Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast Episode 015 - Hearing God's Voice
Welcome to the Purposed Parent/Connected Child Podcast
Episode #015 – Hearing God’s Voice
Are you yearning for greater connection with your child? Would you like to parent beyond the moment with eternal perspective? Let’s grow together now with practical tips, scripture, and stories geared to draw your heart to Jesus and guide your child into His arms.
In past episodes of the Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast we have talked about raising our children to be set-apart, preparing them for spiritual warfare, helping them find identity through Christ, and other important issues. Much of what we discuss is rooted by the topic we’ll explore today.
How do we teach our children to listen for and recognize God’s voice?
Every believer wants their children to desireGod. We also want our child to know when they hear Him. This is a quality that must be learned, because they will need this skill throughout their life. We must teach them that although God speaks to each person uniquely, He remains consistent in basic qualities. There are two important truths we must help our child to understand and remember:
1. God convicts, but doesn’t condemn. John 16:13says, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.”
God, in His holiness and loving kindness toward us, will impress us with a sense of guilt or wrong-doing. Our Heavenly Father cannot sin. As believers, we know that the Holy Spirit living within us will not allow us to go against God without some type of conviction pricking us. However, God does not condemn. Condemnation is a tactic used by the devil to pummel us with a pronouncement that we are unfit for God’s use. Condemnation is the place Satan desires us to stay without help or hope so that we do not repent and seek forgiveness, or allow God to cleanse us and move us into service for Him.
2. God is consistent, never contradicting. John 16:7-8says, “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.”
God is Truth. He cannot lie or deceive. However, the world we are a part of is in direct opposition to the Word of God. When God speaks to us, He will never lead us to anything that opposes what His word says. Remember the tactics of the devil in the garden with Adam and Eve? He tricked Eve by taking God’s words, but twisting them enough that confusion reigned. God will never stray from His holy truths and commandments. We can rest in the knowledge that whatever He speaks into our life or however He leads us, it will always be in total alignment with His Word.
Once our children understand that God only guides by truth, holiness, and love, they will be better equipped to navigate this world with confidence that they will be able to recognize God’s voice.
Now that we know how to instruct them in the basic truths on which to measure God’s voice against that of self, world, or Satan, let’s discuss how to prepare them to recognize God.
What are some of the most effective ways to instruct our children to hear and experience fellowship with God daily? I’ll share 9 ways now:
1. Through Scripture – Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Mentoring God though a strong and growing relationship with Jesus and letting our children see us seek God through the Bible encourages them to do the same. When we teach our children to seek and know God through His word, we are training them to trust the Lord, to follow Him, and to recognize Him. The relationship they grow through this method will also build the foundation for a strong prayer life. Together, they will be encouraged to seek their Heavenly Father and to listen for Him daily.
2. Through godly counsel – Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” and Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Again, what we mentor is key. If we know the Lord and are already in or growing a strong walk with Him, we are better equipped to have godly wisdom to impart to our children. We are also more likely to have other godly leaders or influencers in our life who will be well equipped to counsel with our children, if needed. We will also be able to advise our children regarding godly leaders they can trust. Also, the Bible is our main source of wisdom. Again, if they are in the Word, studying the Word, and receiving godly counsel regarding God’s word, it is the absolute best source they can access.
3. Through experiences – There are incredible stories in the Bible where people saw and heard God through experiences. Jonah in the belly of the whale, Moses and the burning bush or at the parting of the Red Sea, Daniel in the lion’s den, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. The stories are miraculous and many. Just as God worked miracles in days past, He is able to perform miraculous feats in our lives today. We do have to beware as we teach our children that we can see and hear God through experiences, however. Experiences are so closely tied to our feelings and emotions, and those are not trustworthy indicators we want to instruct our children to use. Remember the two basic truths we shared in the beginning of the podcast. Bring everything back to the Bible. God never contradicts His word and He never condemns.
4. Through thoughts – Amos 4:13 says, “He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals His thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the LORD God Almighty is his name.” God’s ways are not typically our ways. Through a deepening, humble relationship with God through Jesus as Savior, our thoughts are transformed to become more like His. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
5. Through nature – Romans 1:18-20 says, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Exodus 40:38 says, “So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.”
6. Through visuals – Acts 2:17 says, “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Joel 2:28 says, “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” God has been known to use dreams or a vision actually seen in minds to give guidance or a message. Through Old Testament stories we hear of God giving revelation in this way.
7. Through faith – Romans 10:17 says, “Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Not all who hear will respond to the Lord. When we hear and believe, we receive new life through Christ. God’s word is clear. When we have a close walk and draw nearer to God through faith, we will hear His guidance and direction more clearly. The same is true for our children as they mature their faith.
8. Through peace – Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When we and our children bring anxieties and troubles to God through prayer and faith, hope, and trust, we will receive the perfect peace beyond our understanding.
9. Through His still, small voice - 1 Kings 19:12 says, “After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” God works in very powerful ways, but also in gentle ways that we can be assured come from Him.
Now that we know how to help our children to live with assurance that they can hear God, let’s uncover what might keep them from hearing Him.
Bitterness, jealousy, unforgiveness…the list can go on. Do you understand what I am referring to ? Sin.
Job 42:5 says, “My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You.”
Equipping our children for a life of closeness and holiness to God through Jesus Christ is a challenge bigger than any of us. In our own strength, we are certainly not equipped to enable our children to live for Him. Through faith and trust, we are able to deepen our walk moment by moment so that we are more discerning and knowledgeable about how to mentor Christ to our children.
As our children, draw near to Him so that He will draw nearer to them, the faith they hear and read about becomes real. Their faith becomes individual. It becomes purposed. Their faith becomes life-saving and life-changing.
What if your child says they cannot hear from God, but they want to?
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
It takes time to grow a faith that seeks and hears our Father. Continue to mentor strong and intentional faith for your child. Read God’s word with them, pray with them and for them, ask them to pray for you, study God’s word with them. Successful and maturing faith is a lifestyle. It’s not a Sunday activity or the responsibility of the church. Continue your faith walk and be accessible and loving so that your child sees Jesus in you and desires Him inside himself.
Dear Heavenly Father, Your goodness truly overwhelms us. As we draw nearer to You, Your Word promises us that You will draw nearer to us. Father, we long to carry faith that shines, but the work is hard. In order to have that faith, it must be forged, and the process is intensely hard, it can be scary. We desire that faith for our children, yet it can be so hard to see them suffer, to walk through the hurts and hardships with them. Yet, Your word tells us You are with us, and we know You are with them wherever they go. May we not rescue our children when they are in the fires, but guide them to look Up to You. May we set godly examples in every way. Help us to grow and mature in You, not overlooking the furnace we must be refined in. Life is hard, but You told us it would be. Help us keep the faith and shine Your love and light so that You are made attractive and accessible to our children in ways that please and honor You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Thank you for listening to this podcast. The Purposed Parent/Connected Child podcast is part of the Spark Media Network and can also be found on the Edifi app. Each episode is also available at terrihitt.com, where you can access the episodes housed in one convenient location, receive access to blog posts, read transcripts, and find additional resources designed to mature your walk with Christ and equip you to raise or influence connected children through Him.
God knows that we are not capable of successful parenting on our own. As we rely on Him, releasing doubts and expectations, and humbly bow to His guidance and experience, we find greater clarity in parenting and a wondrous walk with our Creator that will extend to our children and those around us for generations.
I pray this podcast helps you parent with purposeand deepen your connection to Jesus and your children as you intentionally place Christ above culture or self. Allow Him to work through you for true connection that will draw your children to Him and build a maturing relationship with Christ and your child that lasts for eternity.