As we take a closer look at what God has prepared for those who love Him, we’re anticipating that the four questions we’ll address this week at Kids Club will really just be a place for conversations to start. One of the best things about working with children is their curiosity and eagerness to ask questions. Below are a few FAQ questions children often have about heaven along with some responses that are developmentally appropriate and theologically sound. If other questions arise throughout the week, feel free to post them in the comment section or on our Facebook page. We’ll try to respond quickly and keep the conversation going.
*Please note that we relied heavily on Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven for Kids and Someday Heaven by Larry Libby and Wayne McLoughlin. Both are available in our Kids Club Bookstore.
Will I be an angel?
Many people think that everyone who goes to heaven gets a halo and a harp and sits on a cloud. This isn’t what the Bible teaches, though. Both angels and humans are intelligent and created to serve God, but people and angels are very different. When you go to heaven, you won’t be an angel. You’ll be yourself.
Where is heaven?
Younger Child Answer: The present heaven where angels live and where people go as soon as they die is up. Psalm 33:13-14, From heaven the LORD looks down and sees everyone. From his throne he watches all those who live on earth. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He went up until he disappeared.
Older Child Answer: The Bible also tells us that when Jesus returns, the earth will be made new. The coolest thing about it is that God will live there with us too.
How long does it take to get to heaven?
It might not take longer than closing your eyes on earth. When Jesus was on the cross, two men were next to him. One of the men turned and begged Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your kingdom!” Jesus answered him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23)
Will it always be light in heaven?
Our forever home won’t need the sun or the moon. God will be all the light we will ever need. There will be no darkness to be afraid of in heaven.
Will everyone go to heaven?
The Bible says that God wants everyone to come live in his forever home, but the very sad truth is that because of sin no one deserves to go to heaven. We can only have our sins forgiven and a forever home in heaven by trusting in Jesus and what He has done on the cross for us. People who don’t trust in Jesus will not not be with him in heaven, which is the saddest, hardest, most heart-breaking thing we can ever think about. That’s why it’s important to tell people the good news about Jesus.
Will we have real bodies in heaven?
The Bible tells us that when Jesus returns, God will put back together the bodies of His people and make them into strong, beautiful, and healthy bodies. Our bodies will be like Jesus’ after he rose from the dead (Philippians 3:21/Luke 24:39).
Will I be old or young in heaven?
The Bible isn’t clear about whether or not we will be the same age in heaven as we were when we died. This is what we do know, the Bible says that the bodies we have on Earth aren’t the kind that live forever. They wear out. We need to trade them in for new ones. Our new bodies won’t get hurt. They will be able to run without getting tired. We won’t need glasses. We won’t ever get sick. We will never die again.
Will I be able to fly?
When Jesus came back to life, he had a new body that could do some incredible things. He could appear suddenly in a locked room. He could disappear. When He ascended into heaven, he went up into the air. The Bible tells us that our new bodies will be like his, so we may be able to do special things that our bodies can’t do now. Jesus was both man and God, so some of the special things He could do might be different than what we will be able to do. The truth is that we don’t know all of the amazing things that God has planned for us.
Will we eat and drink?
Yes. After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus ate a meal with his disciples. He proved that people who had been resurrected can and do eat real food. Other parts of the Bible talk about feasting in the Kingdom of God.
Will we be allowed to have or do what we want?
If you desire for something in heaven, it will be there. That’s because our new hearts will desire all the right things. Plus, in heaven, everything that we want will be good and the bad things we fought against on Earth won’t be around. We can look forward to enjoying many things without any of the worries we have on earth.
Will we see our pets in heaven?
God created animals. Can you imagine what a good time he must have had doing so? After God created all the animals in the world, he said, “It is good.” But because of sin, death entered the world. As a result, all people and all animals have to die. The Bible says that after death people live forever, but the Bible doesn’t say if animals live forever. If they do, God decided not to tell us.
