Plus, key Bible verses to teach kids about Heaven

I love it when people tell a story about a place I’ve already visited. I’m able to picture the details, the landscape, and the architecture as though I’m there. I’ve never been to Heaven, so it’s difficult to picture exactly what it’s like — much less describe it.. How, then, do we teach our kids about Heaven if we’ve never experienced it? When we turn to the Scriptures and read how Jesus and the prophets described this mysterious place, we can let the imaginations of our kids kick in to paint the picture.

Let’s look in the Bible and see what nuggets we can find to teach our kids about Heaven. I’ve also included some practical activities to drive home what the Scriptures say.

Is Heaven the same as the illustrations we’ve been fed depicting it as a spot in the clouds with long haired men with wings playing harps or is there so much more to it?

Revelation

Revelation 1 tells us that the apostle John received a revelation from Jesus of what is to come. Jesus spoke to him in Revelation 1:19 telling him to write these things down. There is a lot of mystery and intrigue that comes from reading this book, but it does reveal a few things:

Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” — Revelation 21:1-4

Teach Kids about Heaven Activity 1:

Let’s ask our kids to imagine a time when they felt so sad that they cried. How did they feel? In Heaven, there will be none of that! No crying, no pain, and no tears!

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day – and there will be no night there. — Revelation 21:21-25

Teach Kids about Heaven Activity 2:

Kids can close their eyes as you read this verse. Ask them to imagine a place that never gets dark. God’s glory is so bright that it stays light all the time. Have them open their eyes and paint or draw a picture depicting this verse.

Philippians

The Bible is very clear that if we accept Jesus into our hearts that we will spend forever with Him. What an amazing promise! Paul reminds us of where we belong and the transforming power of Jesus in the book he wrote to the Philippians.

But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. — Philippians 3:20-21

Teach Kids about Heaven Activity 3:

Help your kids understand the difference between a lowly body and a glorious body. Then have them describe what their glorious body would look like. Give them clay or play dough and let them illustrate what they are describing.

Psalms

Since our citizenship is in Heaven, we will spend eternity with Jesus and the Psalms tell us what it is like to be in Jesus’ presence.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. — Psalm 16:11

Teach Kids about Heaven Activity 4:

Ask your kids to tell you about a moment where they experienced so much fun. Have them describe the feelings they felt in that moment. Tell them that’s what they will feel in Heaven, because it’s the opposite of boring!

John

I love the process of preparing for something whether it be a special event, a birthday, or simply a dinner with friends. I think preparing well speaks to someone’s value. I love that Jesus says that He is going to prepare a room for us in His Father’s house which is in Heaven.

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. — John 14:2-4

Teach Kids about Heaven Activity 5:

After reading this scripture, give your kids a pencil and paper and ask them, “What will your room that Jesus is going to prepare for you look like?”

There are many more Scriptures to explore that talk about what Heaven will be like. Reading what the Bible says and using our imagination gives us a glimpse of what awaits us in this glorious place.

Another way to provoke kid’s imaginations is by reading I Can Only Imagine by Christian recording artist and MercyMe’s lead singer, Bart Millard, based on his incredibly popular song. This sweet board book with its playful illustrations asks questions that many kids have about God and Heaven like, “Does God also like extra syrup on His pancakes?” It’s a sweet book that parents and kids can read and discuss together, and I highly encourage you to play the song after you read the book (and don’t miss the adult version of the book too!)

Your Turn

How do you explain to your kids what Heaven is like?

Take a look inside…

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Plus…

Check out BibleForce: The First Heroes Bible and let your children discover the heroes of the Bible, now available for pre-order.

Don’t miss the FREE interactive app available to download once you pre-order.