Teaching Your Child About Angels

Lately, Ethan has had some questions about Angels. He wants to know what they are, who they are, what they do, and whether or not people can turn into angels. Unfortunately, many do not know what to believe when it comes to Angels! I myself had no idea what the answers were to any of these questions no more than a few years ago! I even believed that after you died and went to Heaven, you, the human would actually BECOME an Angel!

The truth is Angels are not human beings, they do not marry or reproduce as humans do. And though we do not know when exactly angels were created, we do know that they have not existed from all eternity. (Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 148:2,5). Colossians 1:16-17 tells us: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Can we trust all angels? It would be pleasant to think that we could, but NO! While all angels were originally holy, there were some that opposed God and obeyed Satan, God's enemy. But remember (and remind your children) our God who created all beings is still in charge, and He will bring the 'bad angels' or 'demons' to a final defeat!

To answer another of Ethan's question, I searched scripture to find out what exactly angels do. I knew to immediately tell him that they worship and praise God! But being a four year old, he wanted to know, of course, "What else?" So I found that angels do more than worship and praise God.

***They also reveal God's will to men, as they revealed the law to Moses.
***They guide, just as they gave instructions to Joseph about the birth of Jesus. ***They provide - God used angels to provide needs such as food for Hagar. ***One of the most comforting things to find (one which I hoped was true) was that they do provide protection, keeping God's people out of danger, as in the cases of Daniel in the lion's den, and his friends in the furnace!
***Delivering, as in Acts 5 when the angels released the apostles from prison.
***They also answer prayer! God uses his angels various times throughout the scripture to answer the prayers of His people.
***And Caring for Believers at the moment of death, this one I also find to be very comforting!

When teaching your child about angels, refer to the story of God's angel helping Peter. (Acts 12: 1-17) Remind your child that sometimes God sends angels to help even if we cannot see them! What a way to brighten your child's day! God Bless ;)