Does god know about people who are hungry?

Answer: God knows everything. He even knows how many hairs you have on your head. God knows about all the hungry people in the world, and it makes him sad.

Remember, he put us in charge of the world. God wants us to care about people and help those who need it. This includes helping to feed those who are hungry.

Think about what you can do to feed the hungry people in your community.

Key verses: He is the God who made both earth and heaven. He made the seas and all that is in them. He is the God who keeps every promise.

He gives justice to the poor. He gives food to the hungry. He sets the prisoners free. (Psalm 146:6-7)

Related verses: Matthew 10:29-31; Acts 27:34

Related question: Why doesn’t God make enough food for everyone?

Why do brothers and sisters fight?

Answer: Part of what it means to be a human being is to be sinful. In other words, no one in this world is perfect. We all do wrong things – we act in ways that displease God and that get us into trouble.

Sinfulness causes us to get on each other’s nerves and to get angry with one another. We even argue and fight with people we love, like our parents or our brothers and sisters. God has given us rules for living. If we follow his rules, we will get along with each other.

Key verses: At harvest time Cain brought the Lord a gift of his farm produce. Abel brought the fatty cuts of meat from his best lambs, and presented them to the Lord.

The Lord accepted Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s. This made Cain dejected and very angry. His face grew dark with fury. “Why are you angry?” the Lord asked him.

“Why is your face so dark with rage? It can be bright with joy if you will do what you should! But if you refuse to obey, watch out. Sin is waiting to attack you.

It is longing to destroy you. But you can conquer it!” (Genesis 4:3-7)

Related verses: Genesis 4:8; James 4:1

Related questions: Why are some people so mean? Why did God give me mean brothers and sisters?

Why does god let us get sick?

Answer: Sometimes sickness is the body’s way of telling us that we should stop living a certain way. Perhaps we ate too much (or we ate something bad), or we didn’t get enough sleep.

Sickness and disease are problems that came into the world with sin. All kinds of people get sick: good and bad, rich and poor, old and young.

God wants us to take care of ourself and be healthy so we can live for him. And when we are sick, we can pray to God and ask him to help us.

Key verses: Is anyone sick? He should call for the elders of the church. They should pray over him and pour a little oil upon him. They should call on the Lord to heal him.

If their prayer is offered in faith, it will heal him. The Lord will make him well. If his sickness was caused by some sin, the Lord will forgive him. (James 5:14-15)

Related verses: Romans 5:3; 8:28; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

If we are running out of trees, why doesn’t god just make more?

Answer: God is making more trees, but it is up to us not to use them faster than he replaces them. Some trees are cut down and used for wood, paper, and other products.

Other trees are cut down to make room for houses, shopping centers, roads, and other construction projects. Some people say that we are running out of trees.

When God created trees and other plants, he made them with the ability to make new ones. They do this by producing seeds that fall to the ground or are planted and then grow.

But it takes many years for a tree to grow to be big and tall. So people should be careful not to cut down more trees than can be replaced by the seeds.

God has given human beings the job of taking care of the earth. This includes using the trees wisely and planting new ones.

Key verse: Then God said, “Let us make a man – someone like ourselves. He will be the master of all life upon the earth and in the skies and in the seas.” (Genesis 1:26)

Related verses: Deuteronomy 20:19; Revelation 7:3

Note To Parents: Faithful stewards of the earth are sensitive to the environment. This kind of question is an opportunity for you to teach your children to take good care of God’s earth and its resources.

How come god makes storms with lightning and thunder?

Answer: God made laws that control how the weather works. Thunderstorms are part of our weather. Without rain, the grass, flowers, and crops wouldn’t grow.

The lightning and thunder in those storms come from the electricity in the air and on the earth. Of course, God can interrupt his laws of nature. But he made those laws so the earth would work.

God doesn’t send storms to scare us or hurt us. But storms can be dangerous, so we should stay out of their way and find cover when they come.

Key verses: The clouds poured down their rain. The thunder rolled and crackled in the sky. Your lightning flashed. There was thunder in the whirlwind. The lightning lighted up the world! The earth trembled and shook. (Psalm 77:17-18)

Related verses: 1 Kings 18:5-45; Psalm 83:15

Related questions: How come, God, makes weather hurt people or damage stuff? Does God make the weather every day?

Note to parents: As mentioned in the note for question 78, many natural disasters are the result of sin in the world. Of course, we don’t know all the reasons for hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other terrible calamities.

But some natural disasters are clearly the result of misusing the environment (for example, strip mining) or poor planning (for example, building on a flood plain).

Why does god let wars happen?

Answer: Wars are a result of sin in the world. Because people aren’t perfect, sometimes they get angry and fight. When leaders of countries do this, wars start. Wars are like fights between people, only much, much bigger.

If people followed God’s instructions for living, there would not be wars. God wants people to get along, not to fight and kill each other. But if we ignore God and break his rules, we suffer.

God could stop all wars and fights in the world. But God wants human beings to trust him, to listen to him, to obey him, and to live in peace with each other.

Key verses: What is causing the fights among you? Isn’t it because there is a whole army of evil desires within you? You want what you don’t have.

So you kill to get it! You long for what others have. So you start a fight to take it away! Why don’t you have what you want? Because you don’t ask God for it. (James 4:1-2)

Related verses: Matthew 24:6; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Related question: Does God make bad things happen?

Why do some people die before they are old?

Answer: Death entered the world when sin came in. Ever since Adam and Eve, pain and death have been part of life. Eventually, everything that is alive in our world has to die. Plants die. Animals die.

People die. Death can come from a lot of different causes: automobile accidents, sickness, old age, and so forth. And life is short, no matter how long a person lives.

Just ask someone who is sixty or seventy or eighty. Remember that because life is short, we should make the most of every day we are alive. Each breath is a gift from God.

But also remember that this life is not all there is. After we die we can live forever with God.

Key verses: For to me, living is Christ, and dying-well, that’s better yet! But if I live I can win people to Christ. So I don’t know which is better. Should I live or die? Sometimes I want to live, and at other times I don’t.

For I long to go and be with Christ. How much happier for me than being here! (Philippians 1:21-23)

Related verse: 2 Corinthians 5:6

Why are some people different from others?

Answer: Bad things happen in this world, and people suffer. Some people are hurt in accidents. Some are injured in sports. Some are born with physical problems. You can probably think of many ways that people can be harmed.

Today there are many doctors, nurses, and other people who can help us when we are hurt or need special help. They can give us medicine and bandages, and they can operate if necessary.

And scientists are always working on special tools to help. Glasses, wheel chairs, hearing aids, and artificial legs are just a few of their wonderful inventions. These doctors and scientists are gifts from God.

Key verses: “Master,” (Jesus’] disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or those of his parents?” “Neither,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind to show the power of God.” (John 9:2-3)

Related verses: Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 11:30; 12:8-10; 3 John 1:2

Related question: Why does God let people have disabilities?

Note to parents: God planned for people to be healthy. Disease, death, and disasters are a result of sin in the world. Everyone living in this sinful world suffers the effects of sin, even Christians.

God may allow us to go through difficult times to teach us to rely on him or other lessons. Whatever our struggles, God can be glorified in them. In fact, God delights in demonstrating his strength in weak people.

How long is eternity?

Answer: We can’t even imagine how long eternity is. Eternity goes on forever. Sometimes we have good times that we wish would never end – such as a party or a vacation or a visit by a friend from out of town.

But they do come to an end. Eternity, however, never ends. God is eternal, and he has given us eternal life. If we know Jesus, we will live forever with him, someday in heaven, after our life on earth comes to an end.

Key verse: But don’t forget this, dear friends! A day is like 1,000 years to the Lord. (2 Peter 3:8)

Related verses: Psalm 41: 13; 90:4; 1 Timothy 1: 17 RELATED QUESTION: What is eternity?

What does god want us to do?

Answer: In the Bible, God’s Word, God tells us what he wants us to do, how he wants us to live.

Although there are a lot of messages and information in the Bible, God’s four main instructions for our lives are: (1) believe in Jesus and trust him every day; (2) obey Jesus and do what he says; (3) love God and others; (4) be fair and honest and live for God without being proud about it.

Key verses: They replied, “What should we do to satisfy God?” Jesus told them, “God’s will is that you believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29)

Related verses: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 19:19; 22:39

Related question: How can I know what God wants me to do?

Why isn’t everyone a Christian?

Answer: Not everyone wants to be a Christian, and God doesn’t force people to follow Jesus. Some people don’t just reject Christ, they also act mean to Christians.

That’s because they don’t understand the love that God has for them. We should try to tell these people about God’s love for them.

Key verses: [Jesus is praying] “And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them. They should be filled with my joy. I have given them your commands.

And the world hates them. This is because they don’t belong in the world, just as I don’t. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world. I am asking that you keep them from the evil one.

They are not part of this world any more than I am.” (John 17:13-16)

Related verses: Matthew 7:14; John 15:9

Related question: Why do some people laugh when I talk about Jesus?

Note to parents: You can pray with your child for others to become Christians.

Why doesn’t God just zap the bad people?

Answer: God loves people so much, even the worst people in the world, that he is giving them time to turn away from being bad and to turn to him. God is very patient.

Someday, however, the time will be up, and all those who refuse to live God’s way and give their lives to Christ will be punished. That will be a very sad day, but it will come.

Key verse: It may seem like he is slow in coming back as he promised. But he isn’t. He is waiting because he does not want anyone to die. He is giving more time for sinners to repent. (2 Peter 3:9)

Related verses: Matthew 13:24-30; Hebrews 10:23

Related question: Why do people get away with being bad?

If I swear, will I go to hell when I die?

Answer: Although it is very important to watch what we say, God doesn’t decide who goes to hell because of our speech. Instead, our forgiveness and eternal life are based on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

If we trust Jesus to save us, we are forgiven. Of course that doesn’t make it all right to swear. We should always try to speak and do what is right.

Key verse: Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even that trust is not your own. It, too, is a gift from God.

Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done.  So none of us can take any credit for it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Related verses: Romans 3:14; James 3:10

Related question: What happens to people who use bad words?

Note to parents: Many children think they are too bad or evil to be forgiven by God. If you sense that your child feels this way, he or she needs to know that God can forgive any sin. Tell your children that they are not uniquely bad-all people sin.

Will all of my friends go to heaven?

Answer: God loves your friends just as he loves you. Only God knows who will go to heaven and hell; we don’t. But there is only one way to heaven-through Jesus. So we can go to heaven only if we have given our life to Christ.

If your friends don’t follow Jesus, you can help them understand by telling them the Good News about Jesus and how he died for them. Heaven is worth going to even if your friends don’t. There will be no good times in hell.

Key verse: Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can get to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Related verses: John 5:24; 11:25; Acts 4:12; 1 John 2:23

Related question: Does God love my friends?

Note to parents: This may be a good opportunity to encourage your child to invite a friend to church or Sunday school.

How do you get Jesus in your heart?

Answer: You become a Christian by asking Jesus to take over your life. You know that you have done wrong things, that you have sinned, and you recognize that you need Jesus to forgive your sins.

So you tell Jesus about your sins and that you are sorry, and you ask for his forgiveness. Then you do what Jesus says.

Key verses: But now God has shown us another way to Heaven. It is not by “being good enough” and trying to keep his laws. It is by a new way. It is not really new. Because the Scriptures told about it long ago.

Now God says he will accept us and declare us “not guilty.” He will do this if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. We all can be saved by coming to Christ. It doesn’t matter who we are or what we have been like.

Yes, all have sinned. All fall short of God’s perfect glory. But if we trust in Jesus Christ, God says we are “not guilty.” In his kindness he freely takes away our sins. (Romans 3:21-24)

Related verses: John 5:24; Acts 19:18; 1 John 1:9

Related question: How does someone become a Christian?

Would godsend nice people to hell if they are not christians?

Answer: Compared to each other, some people are nice and some are mean. But compared to God, all people are not very good. All people need to be forgiven for their sins, not just “mean people.”

To be fair, God has to punish sin. God doesn’t want to send anyone to hell. That’s why he sent Jesus – to pay the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross.

But, unfortunately, not all people are willing to admit that they sin and ask for forgiveness. They don’t accept the payment of Jesus’ death for them. So God lets them experience the results of their choice.

Key verses: The Bible says, “No one is good without God. Every person in the world has sinned.” No one has ever really followed God’s paths or even truly wanted to. Everyone has turned away from God.

All have gone wrong. No one anywhere has kept on doing what is right. (Romans 3:10-12)

Related verses: Romans 5:16; Jude 1:4

Related question: Who will God send to hell?

Why do god and Jesus love people?

Answer: God loves us because that’s what he decided to do. God doesn’t love us because we’re good or nice people. In fact, no one could ever be good enough to be worthy of God’s love.

Isn’t it amazing that God loves us even though we sometimes ignore him and disobey him?

Key verse: But God showed his great love for us. He sent Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)

Related verses: John 1:12; 16:7

Note to parents: The best way to help children under- stand God’s love is to demonstrate it to them.

Hug them, train them, cheer them, guide them, discipline them, talk to them, spend time with them, accept them, forgive them, help them, stand by them, and provide for them – then they’ll understand.

How can Jesus fit in my heart?

Answer: When we say “heart,” we mean deep down inside us where we really feel and believe. So when someone says, “Jesus lives in my heart,” the person means that he has asked Jesus to be his Savior- to forgive and take care of him-and that Jesus is in charge of his life.

When someone asks Jesus to take over, God really does come inside- the Holy Spirit comes and lives inside that person. And the Holy Spirit can be in all of the people who love God at the same time.

Jesus wants to be very close to you, too, like a good friend. Through his Holy Spirit, he wants to “live in your heart.”

Key verses: He has kept this secret for centuries and generations past. But now he is pleased to tell it to the brothers and sisters. The riches and glory of his plan are for you Gentiles, too. This is the secret: Christ in your hearts is your only hope of glory. (Colossians 1:26-27)

Related verses: John 16:7-8; Acts 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:8

Related question: How can other people have Jesus in their hearts if he’s in mine?

Note to parents: Children are often told that Jesus comes to live inside their hearts when they believe in him. Young children take this literally and think that a miniaturized Jesus actually lives in their chest.

“Jesus lives in my heart” is a shorthand way of calling Jesus Savior and Lord. “Jesus goes with you everywhere” may be a better way of phrasing it for young children.