Kids’ Questions: If I’m Good, Will God Love Me More?

Kids may wonder–and ask you: “If I’m good, will God love me more?” How would you answer that question?

Be ready when your kids ask the tough questions! Our top-notch team of experienced ministry workers and parents have crafted answers that will satisfy your kids…make you comfortable as you share…and open up ongoing conversation that draws you closer to them.

Kids’ Questions: If I’m Good, Will God Love Me More?

Preschooler

Tempting to say “yes,” isn’t it, to prompt obedience? But don’t. You’re a model of God’s love for your child, and God’s love isn’t performance-based. Does he love us when we’re good? Yes. When we’re bad? Yes. Did he love us enough to send Jesus before we were good? Yes.

Elementary-Age

Use this as a chance to discuss and explore the characteristics of God— and your child’s response to God. Psalm 136 will help your child know God loves him no matter what. Being good or bad doesn’t change how the Lord thinks of us, but being good shows him we love him.

Preteen

If you’ve believed—or still believe—that God loves you more when you’re good, share your story with your child. Assure your child no matter how tempting it is to believe good behavior wins God’s affection, it’s not true. We don’t obey God because it makes him like us more; we obey as a loving response because he already loves us—and we wish to please him. God’s nature is unchanging. When we grow closer to God, it’s we who change, not God.

Related Scriptures: Read Romans 5:8 and John 3:16 to confirm that God loves us—period!

This is excerpted from the book, Trust Us…They’ll Ask. 101 hot-topic questions and answers for your preschooler, elementary-age child, and preteen.

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