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October 20, 2025
How to answer kids’ questions about being with Jesus after we die.
Children naturally have questions about heaven. Here are some of those inquiries and answers.
A: Romans 8 says the whole creation groans with a longing for the redemption that will be experienced with the resurrection of God’s children (verses 18-21). What else in the creation suffers besides people? Animals. The passage shows that redemption is not limited to people, but that the whole earth will be made new. This may suggest that animals, which lived, suffered and died on this old earth, will be restored to life in God’s earthly kingdom that is to come. They suffered because of our sin, so their bodies will be freed when we receive our new bodies.
In their questions about heaven children often ask will we have bodies in heaven or will we be ghosts, floating in the clouds?
A: Many children are put at ease regarding their questions about heaven when you explain that we will not be ghosts. No child wants to become a ghost. The Bible says, “We know that when he appears we will be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Jesus in His resurrected body proclaimed that He was not a ghost but that He had actual “flesh and bones” (Luke 24:39).
Christ’s resurrection body was suited for life on earth. As Jesus was raised to come back to live on earth, we, too, will be eventually raised to come back to live on the new earth (Revelation 21:1-3). Teach your child the doctrines of the Resurrection and our eventual transition to life on the new earth, and he will be excited about life after death!
A: Angels and human beings are entirely different creatures (Hebrews 2:5-9). Angels will always be angels and people will always be people. Relocation to heaven includes becoming better humans (Romans 8:23), not nonhumans.
You will be you in heaven, and I will be me. Think about the resurrected Jesus, who did not become someone else. He remained who He was before His resurrection. When John was fishing with some of the other disciples, he saw Jesus on the seashore and said, “It is the Lord!” (John 21:7). So you will still recognize friends and family, and they will recognize you, too.
A: Everything good, enjoyable, refreshing, and exciting comes from God. God is creative, fascinating and anything but boring. Heaven is going to be full of surprises and adventures as we learn more about God and explore His new universe, the restored earth that He has prepared for us. The new earth will have plenty to keep us busy!
A: Think about the food you most enjoy. Maybe your idea of heaven is eating that food for thousands of years. After His resurrection, Jesus asked His disciples for some food and ate a piece of fish in front of them (Luke 24:41-43). He proved that resurrected people can and do eat real food. Other Bible verses say that we will eat at feasts with Jesus in an earthly kingdom.
A: Jesus promised we will. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. . . . Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven” (Luke 6:21, 23). The Bible promises God will wipe away all of our tears (Revelation 21:4). Heaven will be full of joy.
Do you think God ever laughs? In the Bible, God is said to enjoy, love, laugh, take delight and rejoice.
We were made in God’s image, so we have feelings and express them just as God does. Sometimes now we are sad, but in heaven there will not be anything to be sad about. We will all be happy. We will play because God put into us a love for play.
Only God knows for sure what He plans to do. But we know God loves to give good gifts to his children (Matthew 7:9-11). Since animals bring joy to people, God may very well include animals in eternity.
Randy Alcorn is a New York Times best-selling author of more than 50 books which have sold over 11 million copies and been translated into 70 languages. His books include Happiness, Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home. Randy is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Prior to starting EPM, he served as a pastor for 14 years. Randy and his wife, Nanci, reside in Oregon. They have two married daughters and five grandchildren.
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