My new children's book Heaven on Earth: When God Makes Everything New, which I wrote with my friend Lisa Tawn Bergren, released yesterday on August 11. It's beautifully illustrated by James Bernardin, and geared towards children ages 3-7.
Scripture says, “We wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell” (2 Peter 3:13). Unfortunately, many children are not looking forward to this because they have not been taught what the Bible says about Heaven.
Many children are put at ease about Heaven when parents 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 will 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 raised to come back to live on earth (1 Thessalonians 4:14; Revelation 21:1-3). Teach your children the doctrines of the resurrection and the New Earth, and they will be excited about life after death!
Kids need to know that everything good, enjoyable, refreshing, and exciting comes from God. Jesus 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.
My prayer is that Heaven on Earth will assist parents in helping their children get excited about life on the New Earth!
