Want to engage in some relational discipleship with your kids that isn’t too structured or teachy? It can be as simple as asking a good question and actively listening for what God is doing in them. Try using some of the conversation starters below!
Questions to get kids talking about God
And Justice
Ask your children: What kind of courage did you show when you stood up for truth and justice? In what ways did you sense God’s presence with you to help you?
Scripture meditation: Come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him. Hosea 12:6 (NLT)
Main idea: When you feel angry or sad about a wrong being done, you can get moving to change it. Your spiritual strength lies in your actions.
And prayer
Ask your children: Tell about a time when you prayed spontaneously—not at church and not because other people were praying.
Scripture meditation: [God], You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home…. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:2,5 (NLT)
Main idea: God enjoys you, and every conversation the two of you have.
And difficult situations
Ask your children: Describe a time when you were in a situation where only God could help you. What did God do in that moment?
Scripture meditation: Do not be afraid and do not panic. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
Main idea: God stays with you in ugly situations. You can’t see God with your eyes, but God is there with you and you’re not alone. In our troubles, we have God who shares them with us.
And beauty
Ask your children: How do you see God when you look at something beautiful? What meaning does it hold for you?
Scripture meditation: Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Main idea: Some kids experience God when they see beauty in candles, or leaves, or water, or stained glass windows all lit up. These are ways to experience God that don’t use words, and the images you are drawn to often reflect your own inner beliefs of who God is.
Resources
Child-Centered Spirituality by Janet Logan- This book was written for parents, grandparents, or any adult who wants to learn where the kids in their lives are on their spiritual journey and to help them come alongside those kids to help them process through the big questions they are pondering.
Kids & God@Home- If you found the questions in this blog helpful, download this FREE resource!
130 Icebreaker Questions– If you missed last week’s post on 3 simple elements for a solid outreach event, you also missed out on our list of great icebreakers! This FREE resource contains simple conversation starters for all ages!
Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash