He Still Speaks to Kidsنموونە

Creating Environments for Kids to Hear God—Wayne Drain

Children develop best in safe environments where they are wanted. Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel is an example of a loving parent who intentionally created environments to help her child learn to hear from God and see his destiny released. Hannah and her husband, Elkanah, lived a lifestyle of offering sacrifices of worship to God in the temple year after year. Perhaps the most vital thing in Hannah’s life was her value of God’s presence. In time, when she was blessed with baby Samuel, she obeyed what she had vowed before his conception. Hannah respected God-ordained authority so much that she could walk in partnership with an imperfect priest named Eli with something as important as training her child to learn the ways of God. In doing these things, Hannah created environments where little Samuel could experience innocence, wonder, and trust as he learned how to hear from God.

Hannah cultivated an environment of prayer. This mother did not just “say her prayers”—she talked to God. Hannah pressed through tears of disappointment into hope as she prayed, fasted, and listened for God’s voice. When Eli blessed her to have what she had asked God for, she received it as a word from God and was full of joy! Teaching children to pray when they are young can lead to a life of prayer.

Hannah also modeled an environment of worship. She regularly went with her husband to worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord. First, Samuel 1:19 mentions, “They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord” (ESV). We know from 1 Samuel 2:21 that “the boy Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord” (ESV). And 1 Samuel 3:3 tells us that Samuel even slept near God’s presence, “where the ark of God was” (ESV). From his dedication through his years of being mentored by his mom and Eli, the priest, Samuel lived in an environment of worship.

Do your best to see that your child grows up in an environment of God’s presence. Sing songs of praise around your children. Play worship music in your car and at home. Let your children see you worshipping God whether you have a good voice or not! Help them understand that worship is more than the songs we sing. Worship is the lifestyle we live.

Watch for teaching moments. These special moments may come when you see your child responding to God in worship, whether at home, in your car, or your church community. You might hear questions or observe tears. Your child might spontaneously kneel or raise their hands to express over-the-top joy. When you see these or other indicators, ask them later what they were sensing, thinking, or feeling when they did that. Then listen! Whenever you can, affirm that they indeed were sensing God’s presence.

Creating an environment of worship is about helping children learn to worship God from their hearts as they discover the reality of His presence. Being in God’s presence will transform your children. God will use transformed children to transform those people and places He sends them to serve for His glory.