God spoke to this boy

Reflection

Accounts of children hearing from God or having vivid spiritual experiences can be met with both wonder and caution, and rightly so. Scripture itself contains a notable example in young Samuel, who heard God's voice in the night before he even recognised who was speaking, guided by the older priest Eli towards discernment. Christian tradition takes such experiences seriously without accepting every claim uncritically, testing them against scripture and the wisdom of the wider church community. God is certainly not limited by age or status, and the Bible consistently shows him speaking through unlikely and unexpected people. What matters most is not the drama of an experience but whether it bears fruit consistent with the character of Christ and points people towards greater faith, humility, and love.

Questions to sit with

• How do you personally test unusual spiritual experiences against scripture?
• What can Samuel's story teach you about listening for God's voice?
• Who in your life helps you discern what is genuinely from God?

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