What Happens to Unbelievers?

Learning that not everyone will go to heaven can be upsetting for kids. They may wonder whether God is loving or fair. Some kids may be thinking about a friend who doesn’t believe in Jesus. Others may be worried about a family member who has died. These are hard conversations, and we may not always know what to say.

In this week’s Brite lesson, kids learn that Jesus is in heaven and will return one day. Jesus died on the cross and rose again so we can live with Him forever. Anyone can believe in Jesus and be saved. We also need to be honest that people who don’t trust in Jesus will be separated from Him forever.

When your kid asks about this, find out if there is someone they are worried about. Let them share their questions, and be careful not to frighten them with details about hell. If they ask about someone who has died, remind them that only God knows that person’s heart and relationship with Him. We can trust Him with what we don’t know. Help your kid think of a friend or family member who needs to hear about Jesus. Pray for that person together and look for opportunities to share the Gospel.

Here’s how we discussed this topic and how you can discuss it at home: 

Discuss: Some people believe that every single person goes to heaven when they die. Is that true? How do you know?

Discuss: Is it mean that God doesn’t allow everyone to go to heaven?

Discuss: What do you think God has to say about this?

Say: God loves every single person and wants everyone to spend eternity with Him. The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9b that God is: patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. However, He loves us enough to give us a choice. Unfortunately, some people don’t choose to believe in Jesus and turn from sin. Without the forgiveness of Jesus, sin separates us from a relationship with God. God shows His love and kindness by making a way for us to go to heaven but also by allowing each person to decide. God gives us the important task of telling others about the good news of Jesus so that they can choose to follow Him.