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We're on Unit 3 of LHTH. We were talking about how God told Abraham where to go and Abraham listened. My son said, "But I can't hear God. He doesn't talk to me. And I can't see him either." I had NO idea what to say. How do I explain to a 3-year-old how God speaks to him? I told him that God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible, and that's how we know more about Him. But what would you guys say?

That is exactly what I would have said!

I agree. I would say that back when Abraham lived, they didn't have a Bible yet, so God spoke directly to people when he wanted to give them a message. Later, the things God said were written down, so we have His words in front of us, and don't need a voice from heaven.

Our children are such concrete thinkers sometimes it's hard to answer these questions. We do tell our children that His word is the best way to listen to know God wants us to hear/learn and that though we don't hear His voice (and not every man or woman of faith in the bible did either) that He sends us The Holy Spirit to minister to our hearts so that we can understand what His will for us is and to help in our understanding and application of His word. In examples of obedience we remind them that God has placed us as an authority and protection for them and that we are passing on the best of our knowledge of God's will to them through discipleship and discipline until the come to a full understanding and faith of their own.

What an awesome opportunity to share with your little one!

For now, at this concrete thinking age, I would show him parts of the Bible where God is speaking to him. For instance, "God says to honor your mother and your father." God tells you to do that because He has given mom and dad what we need to know to raise you to love Him! I would also ask him how he feels inside when he thinks about taking a cookie without permission...or if he gets caught. Role play with him and ask him how he feels in different scenarios. Tell him that the feeling of "guilt" or the feeling that he should not do something that he knows is God's way of talking to him in his heart. My kids always loved this and still tell me sometimes that, "God was talking to their heart."

You girls are amazing! Thanks so much. This is such an opportunity we have to speak to our children's hearts. I am so blessed that these discussions are already happening in Pre-K!!!! Can't imagine what's to come!

What great advice is given here already! I'll just add that I've used the example of the "wind" before. We can't see wind, but we can feel it, and we can see its effect on things. The Lord is that way as well, ever present, full of love and leading we can feel, and we can see His effect on people's lives who believe in Him.

In Christ,
Julie