Hello Gino
I found this term of endearment spoken once by Jesus and it is recorded in
John 13:33 KJV
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

34) A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Another passage was written by Paul and it is found in
Galatians 4:19
My little children, of whom I travail in birth [again] until Christ be formed in you,
20) I desire to be present with you now; and to change my voice; for I stand in [doubt] of you. 21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

These next passage are found in 1 John 2-5
Beginning in 1 John 2:1
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:12,13
I write unto you little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
I write unto you fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto to, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father
1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know it is the last time.
1 John 2:28
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1 John 3:7
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and truth.
1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

I believe in all earnest that we who are drawn from the breast and can feed ourselves from the meat of the word of God, are capable of discernment, as to these individuals who profess to speak the word of the Lord.
In most all cases, I will listen, but I am cautious to weigh their words.
God told the Israelites, that, if a prophet spoke words said to be from God himself, and the words they spoke did not come to pass, they did not need to fear, because God did not speak them. God said also that if a prophet spake as if it was from him, and it did come to pass, but, other words did not come to pass by which they spoke, then they did not have to listen to them, nor fear.
God's prophets are 100% right all the time! 
Does God use his word to speak [to] and through the righteous? Absolutely
When I have received a word from the Lord, it is always, HIS word.
Scripture, and verses. I have never heard a voice. The message I receive is due to my prayers, and has been in written form, and has always been the words of the Lord written in the Bible.
Many of these so called prophets, are there to make merchandise of you and me, as I have witnesses from the TV evangelists, Perry Stone, Dr Owuor, Kenneth Copeland, and so many others.
The word prophecy simply stated, means speak the words of God. (our Bible)
We will do well to remain in the pure word of God, because God is not going to speak a [new] word. All we need hear is that which God spake in his written word. Jesus said "It Is Finished" there is nothing more forth coming .
God has drawn my attention to scripture for answers to prayer, and revelation.
The Book is open; where for Daniel, God said the Book was closed.
It was not Daniel's time to know, but it is our time to know. We who have ears to hear, and eyes to see. I can speak truthfully, that the hour of Temptation is very near.

God Bless You

KML