Spiritual Guidance of Children

In preparing for a discussion of the spiritual development of children recently, I found myself meditating once again on the story of how Samuel came to be aware of God in his life. There are lessons there for those who would guide children spiritually today.

It begins before his birth. Hannah is in Shiloh rocking back and forth and groaning. Eli, thinking she is drunk, tells her to go to her tent and sober up. She protests that she is praying for a child. Eli assures her God will hear her and she leaves rejoicing.

How do you feel about your child?

Perhaps the first gift to a child’s spirituality is how the parent views her birth. Is the child a burden or a blessing? If we see the story of our child’s coming into our lives as an instance of God’s great providence and overflowing generosity we will be inclined to draw the child close to us with gratitude and awe. The child will experience this appreciation through our loving looks; reassuring, gentle voice; and secure embrace. The core of a strong faith is the emotional experience of trust born of being loved.

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What routines are shaping your child’s spirituality?

When Samuel could travel Hannah brought him to the temple. We gift a child when we make attendance at church, prayer at meals and bedtime, telling Bible stories, and doing kind deeds for others natural and routine. It communicates to the child that faith is part of the warp and woof of life. Religion is caught before it is taught. A young child’s faith grows at this next stage by identifying with her parents’ routines and overhearing the stories and instruction of the larger community of faith.

Do children sense our awe for someone greater than ourselves?

As a young child Samuel served in the sanctuary at Shiloh. One night when he was alone sleeping near the ark of the covenant, he heard a voice calling his name. He ran to Eli to see what he wanted only to discover Eli had not called. When this happened again, Eli perceived it was the Lord who was speaking to Samuel and told him how to respond.

A child will often conflate the parent and God. It is natural that much of our image God draws on those first persons in our lives. Part of the job Eli had was to help Samuel to distinguish God from other authority figures. We have that job as well. We can encourage a child’s own experience of God. One way is to listen to the child talk about their feelings and understandings. Another is by creating times and space for quietness and wonder. This can begin at a very young age.

Are we open to what God teaches us through children?

God speaks a word to Samuel, which he shares with Eli. God can speak to us through our children as well. Robert Coles learned a lot about moral integrity, faith and hope listening to children of poverty and crisis. He found a child living without privilege or power could nevertheless have amazing connection to God and exercise tremendous moral courage. We must not only guide children, but sometimes God speaks to us through them. “And a little child shall lead them.”