Probably one of the most difficult things about parenting is knowing when and how to explain

to our children the reality of God's eternal judgment.

This is a hard truth, and of course we can wield it unwisely, but it's also an essential

truth and we are obligated to help our children to understand.

But how do we go about it?

It's a question from Michael.

Pastor John, how can I talk to my six-year-old son about a hell?

When any loved one who has died has been a Christian.

I've told them that they have gone to heaven, but if somebody dies who is not a Christian,

I do not want to lie to say that they have gone to heaven.

But I do not know how to teach him about hell.

He has extreme anxiety about death, and I'm afraid talking about hell may make him even

more anxious.

He also gets very upset when he makes any kind of mistake or when I have to correct him.

I do not want him to worry that if he disobeys, he will be sent to hell.

Now in the world can I teach him about God's eternal judgment?

Let me start by turning the tables and saying we should be a hundred times more concerned

about a six-year-old who has no fear of death and hell than we are about a child who fears

death and hell.

One of the reasons we may not feel that is because when a child has no fear, we tend

to go along as though all is well.

He's such a happy little fellow and she's such a cheerful little girl.

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