Teach children That Heaven Is Home

Home.

The word is so full of emotion. Positive or negative, it is the familiar place where we live.

Home can change with time, just as our bodies do. Some change is planned, some unplanned. Some exciting, some disappointing.

God wants us to know that our real home is not a structure—be it a luxury house or tent.

Home is a place with him, where he lives with us.

Now and forever.

I think children can connect their home with God to their earthly home. Their home is all they have ever known. Home is the place where they belong. It is not perfect, but it is familiar. It is a connection we can use when we teach children that the familiarity of home is similar to being with God. 

In a conversation with a child, ask them what they love about being home. Then tell them that they will feel even more at home in Heaven than they do in their own home right now. It is exciting also for children to know that the things they do not like about home—arguing, danger, discomfort, or boredom—will not be in Heaven. In Heaven, there is no pain, sorrow, or death. There is nothing that makes us feel afraid or alone.

As we teach our children the bliss of what is to come, God also wants us to let them know that he is with us every minute of every day. We live in the Kingdom of God when he brings us to faith—Jesus as our Savior.

By reading Bible stories to children and sharing who Jesus is and what he did to save them, they will receive the promises from their Father right now. By baptizing children, they can receive the Holy Spirit who assures them they are God’s children. Children can also talk to God right now as we pray with them. Encourage them to do so. 

A Daily Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I am looking forward to living with you and all the ones who in are in my heart in heaven. For those scattered throughout this Earth living in joy or agony—those who are not home yet—give me your heart of love for them so I can be your voice and your touch to share your message of salvation. Give families that are comfortable and those that are experiencing strife hope in your Son, our Savior, Jesus alone. Amen.