How would you explain the "heavenly father" concept to a kid with a lousy human father?

Question

Or none at all. What do you tell a kid whose human father is violent, irrational, spends money on drugs instead of decent food and clothing for his kid, all that?

To clarify, I am not requesting advice for my own kid; I don't have any kids. I'm reflecting on what my mother (Methodist Sunday school teacher) tried to explain to me when I was a child. My father was not a good father by anyone's stretch of imagination.

Answer 1

Many tasks needed to be done by adults raising their children are done without proper background or experience. The "heavenly father" concept is probably not understood any better by a child with a nearly perfect biological father than by a child with no father.

This is an attempt to explain infinite Divinity in terms that a finite human mind might come close to grasping. It is complicated by the fact that a child is a human bordering upon learning logic. A logical explanation is not understood any better than an illogical one.

How would I explain this concept? I would first find out the position of the child who asks about the concept. If the child is not asking, then no attempt to explain will be understood because the child is not ready.

What does the child know about the spiritual world as opposed to the material world? What does the child understand about love or caring or nurturing? Does the child have a pet or a favorite doll or a little sibling that it does not seem to be in competition with?

Explanations are attempts to make complex ideas available in simple terms. This is not always possible. Each of us can only do the best we can.

Most children would have just as hard a time understanding the concept that all of the material objects that they can see are made up of very tiny atoms which they cannot see. No reasonable adult would attempt to teach quantum mechanic to a three year old. The best parent can only answer questions to the point that the child stops asking questions about the topic.

Remember that Christ taught the concept of the "heavenly Father" in an attempt to explain Divinity to adults who had no true idea as to what Divinity is. Christians (as followers of the Christ) have continued to pass this concept to the next generation. Often they do not truthfully understand it themselves.

In reference to a Methodist Sunday school teacher attempting to explain the concept of "heavenly father" to a child who might have heard the Lord's Prayer (and had a less than perfect biological father), I would reflect upon the intentions of the mother and not the exact method or words used.

Answer 2

I would start by explaining the concept of heaven. Once that has been established, begin by telling him that his "heavenly father" lives up there. He is always watching over your kid and that "Father" loves the child. He is always there to listen and will never hurt like his Earthly daddy does. Any idiot can be a father, it takes someone special to be Daddy. Heavenly Father is that kids "Daddy"

Answer 3

I understand what you're getting at, but I honestly don't think that a child raised in a home with good parents has an advantage, when it comes to understanding God, as a benevolent parent. Have you tried to explain the concept to a child with good parents? I'm not criticizing, I just think it's difficult to explain.

Answer 4

When that is occurring, I think that you have to use the child himself as the example. Most children are capable of love of a pet, doll, toy, or person. If you can tap into that, and help them understand that there is a being who can love everyone for who they are, then you may be on the right path.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I just have to answer this: you could say that this is the father who is everything you would want your own dad to be.
Or from a pagan perspective: the Earth is my mother, the Sky is my father and that is enough for me.

Answer 6

Psalm 27:10 -

"Although my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]"

Explain to him/her that their earthly father, with all of his human faults, is not their ultimate, real father. Our true father is our Father in Heaven. His love is never failing and unconditional.

Answer 7

Hello and the best example of what The Father would do if He was here Himself was given by the second member of The Godhead Jesus Christ in John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Show us the Father? Also the term Father is used interchangeable within The Godhead, in Isaiah there is prophecy pointing to Christ but NOTICE the Word father in there in Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
9:7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. And explain to your kid that Jesus Christ is the ONLY example of How to live a life that God approves of in ALL the bible, in fact ALL the bible hung on that cross, look to Jesus and NOT any earthly parent as your example and offer a free on line bible course www.amazingfacts.org also i am a Seventh Day Adventist Christian and it says in the last verse of Acts 2 that this same Jesus added daily to the church as such as should be saved, talk that kid[s] to church on Sabbath [Saturday] set an example of worship and following God's commandments thats a great start, talk to me email not messenger also [e-mail] God bless

Answer 8

I certainly wouldn't tell him that he has an imaginary father in the sky. I would tell him that there will be strong, caring role models in his life and that they don't have to be related to you by blood, and that if he works hard in his life he will be a better father to his children than his was to him.

Answer 9

Why would you want to give the poor kid a second bad example?

Answer 10

Maybe I'd just go with the great mother goddess routine.