Dear Parents,
In Part 1, we explored some of the foundational questions kids ask about God, Jesus, and salvation. Now, we turn to another set of questions that often come up—questions about pain, heaven, and death. These topics can feel heavy, but they’re also full of hope and wonder when viewed through the lens of Scripture.
Children are naturally curious about what happens after we die, what heaven is like, and why bad things happen. These are not just theological questions—they’re deeply personal ones. And when your child asks them, it’s a chance to speak truth into their heart in a way that will stay with them for life.
Let’s walk through these questions together.
Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Suffering is one of the hardest things to understand. When someone we love is hurting, or when we go through something painful ourselves, it’s easy to wonder, “Why would God let this happen?”
The Bible tells us that God didn’t create the world with suffering in it. Everything was perfect at first. But when people chose to sin, the world changed. Pain, sickness, and sadness entered the world because of sin. That doesn’t mean every time we suffer it’s because we did something wrong—but it does mean we live in a world that’s broken.
But here’s the amazing part: God didn’t leave us in our suffering. He sent Jesus, who also suffered. He was hurt, rejected, and even died on a cross. So when we suffer, we can know that Jesus understands. He’s been there.
And God promises that He can use our suffering for good. Sometimes it helps us grow stronger, or helps us care more about others. Sometimes it helps us trust God more. And one day, God will fix everything. He’ll wipe away every tear, and there will be no more pain.
So when you’re hurting, you can talk to God. He’s listening. And He’s working, even when we don’t see it.
What Is Heaven Like?
Heaven is one of the most exciting things to talk about! It’s the place where God lives, and where people who love Him go when they die.
The Bible says heaven is full of joy, peace, and beauty. There’s no pain, no crying, and no sickness. It’s a place where everything is right. Imagine the happiest day you’ve ever had—heaven is even better than that, and it never ends!
In heaven, we’ll be with Jesus. We’ll see Him face to face. We’ll also see people we love who believed in Him. And we’ll get new, perfect bodies that never get tired or sick.
But heaven isn’t just floating on clouds or playing harps. The Bible says there will be singing, worship, and even work to do—good work that brings joy. One day, Jesus will come back and make a brand-new heaven and earth, where we’ll live with Him forever.
So when you think about heaven, think about being with God, being full of joy, and never having to say goodbye again.
What Happens When We Die?
Death can feel scary, especially when we don’t understand it. But the Bible gives us hope and peace about what happens when we die.
When someone who believes in Jesus dies, their spirit goes to be with God right away. Their body stays here for a while, but the real “them”—their soul—goes to heaven. It’s like a bird flying out of its cage. They’re free and with Jesus.
The Bible says, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). That means we don’t have to wait a long time to be with God. It happens right away.
And here’s something even more amazing: One day, Jesus will come back to earth. When He does, He’ll raise the bodies of everyone who believed in Him and give them new, perfect bodies. Then we’ll live with Him forever in a world with no more death.
So if someone you love has died and they knew Jesus, you can be sure they’re safe with Him. And if you believe in Jesus too, you’ll see them again.
What Does the Bible Say About Hell?
Hell is a hard topic, but it’s important to understand. The Bible says that hell is a real place, just like heaven. But it’s not a place of joy—it’s a place of separation from God.
God doesn’t want anyone to go to hell. He loves everyone and wants all people to be saved. That’s why He sent Jesus—to take the punishment for our sins so we wouldn’t have to.
But God also gives us a choice. If someone says “no” to God and doesn’t want to be with Him, God won’t force them. Hell is the result of that choice. It’s a place without God’s love, peace, or light.
The Bible says hell is forever, just like heaven is. That’s why it’s so important to tell others about Jesus. He is the only way to be saved and to live forever with God.
Even though hell is real, we don’t have to be afraid if we trust in Jesus. He promises to save everyone who comes to Him. And He will never turn anyone away.
