When is a good age to start telling your children about hell?

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

first, make sure they know the good news of the mercy, goodness and love God has extended to them as free gifts because of the sacrifice Jesus made for them.

as has been said before, many many people see missing hell as the reason to 'become a Christian', but this is like paying off the local mobster so he won't break the windows in your storefront - the truth is that while missing hell is an important benefit of receiving spiritual rebirth, the purpose of spiritual rebirth is to bring us to a point where we can seek to know God in an intimate way without fear of judgment and punishment - Jesus defined 'life eternal' as 'knowing God' John 17:3.

as far as hell is concerned, it won't be the fire or the loud-mouthed little demons that make hell so bad. God is love, and love casts out fear; fear has torment (1John 4:18). what sends people to hell is not their wrong actions, as Jesus has already paid the price for wrong actions for the whole world - past, present and future (1John 2:2) - what sends people to hell is rejecting God; hell is the only place where this choice can be honored. God has given people free will to choose to know Him or to reject Him; if one rejects God, one rejects Love; and where there is no love, fear is perfected - the torment of hell is perfect fear.

fear is a weapon of the devil; over and over again God has told us in the Bible to 'fear not; neither be afraid'. major on the benefits of becoming a new creature through knowing God, and when your child hears the 'fear of hell' message, they'll remember what you've taught them about the goodness of God, and focus on that instead of the fear of hell.

 

[Publius]

first, make sure they know the good news of the mercy...

Why do they need to know about God's mercy. I thought God was love, isn't He?

If mercy is the temperance of justice? Then wouldn't that tell us that God is also just? Where does God's justice figure into this?

as has been said before, many many people see missing hell as the reason to 'become a Christian', but this is like paying off the local mobster so he won't break the windows in your storefront

Swing and a miss!

what sends people to hell is not their wrong actions, as Jesus has already paid the price for wrong actions for the whole world - past, present and future (1John 2:2)

OK, first of all, 1 John 2:2 doesn't say this. John is writing to Christians, not to the unregenerate.

Second, if Jesus has already paid the price for the sin of the unregenerate, then why do they still go to Hell?

what sends people to hell is rejecting God

I see. So, in your version of Christianity, people go to Hell because God's feelings are hurt, and not because of punishment for their sin, as the Bible says?

God has given people free will to choose to know Him or to reject Him

Then why did Jesus say He chooses those who will come to Him?

fear is a weapon of the devil; over and over again God has told us in the Bible to 'fear not; neither be afraid'. major on the benefits of becoming a new creature through knowing God, and when your child hears the 'fear of hell' message, they'll remember what you've taught them about the goodness of God, and focus on that instead of the fear of hell.

So, should we fear God?

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

Why do they need to know about God's mercy. I thought God was love, isn't He?

If mercy is the temperance of justice? Then wouldn't that tell us that God is also just? Where does God's justice figure into this?

Swing and a miss!

OK, first of all, 1 John 2:2 doesn't say this. John is writing to Christians, not to the unregenerate.

Second, if Jesus has already paid the price for the sin of the unregenerate, then why do they still go to Hell?

I see. So, in your version of Christianity, people go to Hell because God's feelings are hurt, and not because of punishment for their sin, as the Bible says?

Then why did Jesus say He chooses those who will come to Him?

So, should we fear God?

by the time a child learns right from wrong, they know that they have done wrong in the past and that they deserve punishment - mercy is how they avoid punishment; mercy is an act of Love

God's justice figures into this through Jesus, our substitute.

the mobster says 'pay me or i'll break your window'; does God say 'give me your life or i'll send you to hell'?

the 'whole world' in 1John 2:2 would include everyone (that's what the word 'whole' means, 'excluding nothing')

people go to hell by rejecting a relationship with God based solely on His goodness through Jesus; not through their own unrighteousness.

people go to hell because God has given them the right to choose to reject Him, and this is the only place reserved for those who reject God.

God is smarter than we are; He knows the end from the beginning; this doesn't mean we don't have free will. btw - Jesus said that only those drawn by the Father come to Him John 6:44

Proverbs 8:13 KJVR
(13) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

please include scriptures to support your points in your reply



people go to hell because they reject a personal relationship with God based solely on the righteousness of a substitute - Jesus.

 

[Avniel]

Depends on the child

 

[Publius]

by the time a child learns right from wrong, they know that they have done wrong in the past and that they deserve punishment

How do they know? And if all you tell them is that God is this kindly, grandfatherly figure in the sky, how will they know that their sin makes them an enemy of God?

mercy is how they avoid punishment

What punishment? I thought God loves us.

God's justice figures into this through Jesus, our substitute.

How?

does God say 'give me your life or i'll send you to hell'?

He says that we must repent or we will go to Hell.

the 'whole world' in 1John 2:2 would include everyone (that's what the word 'whole' means, 'excluding nothing')

I see. You realize that Universalism has historically been condemned by the Church as heresy, right?

people go to hell by rejecting a relationship with God based solely on His goodness through Jesus; not through their own unrighteousness.

Sorry, but I have to go with the Bible on this one.

people go to hell because God has given them the right to choose to reject Him

Then why does the Bible say they go to Hell as punishment for their sin?

, and this is the only place reserved for those who reject God.

Jesus said that only those drawn by the Father come to Him John 6:44

Good. Thank you for admitting that your previous claim was wrong.

please include scriptures to support your points in your reply

You first. You're the one claiming that Christ died to forgive all men. You're the one claiming that men have free will to come to Christ. You're the one claiming that God sends people to Hell for rejecting Him (contradicting your claim that Christ died for everybody's sins).

Where is your scripture for any of these things?

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

i don't mind helping you to understand what i said; but not to prove that i'm right and you're wrong; but to find the Truth. what i will not do is discuss what you claim that i meant by what i said. if you want to focus on finding Truth, i'll be glad to join with you in that effort; if you want to focus on finding fault, you'll do so without further participation on my part.

my intent was to answer the OP's request for help, not argue with you or anyone else. if you would like to help this person, please post a reply that addresses the original question rather than one that criticizes someone else's best effort to help.

btw - froward means 'willfully contrary'

 

[seeingeyes]

I see. You realize that Universalism has historically been condemned by the Church as heresy, right?

Just wanted to interject that this statement is not, in fact, true. Here's a thread on that if you are interested: Universalism is Heresy

 

[Publius]

Just wanted to interject that this statement is not, in fact, true. Here's a thread on that if you are interested: Universalism is Heresy

Thank you for offering your opinion. Unfortunately, though, history and scripture are what they are and supercede your opinion.

 

[Publius]

i don't mind helping you to understand what i said

I already understand what you said. I want you to explain why you believe it's consistent with Biblical teaching.

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

How do they know? And if all you tell them is that God is this kindly, grandfatherly figure in the sky, how will they know that their sin makes them an enemy of God?



What punishment? I thought God loves us.



How?



He says that we must repent or we will go to Hell.



I see. You realize that Universalism has historically been condemned by the Church as heresy, right?



Sorry, but I have to go with the Bible on this one.



Then why does the Bible say they go to Hell as punishment for their sin?

, and this is the only place reserved for those who reject God.



Good. Thank you for admitting that your previous claim was wrong.



You first. You're the one claiming that Christ died to forgive all men. You're the one claiming that men have free will to come to Christ. You're the one claiming that God sends people to Hell for rejecting Him (contradicting your claim that Christ died for everybody's sins).

Where is your scripture for any of these things?

Romans 1:18-21 makes it clear that everyone comes to know the difference between right and wrong, and that there is a punishment for wrong. your translation of what i said is invalid; only when you ask me about what i said (not what you think i meant), will i respond

Jesus paid the price of the sins (wrong actions) of the whole world (1John 2:2), satisfying God's judgment and punishment of wrong actions. what soever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23); faith is believing God (Romans 4:20), therefore whatsoever is not of believing God is sin - sin is not believing God. sins are the birth or manifestation of the conception of not believing God - the thief steals because he does not believe God's promises of provision for example. if i refuse to believe that i need to claim Jesus as my substitute as the payment for my sin (unbelief), then i can not receive the payment for my sins (wrong actions that result from my unbelief), even though that payment has been made - however the fact remains that the payment has been made by Jesus and accepted by God (1John 2:2); therefore what sends people to hell is not their sins (wrong actions) but their unbelief that this is the only way they can know God - this is the 'sin unto death' (1John 5:16). God is His word (John 1:1), so to reject God's word (unbelief) is to reject God.

where does scripture specifically say that "we must repent or we will go to hell"? does it not instead say that if we believe on Jesus we will have eternal life (John 3:16)?

let's stick to terminology found in God's word directly - 'universalism' is something a child would find hard to understand (Mark 10:15) so it doesn't help the with the OP's question

please share the specific scriptures from the Bible that you refer to

when i see from scripture that i'm wrong you'll see me quick to change - i don't know what you mean by 'admitting that my previous claim was wrong' - please explain

your turn now; where are the scriptures that you stand on for your beliefs?

 

[Publius]

Romans 1:18-21 makes it clear that everyone comes to know the difference between right and wrong, and that there is a punishment for wrong. your translation of what i said is invalid; only when you ask me about what i said (not what you think i meant), will i respond

Jesus paid the price of the sins (wrong actions) of the whole world (1John 2:2), satisfying God's judgment and punishment of wrong actions. what soever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23); faith is believing God (Romans 4:20), therefore whatsoever is not of believing God is sin - sin is not believing God. sins are the birth or manifestation of the conception of not believing God - the thief steals because he does not believe God's promises of provision for example. if i refuse to believe that i need to claim Jesus as my substitute as the payment for my sin (unbelief), then i can not receive the payment for my sins (wrong actions that result from my unbelief), even though that payment has been made - however the fact remains that the payment has been made by Jesus and accepted by God (1John 2:2); therefore what sends people to hell is not their sins (wrong actions) but their unbelief that this is the only way they can know God - this is the 'sin unto death' (1John 5:16). God is His word (John 1:1), so to reject God's word (unbelief) is to reject God.

Wow. I feel like I just stepped off the Tilt-A-Whirl at the fair.

 

[seeingeyes]

Thank you for offering your opinion. Unfortunately, though, history and scripture are what they are and supercede your opinion.

Only if you ignore history and scripture. No need to be rude.

At any rate, we can't debate here in Advice. Have to head to Theology for that.

 

[CoFrye]

Hell is a very real thing. Although, what exactly Hell is , is left to interpretation. If you read Revelations you realize that the Bible says that Hell and Death are thrown into the lake of fire.

What happens is we as a people have added in, over time, the secular belief about what the underworld ( hell) might be. So in the end we are not promised exactly what will happen when we die, except for the fact that if we die as unbelievers we will not have eternal life with Christ.

So the real answer to your rather facetious and almost "troll" like question is .. From the moment of understanding we should teach our children that the only way to live is with Christ.

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

Wow. I feel like I just stepped off the Tilt-A-Whirl at the fair.

seeing the Truth can have that effect

as you prepare your scripture-based reply, i hope you'll think carefully about this; fear binds faith, even fear of hell or fear (as in being afreaid of judgement and punishment) of God. the Good news of the gospel is made clear by the heavenly host's declaration at Jesus' birth:

Luke 2:13-14 KJVR
(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
(14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

good will toward men from God

the Bible interprets itself; and the 'fear of God' refers to loving reverence, to yeilding to God's wisdom by hating evil as He does. evil includes much more than breaking rules; it includes everything that is not good - including being afraid.

even a small child knows that fear is not good; only God's goodness causes people people to change; even the very young

Romans 2:1-11 KJVR
(1) Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
(2) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
(3) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
(4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
(5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
(11) For there is no respect of persons with God. (emphasis added)

 

[utopiaticdill]

Let your children find their religion on their own. That is whats wrong with most of society now a days are our children being born into religions and deprived on a chance to believe what they want. Keep it real and not closed to the bible.

 

[joey_downunder]

Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

 

[Treasurer]

Isaiah 7

10 Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.[e]”
12 But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.”
13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? 14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin[f] will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us&#8217. 15 By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt[g] and honey. 16 For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.

Judaism 101: Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation

I found this interesting. A Bar Mitzvah deals with coming of age, dealing with the commandments of God. Isaiah's prophecy concerning the Messiah, a coming of age.

Take from this what you will. Kids always have a way of asking questions, they know to ask. Perhaps you could do scripture studies with your children. As you study together this topic will eventually come up. Believe it or not my mom actually taught me many subjects thru scriptures (including the birds and bee's).

May Yahshua be with you on your journey.

 

[Ultima4257]

Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Yeah, except most peope read that as "Scare the hell out of your kids while they are young." That way they will blindly follow all the things they are taught and never think for themselves."

 

[Sketcher]

My folks broke it to me when I was in the high single digits I believe, but they didn't get dramatic about it. I turned out alright.

 

[miamited]

Hello,

My question is at what age do we start telling our kids they are going to burn in hell unless they repent. Since we are all born into sinful nature should we start as soon as they are born, or should we wait a year or two? Also, should we describe hell in vivid detail at first like you will continually be burned and gnaw on your tongue from the pain, worms will eat your flesh and they will never die, or should we tone it down to make it more age appropriate, although I am not sure how you would do that?

Hi ultima,

I agree with publius that you are mocking. However, that's ok because I understand that at one time in my life I was just like you. I was also separated from the One who created me with no understanding of His plan or purpose and chided believers. But I know that God is merciful and forgives those indiscretions when we do come to know and understand the truth. God is good!!!

Because there may be children who are really at stake in your questioning here I would like to tell you how I explained the truth of God to my child and maybe you might follow that example. While you yourself may never enjoy eternal life, because you really love your children, you might prepare them to know, understand and enjoy the promises of their Creator.

When my son was 4 I began reading a chapter of the Proverbs of the wise to him as bedtime reading. I would go in and we would share a bit about the day and then I would read one chapter and then we would pray together. To be honest, the subject of hell never came up and I have never had to warn him of the dangers of hell because he has already chosen to love His Creator and God because of His goodness without thought of His wrath.

Sure, he now knows what is at stake. That in the end he will either be with God enjoying all of the promises that God and His Son and His Spirit and His word have told us about the eternal life with God; or he will be separated from God. He does understand that God desires to give him life that is abundant and full and because he knows that God is love and that it is His greatest desire to give good things to His children, he knows that being with God is what he wants.

My encouragement to you would be to likewise not be anxious about how you are going to tell your children about hell, but be mindful of how you are going to tell your children about God's great love for them and the promises that He has in store for them by knowing and believing the truth.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted