How Do We Teach Our Children About Angels?

When I was a little girl, I was terrified of the dark. No matter how tired I was, when bedtime came, I did my best to stay awake because I was afraid of the things that lurked in the darkness. Although Mom made sure my bed was warm and cozy and filled with all of my favorite stuffed animals, I could never quite overcome the notion that monsters were hiding beneath the bed and inside of my closet. Then – at school – I began to learn about angels.

Our teacher taught us that God assigns angels to watch over us and protect us from harm. She said that when we are afraid, we should pray and ask God to send His angels to protect us.

She began to share Scripture with us:

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.– Psalm 91:11

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. – Psalm 34:7

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. – Matthew 18:10

From that point on, my bedroom didn’t seem so dark and scary anymore.

We live in a society that’s fascinated by angels. Did you know that a 2016 Gallup poll shows that 72% of Americans believe in angels and 12% are open to the possibility that they exist?

Belief in angels is not limited to adherents of a certain faith. Christians, Jews, Muslims, New Agers and pagans all believe in angels – although each group obviously believes very different things about them!

With so many diverse voices in society potentially influencing our children, it’s more important than ever that we as Christian parents ground our children in biblical truth.

We don’t want our kids deceived by the fanciful claims they hear on television or read in books. We don’t want them to be “carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).

We need to teach our kids to “test all things and hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) when they’re young so that they can more readily discern fact from fiction as they grow into teenagers and young adults.

It’s so easy for children to get caught up in things that are not what they seem – particularly when it comes to angels and the spiritual realm.

Guidelines for Teaching Children About Angels

Here are a few guidelines for discussing angels that helps our kids keep things in their proper biblical perspective:

1. As we share with our children about angels, make sure that God remains the focal point of the discussion. While we want our kids to appreciate the special roles that angels play in God’s kingdom, we also want to ensure that all praise, glory and honor goes to Jesus.

For in Him all things were created: things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. – Colossians 1:16

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!” – Revelation 19:9-10

2. Make sure that our children are basing their knowledge of angels and other spiritual matters solely on the Bible. If they are relying on other sources for their knowledge, teach them to confirm their information against Scripture. Instill in them that it doesn’t matter who the source is or how much they like someone: if what that person says does not align with God’s Word, it is unreliable.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist…. – 1 John 4:1-3

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. – 2 Corinthians 11:14

The Bible contains approximately 300 references to angels in the Old and New Testaments, across 34 books, but don’t worry – you don’t have to memorize them all! Instead, you can use biblically-based story books such as Angels In The Bible For Little Ones by Allia Zobel Nolan to bring the stories of God’s angels to life and help young children understand how the angels interact with mankind.

Angels In The Bible For Little Ones provides our kids with a fascinating look at how Bible heroes and heroines such as Abraham, Daniel and Mary, the mother of Jesus, encountered angels at pivotal moments in their lives, and how God used angels to deliver important messages, deliver His people from harm, and serve as mighty warriors.

You and your kids will delight in the easy-to-understand language that flows throughout the book and the beautiful, brilliant artwork of artist Alida Masari. Your young ones will also derive great joy in holding and handling the soft padded book, which is perfectly sized for little hands!

Books like Angels In The Bible For Little Ones provide a great supplement to the Bible and help our little ones learn that we have nothing to fear under the loving and watchful eye of the God who loves us and sends His angels to minister to us!

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Your Turn

Have you experienced the protection of angels in your life? Do your children find the thought of angels comforting? Please share your thoughts and stories in the comments!