12 Oct Conversations of Heaven

A few weeks ago, our church family walked through a great tragedy. A newly married man in our congregation experienced a fatal fall while hiking on his honeymoon on the Hawaiian island of Kawai. In the days before he was found, the members of our church were engaged in persistent and ongoing prayer for him to be found. Our family, including my children, prayed often together for him to be found.

When he was found dead, our hearts were broken. My children remembered Stephen as “such a funny guy – he really made us laugh at the church retreat talent show last year!” My husband served on the worship team with him. Just as we had prayed for him to be found together, we also grieved and processed his death together as a family.

Kids aren’t afraid to ask all the questions that come flooding into their minds in a time of tragedy. And yet, having just lost their grandfather a few months ago and having asked many of the same questions then, this time it seemed they they were quieter somehow.

Due to these difficult losses, we have spent a lot of time talking about Heaven lately. And how both their beloved Papi Tom and now our friend Stephen are in Heaven with Jesus.

Even as believers who have a solid assurance of the hope of Heaven, we may spend very little time mediating on Heaven and eternity. Often it takes something as painful as the passing of a loved one to lift our gaze beyond all the cares of this world and lock the eyes of our hearts upon our eternal home.

Champions of Heaven

Sooner or later, each of our kids will experience the passing of someone they love. My husband and I have found that it can be very helpful to read Scripture and books about Heaven with our children that provide them with a biblical framework for our hope.

I don’t know another author/theologian who has devoted as much time to research and writing about Heaven as Randy Alcorn, who wrote an amazing and thorough book called “Heaven” for adults. I own this book and highly recommend it. In the book, Randy seeks to answer many commonly asked questions about Heaven as well as provide biblical framework on this important subject.

Randy has also written a book called “Heaven for Kids” for school-aged children which is also excellent. A book about Heaven that is great for younger, pre-school aged children is Anne Graham Lotz’s book “Heaven: God’s Promise for Me.” The pictures in this book are just lovely and paint a beautiful picture of the joys that we will experience in Heaven.

Another great resource our family has enjoyed are the Torchlighters Heroes and Heroines of the Faith videos, which have been produced by Voice of the Martyrs. These short, 20-30 minute animated videos provide brief biographies of men and women who lived their lives for the Lord and for the kingdom of heaven. When we watch these videos together as a family, they have provided excellent opportunities to discuss what it can look like to live our lives for God’s kingdom purposes, setting our hearts on what will matter for eternity.

These are just a few resources that have served our family well as we seek to teach our children about eternity and Heaven. How about you? Have you had any good talks with your kids about Heaven? I would love to hear from you!