Heaven Is for Real by Todd Burpo
Week 3: Chapters 8–10 — Colton Starts Talking
Read Chapters 8–10 of Heaven Is for Real. Key Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5; 1 Corinthians 2:9
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Children often reveal truth in unguarded moments — this week, pay attention to how Colton's revelations came not in a formal interview but in the back seat of a car and around the dinner table.
Discussion Questions
6 questions1.Colton's first disclosure — telling his parents that angels had sung to him while he sat in Jesus' lap — came months after surgery, casually, during a family car ride. Why do you think significant spiritual experiences often surface in ordinary, unguarded moments rather than in formal settings?
2.Todd, as a pastor, is uniquely positioned to both embrace and interrogate what Colton is saying. He describes the delicate tension of trying to draw Colton out without leading him. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to listen carefully without contaminating what someone was sharing? What made that difficult?
3.Colton describes Jesus as having 'markers' — wounds in his hands — and having 'really, really blue eyes' and a white garment with a purple sash. Todd notes that Colton rejected every artistic rendering of Jesus he was shown except one painted by young Lithuanian-born artist Akiane Kramarik, who also claims a supernatural vision. What do you make of the convergence of these two children's descriptions? Does it strengthen or complicate your response to the story?
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