The Oak Life Journal
Mar | Apr 2024
By Cameron Talbot
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3 minute read
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Step One: Create a Space
In time, location, and atmosphere, create a space. All three of those aspects matter in space creation. A consistent time will teach positive habits, and demonstrate that our days and time spent therein should bend towards the Father. Location brings predictability and felt safety, as children find their favorite chair in your prayer area, or are tucked in under the covers of a safe bed. And finally, atmosphere means paying attention to the sensory experience of the room and asking critically if the space lends itself towards quiet reflection and familial relationships.
Step Two: Ask good questions
Helping our children to ask God a simple question is a great way to facilitate the time. These should be simple, age-appropriate questions that allow the Father to convey very real truths. For example, “How was your day, God” gives Him the opportunity to show Himself as personable. “What do you think of me” allows Him to establish righteous identity. “What’s your favorite animal” gives Him the space to be silly and affectionate towards your children.
Step Three: Do it together
Once you have prompted a prayer time question, you must all pray together. Adults as well! Ask your question together, and then hold silence together for an age-appropriate amount of time just to listen. When your children see you listening, and hear you share what you’ve heard from the Father, it will instruct and embolden them to do the same.
This also, in addition to reading scripture together, helps children learn from you what the voice of God sounds like. We all have many voices in our heads trying to say many things. Which one is God? As the adult who (hopefully) has a deeper understanding of God’s nature, you have practice ignoring the voices that are clearly contradictory to His truths. Your children should in turn learn to do the same by listening to what you have heard from God.
Step Four: Listen and affirm
Ask them if they can share what they heard from God! Listen excitedly and attentively. Unless what they “heard” is clearly conflicting with scripture, do not try to correct them. Kids might hear things from God that we think are silly. This is often because God likes to be silly with his kids. Affirm and congratulate them on making a connection with their creator.
Step Five: Be consistent, Have fun
Do it often; keep it light. If you have little ones, keeping it light and fun might mean only taking 5 minutes together, instead of the 30 minutes you’d prefer. There’s nothing wrong with that! When we remember that “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever,” it should break down performative or outcome-driven encounters. Relax. Have fun with your kids. And over consistent time, they will learn to hear the voice of God for themselves.
And that Holy connection will be what keeps them, guides them and heals them long after they leave your home.
Cameron Talbot
Founder of Oak Life, he has been working alongside children's homes since 2015. His passion is to learn and share the tools to help heal children of abandonment. Sustainable alternative care. TBRI® Practitioner. Proud husband and father.
Cameron Talbot
Founder of Oak Life, he has been working alongside children's homes since 2015. His passion is to learn and share the tools to help heal children of abandonment. Sustainable alternative care. TBRI® Practitioner. Proud husband and father.
