • Worship art time: Play worship music and let them draw what they see or feel

  • Prayer walking: Ask God to show your family how to pray for your neighborhood

  • Creation observation: Look for "God's fingerprints" in nature together



Ages 12-18: Deeper Training and Discipleship


Teenagers can handle more theological depth while still maintaining wonder and receptivity.


What you can do:


  • Study biblical examples together: Joseph, Daniel, Ezekiel, John's Revelation

  • Discuss discernment principles: How to test what they're receiving against Scripture

  • Encourage spiritual journaling with both written and artistic elements

  • Create safe spaces for sharing without judgment or adult interpretation

  • Connect them with godly mentors who understand prophetic gifts


Teen-Friendly Approaches:


  • "God speaks in dreams and visions—let's explore what the Bible says about this"

  • Art and creativity as spiritual expression (prophetic art, worship through creativity)

  • Mission trip preparation through prayer and seeking God's heart for others

  • Future and calling exploration through prayer and spiritual sight

  • Peer group discussions about hearing God's voice in age-appropriate settings



Common Parental Fears (And Why They're Usually Unfounded)


"What if they're just making it up?"


Here's the truth: Children actually struggle more with lying about boring things than exciting spiritual experiences. When a child consistently shares spiritual experiences with genuine emotion and detail, they're usually not lying.


More importantly: Even if some of it is imagination, responding with love and interest creates an environment where real spiritual experiences can flourish.


"What if it's not from God?"


This is wise discernment, not fearful control. Teach your children simple tests:


  • Does it make you feel loved by Jesus?

  • Does it make you want to be closer to God?

  • Does it match what we know about God from the Bible?

  • Does it bring peace or fear?


Children who learn these principles early become discerning adults.


"What if other people think we're weird?"


Remember: Jesus was considered "weird" by religious leaders of His day. Your job isn't to make your child fit into a box that religious culture creates—it's to help them develop an authentic relationship with God.


Focus on:


  • What God thinks rather than what people think

  • Building your child's confidence in hearing from God

  • Creating home as a safe space for spiritual growth

  • Finding like-minded community that celebrates rather than suppresses spiritual gifts


"What if they become spiritually prideful?"


This is actually easy to prevent:


  • Always point back to Jesus as the source of any spiritual experience

  • Emphasize relationship over manifestation ("God loves talking with you!")

  • Teach humility and service as natural fruits of hearing from God

  • Model excitement about God speaking without making it about the child being "special"



Practical Family Practices That Work


Weekly "God Sightings" Dinner Conversations


Every week, go around the table and share:


  • "Where did you see God this week?"

  • "What did God show you in creation?"

  • "Any interesting dreams to share?"

  • "How did you see God's love in our family?"


Monthly Family "Listening Prayers"


Once a month, spend 15-20 minutes in family prayer where everyone:


  • Asks God questions and shares what they sense

  • Prays for each family member and shares any pictures or impressions

  • Seeks God's heart for friends, neighbors, or situations

  • Thanks God for the ways He's been speaking


Bedtime "Dream Invitations"


Make it normal to pray before sleep:

  • "Jesus, if You want to visit [child] in dreams, we welcome You!"

  • "Help [child] remember anything special You want to show them."

  • "Thank You for loving [child] even while they sleep."


Creation-Based Spiritual Formation


Regular activities that combine nature with spiritual sight:


  • "God's Art Gallery" walks looking for beauty that reflects His character

  • Weather worship ("What is God saying through this storm/sunshine?")

  • Garden prayers asking God to show growth in your family like He grows plants

  • Star-gazing conversations about God's bigness and love



What Success Looks Like


You'll know you're succeeding when your children:


  • Feel safe sharing spiritual experiences without fear of judgment

  • Naturally turn to prayer when facing decisions or problems

  • See God's love and character in everyday circumstances

  • Want to grow closer to Jesus rather than feeling forced into spirituality

  • Show fruits of the Spirit as natural outcomes of their relationship with God

  • Become confident in hearing God's voice for themselves


Remember: The goal isn't to raise "super-spiritual" children—it's to help them develop authentic, personal relationships with God that will sustain them for life.



When to Seek Additional Guidance


Reach out to mature spiritual mentors if:


  • Your child experiences spiritual manifestations that cause fear or distress

  • The experiences don't align with the biblical character and nature of God

  • Your child becomes spiritually prideful or manipulative about their experiences

  • You feel overwhelmed or unprepared to guide them

  • Your child expresses interest in spiritual exploration outside of biblical boundaries


Remember: Seeking wisdom is not a sign of failure—it's good parenting.



The Generation God is Raising


Here's something beautiful to consider: God might be preparing to speak to this generation of children in unprecedented ways. Joel 2:28 promises that God will pour out His Spirit on "all people" and that "your sons and daughters will prophesy."


What if your child is part of a generation that will naturally hear God's voice and see His kingdom in ways previous generations only dreamed of?


What if, instead of fearing their spiritual sensitivity, you're meant to nurture it into something beautiful that serves God's purposes for their lifetime?


Your role isn't to control or limit their spiritual experiences—it's to provide biblical foundation, loving guidance, and a safe environment for them to grow into the fullness of their calling.



Start Tonight


If you have children and you've been hesitant about nurturing their spiritual sight, start simple tonight:


  1. At bedtime, ask: "Did you see anything beautiful today that reminded you of God?"

  2. Before sleep, pray: "Jesus, we invite You to speak to [child's name] in any way You choose."

  3. In the morning, ask: "Any special dreams last night?"

  4. During the day, point out: "Look how God painted that sky! What do you think He's saying through those colors?"


Don't overthink it. Don't make it weird. Just create space for God to speak to your child and be ready to celebrate when He does.


Your children are already beloved by God. They're already on His heart. They're already invited into relationship with Him.


The question is: Will you help them recognize His voice when He speaks?

Kommentare


Joy in the Processing, LLC

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USA

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