Helping Our Kids Learn to Hear From God

As parents, one of the greatest privileges we have is helping our children discover that God isn’t far away or silent, but near, personal, and eager to be part of their everyday lives. And if no one told you, yet... He wants to be intimate with you, too! We lead by example, not ideal.

So often, we reduce faith to religious checkboxes: go to church, say your prayers, read your Bible. I once heard someone share, "Everyone on my cul-de-sac goes to church, but I don't think anyone has a close, personal relationship with God."

Sadly, much of modern Western culture has shaped faith into something transactional—treating Jesus more like a vending machine for our wants than a friend to walk with for a lifetime. The result is a generation of young people (Gen Z and Gen Alpha) who are growing up with less biblical grounding than ever before, and many millennial parents who feel unsure of their own footing—cheering the idea of faith on from the sidelines instead of living it out in the center of their homes.

A church community, daily devotionals, yes, those things are good and important—but if we stop there, our kids can miss the heart of it all. Faith is not an obligation; it’s a relationship. It’s not about what we do for God—it’s about being with Him, hearing from Him, and walking with Him in the details of our everyday lives.

This is what we want our children to grasp: that the Spirit of God is alive and active, and He longs to speak with them—not someday when they’re grown, but right now.

Why Normalizing God’s Voice Matters

Growing up, many of us were taught that hearing from God was something rare or reserved for church leaders. But Jesus made it clear: His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27). That promise wasn’t for a select few—it was for all of His children.

Normalizing the voice of God in our homes creates space for our kids to experience Him in ways that are real and personal. It shifts faith from theory to encounter.

It reminds them that God isn’t just an idea to believe in but a Father who delights in speaking with His kids.

And here’s the truth: our world is messy. We live in a fallen reality where sin has ripple effects—where things often feel unfair, broken, and uncertain. Until heaven, there will always be questions we can’t fully answer. But even in the midst of confusion, there’s an anchor: the steady, loving voice of Jesus.

Helping our kids learn to hear Him now prepares them to navigate both the beauty and the brokenness of life with confidence in His nearness.

A Story From Our Family

One morning, we were driving in the car and asking God what He wanted to share with us that day (something we often do on the way to school). My oldest son spoke up and said, “Mom, I feel like God told me that you’re going to show someone Jesus’ love today.”

To be honest, it felt a little vague at the time. Sweet, but generic. I tucked it in the back of my mind and went about the day as usual.

Later, while out on my morning walk, I suddenly felt a strong nudge from God to stop. I noticed a stranger nearby, and the Holy Spirit made it clear that I was supposed to pray for them. At first, I hesitated—ok, fine, I'll be honest - I ignored it! It felt uncomfortable. But Jesus wouldn't leave me alone. I kept feeling the nudge, and at last, I obeyed. In that simple act, I ended up praying for someone who was desperate for encouragement and needed to be reminded that they were seen, known, and deeply loved by God. Tears streamed down their face. It was a holy moment in the middle of an ordinary day.

It was a divine appointment innocently prophesied by my child. His “generic” word wasn’t generic at all. When I got home, I could hardly wait to tell him. I shared the story, and his face lit up with excitement. He realized that yes—he had heard from God. That encounter wasn’t just encouraging for me; it was a powerful confirmation for him, too.

What This Teaches Our Kids (and Us)

Moments like these remind me why this is so important. Teaching our kids to hear God’s voice:

• Builds confidence in their faith. When they realize God really spoke to them, it shifts their faith from borrowed (ours) to personal (theirs).

• Takes pressure off performance. Hearing God isn’t about “doing it right.” Sometimes it’s a nudge, a thought, a scripture, or a simple phrase. God delights in their childlike attempts to listen.

• Roots them in relationship, not religion. Instead of faith being a set of rules or rituals, it becomes a living friendship.

• Prepares them for real life. When they face brokenness, questions, or hard seasons, they’ll already know that God’s voice is steady, present, and trustworthy.

Practical Ways to Help Kids Hear From God

If you’re wondering how to start, here are a few rhythms we’ve found helpful in our family:

1. Keep It Simple

We don’t use big, intimidating language. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking, “Did anything stand out to you when we prayed?” or “What do you think Jesus might want you to know today?” Maybe they heard a word, or saw a picture... what could the Holy Spirit be telling them through that? Is there a spiritual value or verse that lines up with that?

2. Remove the Pressure

There’s no “right” or “wrong” answer. We remind our kids that God’s voice often sounds like a gentle thought, a verse, a picture, or a sense of peace. It’s okay if they’re learning—that’s the point. We're learning, too.

3. Share Your Own Stories

Kids learn by example. We tell them about moments when we’ve sensed God speaking, nudging, or comforting us. Our vulnerability helps them see that hearing God is normal, not mystical.

4. Celebrate the Small Things

When our kids share something that could be from God—even if it seems small or simple—we affirm it. We celebrate their willingness to listen and encourage them to keep practicing.

5. Create Space

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is slow down. Whether it’s a quiet moment before bed, a pause during family prayer, or a walk outside, we create space for them to listen. God often speaks when we stop rushing long enough to notice. If they don't receive something in the moment, that's ok too. Come back to it another time and always walk away with the truth that God is with us and for us, even when we don't feel it.

The Bigger Picture

Helping our kids hear from God isn’t about raising little prophets or pressuring them into big spiritual moments for the sake of our ego. It’s about cultivating awareness—that God’s Spirit is alive and active, and He loves speaking to His children.

Sometimes it will look like bold words of encouragement. Sometimes it will look like peace in the middle of fear. Sometimes it will look like compassion that bubbles up unexpectedly. However it comes, what matters is that they learn to recognize His voice and respond.

Because at the end of the day, our goal isn’t just to raise kids who know Bible stories. We want to raise kids who know the God of the Bible and operate in it! He is a God who is living, loving, and eager to walk with them in the middle of both the ordinary and extraordinary.

That’s the kind of faith that will carry them into adulthood: not obligation, but relationship. Not silence, but conversation. Not fear, but friendship with the One who has always called them His own.

✨ Parent encouragement: You don’t have to be an expert or “get it right” all the time. God is more excited to speak to your children than you are to help them listen. Your job isn’t to manufacture encounters—it’s to make space and model relationship. He’ll do the rest.

If you’re longing to change that narrative in your family and learn more about developing a lifestyle and culture. of faith together, you can learn more by downloading The Intentional Family app and eCourse now at yourheartcollective.com.