Big question! 2 things stand out about dinosaurs before looking at where they fit in. First, it is obvious that they existed at some time in the past - their fossils and bones have been found in countless places all over the world. Secondly, although some believe that Job 41:8,15,29,31 and Job 40:15,17,21 are possibly talking about dinosaurs, most don't see dinosaurs being referred to in the Bible. This is a pain for us (because we want answers) but not a problem as the Bible does not set out to be a science book with descriptions of every species and animal that existed. The purpose of the Bible is to reveal God and his plan of salvation to us.

The main conventional Christian explanation to dinosaurs is:
God created them with everything else during the creation week. After sin entered the world and everything in it though, the dinosaurs were becoming a huge violent menace and they were wiped out at the flood (along with all the other sin-ridden things in the world at that time). Basically, God realised that dinosaurs were too dangerous and decided to wipe them out because of the threat of their size. This does fit in with what Genesis 6 tells us about the flood set up:

5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth - men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air - for I am grieved that I have made them."
11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.

Some Christians have also proposed that humans created dinosaurs before the flood and they were part of the violence and wickedness that God reacted to. Under this scenario, God also wiped dinosaurs out at the time of the flood.

For more info, check out the good website http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/1999/11/05/dinosaurs-and-the-bible

Blogs Based on actual questions asked by young people:
Hopefully these considerations to some big questions asked by young people are helpful to you. Please note that while I have done my best to be true to what the Bible and the Seventh-day Adventist church teaches, I may not always have got it 100% right. So please don’t just take what I say but keep searching out answers from God for yourself.
If you have any further questions, on these topics or any other, please feel free to:
1. Keep exploring the answers using a Bible, Christian books, Google, prayer, friends, family, youth leader, pastor, school chaplain, and an open heart.
2. Come say hi and chat to me in person when I am at your church or in your region.
3. Email me at LanceBoulton@adventist.org.nz
Don't be afraid to ask questions. God is bigger than your biggest question and isn't afraid of what you are wondering. Let your questions drive you into a fuller knowledge and experience of God (rather than driving you away from God).