Bible studies: Ready to go

Group, Nov/Dec 2003 by Warden, Michael D

the basics: the mysteries of God

TOPICS: The Afterlife, Suffering, Humor, The Supernatural

the afterlife

1. Highs and Lows-(No supplies needed.)

Form a circle and have each person turn to a partner and respond to these questions: When was a time you felt as though you were in heaven? as though you were in hell? Allow two minutes for pairs to talk, then bring the whole group back together to discuss these questions: What sorts of words to do we typically use to describe heaven? to describe hell? Why do we think that's what heaven or hell is like?

Say something like: Today we're going to explore one of the great mysteries of life-what really goes on in the afterlife?

2. A Little Corner of Heaven; A Little Pit of Hell-(You'll need an assortment of craft supplies, such as newsprint, tape, color markers, glitter, glue, scissors, colored paper, pencils, and pens.)

Form four groups and assign each group one corner of the meeting room (or a section of the wall). Set out all the supplies. Tell two of the groups that their challenge is to transform their corner into "heaven". Tell the other two groups their challenge is to transform their corner into "hell".

Tell kids they can use anything in the room they wish, and encourage them to apply their senses to their creations by asking themselves questions such as: "What will heaven look like? How would it feel to stand in hell? What sorts of sounds will be there? tastes? smells?"

When groups are done, have them each take turns presenting their little corner of heaven or hell to the whole group. Then discuss these questions: Why do people like to dream about heaven? Why do we have nightmares about hell? What's one thing that worries you about heaven? Do you think our ideas about what it's like in hell are right? Why or why not?

3. What We Know-(You'll need Bibles and craft supplies like those used in the previous activity.)

Say something like: We've just shared what we imagine heaven or hell will be like. Now let's dive into the Bible to uncover the facts.

Have kids in each group number off from 1 to 4 to form four new groups. Pass out paper, and assign two of the groups "heaven," and two of the groups "hell." Have the heaven groups read these passages: Daniel 7:9-10; Matthew 6:20; 22:30; 26:64; Acts 7:55-56; Revelation 4:2-11; and 11:19. Have the hell groups read these passages: Matthew 5:22; 16:18; Mark 9:43-49; Luke 16:19-26; and 2 Peter 2:4. Then have groups list all the facts they can glean from the passages regarding the nature of heaven (or hell).

Give each group newsprint and markers, and have kids create a mural, write a poem, or draw a collection of symbols that illustrates what their group discovered about heaven (or hell), using only the information they gathered from the Bible.

4. Side-By-Side Comparisons-(You'll need Bibles and a piece of divinity candy for each person.)

Once groups are finished with their illustrations have kids compare their new creations with the imaginings they made at the beginning of the session. Discuss: How are our most recent illustrations similar to our first creations? What's the biggest difference? Why do you think God chose not to tell us more about what heaven and hell are like? Why do you think he told us anything at all about heaven? about hell? How can our knowledge of heaven and hell help us in daily life here on earth?

Say something like: We may not know everything we wish we knew about heaven or hell, but we know everything we need to know. For example, we know enough about hell to know that we really don't want to go there-ever.

Give each person a piece of divinity candy. Say something like: But heaven is a different matter entirely. Like this candy, we know that heaven will be sweet but it will also be much more. It will be the place where all our hearts' desires are fulfilled-permanently and perpetually.

Close the session with prayer, thanking God for helping us understand all we need to know about heaven and hell.

suffering

1. Notable and Quotable-(You'll need newsprint, tape, and markers.)

Before kids arrive, tape several sheets of newsprint to the meeting room walls. Copy a different one of the following quotes onto each sheet of newsprint, so that kids are surrounded by quotes when they arrive.

"It is only the strong who are strengthened by suffering; the weak are made weaker."-Lion Feuchtwanger

"Pain is the deepest thing we have in our nature, and union through pain and suffering has always seemed more real and holy than any other."-George Granville

"We need to suffer that we may learn to pity."-Letitia Elizabeth Landon

"It is suffering and then glory. Not to have the suffering means not to have the glory."-Robert C. McQuilkin

"Whoever is spared personal pain must feel himself called to help in diminishing the pain of others. We must all carry our share of the misery which lies upon the world."-Albert Schweitzer

"It is by those who have suffered that the world has been advanced."-Leo Tolstoy

"Pain is in itself an evil, and indeed without exception, the only evil."-Jeremy Bentham