God is Building a Place for Us: Heaven, Week 2

Our theme for the year is Built to Obey. We'll be looking at lots of different people in the Bible who were given seemingly impossible tasks, but they chose obedience and God did amazing things through them!  We'll be learning this year that obedience is hard, obedience is specific, obedience is a choice, obedience is a witness, and obedience brings blessings.

During this unit, we will be learning about heaven, the place that God is building for His children. This unit may bring up a lot of questions for your children, but our staff is always willing to help answer any questions and point you to resources you can use to study this precious topic alongside your children.

Here is a post from our children's pastor, Doug Merrell:

         Whenever the subject of heaven comes up my thoughts and attention always goes to the words and advice of two of my favorite Christian theologians: Max Lucado and Psalty the Singing Songbook.

         Mine and Amy’s favorite children’s book is “Just In Case You Ever Wonder” by Max Lucado.  This book is about a parent telling their child how special they are to them and God.  The last few pages of the book ends with these words.  “And God wants me to make sure you know about heaven.  It’s a wonderful place.  There are no tears there.  No monsters.  No mean people.  You never have to say good-bye,” or “good-night,” or “I’m hungry.”  You never get cold or sick or afraid.  In heaven you are so close to God that He will hug you, just like I hug you.  It’s going to be wonderful.  I will be there, too.  I promise.  We will be there together, forever.  Remember that… just in case you ever wonder.”  Thank you, Max, for putting down in words what God has put in my heart.

         Jesus once said that we need to come to him with faith like a little child; therefore, I find myself seeking, not the complicated, but the simple.  In scene six of the children’s musical “Kids Praise! An Explosion of Happiness!” by Ernie Rettino and Debby Kerner, a little boy named Tim asks this. “Psalty, do you know anything about heaven?”  Psalty responds, “Sure, I know that Jesus is there and if He’s there it must be a wonderful place.”  Simple…. Jesus is there!  It’s a wonderful place!

        John 14:2-3 (HCSB) says, “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you.  I am going away to prepare a place for you.  If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.”  Eternity with Jesus, praising God. What could be more wonderful?

                                                                                                                                              Mr. Doug