SHOW NOTES: https://parentforward.com/sacredplayseries-sacredimagination/
The spiritual life of children doesn't look like adult faith—it's wilder, more embodied, and deeply imaginative. When my daughter gathered her stuffed animals and announced "Jesus is here and we're going to listen with our hearts," I realized she wasn't just playing—she was creating sacred space in her own intuitive way.
Decades of research by experts like Catherine Stonehouse and Scotty May confirm what many parents have glimpsed: children naturally encounter God through creativity and play long before they can articulate faith in adult language. Their book "Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey" documents countless moments where kids express profound spiritual insights through art, storytelling, and imaginative exploration. One child described feeling Jesus's love while painting; another built a LEGO church and experienced it as genuine worship.
This isn't coincidental. Jesus himself taught primarily through parables and metaphors—he didn't offer three-point sermons but invited listeners into imaginative participation through stories about seeds, coins, and lost sheep. When our children ask if God has wings or what heaven smells like, they're engaging in precisely the kind of imaginative theology Jesus modeled. Eugene Peterson captures this beautifully in "Christ Plays in 10,000 Places," suggesting that divine presence saturates our ordinary world—not just in church but in cardboard castles and backyard adventures.
The challenge for parents is simple but profound: can we set aside our need to control and correct, stepping instead into our children's worlds with reverence and curiosity? This week, try joining your child in play without leading. Ask open-ended questions like "Where do you think God is in this story?" or provide gentle prompts such as "Can you draw what it feels like when God is close?" Your presence—not your perfection—is what creates space for sacred play.
Something beautiful happens when we enter our children's imaginative worlds: we remember what our souls have forgotten. We rediscover wonder, mystery, and a faith that breathes and moves. Join us next week as we explore what gets in the way when play feels hard, and how to gently find our way back to joy. Subscribe now and become part of our community of parents seeking faithful formation, one imaginative step at a time.
Let’s Stay Connected:
- Instagram: @parentforwardpodcast
- Website: www.parentforward.com
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.