Children and Sermons on Hell

Is it good or is it harmful for little children to hear sermons about hell fire and damnation? Too many Christians immediately give an answer from their own wisdom. “I don’t think that’s good. That will only scare those children and they’ll think they have to serve God out of fear and not love.” Others might say, “There’s nothing wrong with that. They need to face the truth early, and if you bring them up learning about it, they won’t resent it when they grow up.”

Why not ask: What does God tell us about this? Is there an example in the Bible of little children hearing about hell?

 Do you recall these graphic words of Jesus about hell? “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.” Those words are from Matthew 18:8-9.

And what about this statement of our loving Savior two verses earlier? “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6). Should little children be exposed to such strong words?

They were. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matt. 18:1-4). Evidently Jesus didn’t think hearing about hell would damage their little minds.

Some Christians “reason” that children should be exposed to profanity and filthy talk on television because that will prepare them for the real world. They’ll be used to it and it won’t bother them. I wonder how many of those who think it’s harmful for children to hear about hell in a sermon think it’s a good idea for children to hear hell used as a cuss word because, after all, they’re going to hear it anyway?

Kerry

West End church of Christ • December 7, 2025