The Truth about Heaven and Hell

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Revelation 20 & 21
Series: Your Ever After

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Did you grow up believing in a literal heaven and hell? How did it impact you?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Matthew 5:21-22, 29-20, 10:26-28, 25:40-46.
   Why do you think Jesus spoke so often about hell?
2. Read Revelation 20:10-15.
   What is being described here? What is the "lake of fire?" Is it eternal?
3. Discuss: How can God be loving if there is an eternal hell?
4. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10.
   How does Paul describe the final judgment and the final state of the wicked?
5. Discuss: What should we be teaching our children and grandchildren about hell?
6. Read Matthew 11:20-24.
   • Discuss: Will there be degrees of reward and punishment in heaven and hell? Why? Why not?
   • (cf Wayne Grudem; Systematic Theology; chapters 56 & 57)
7. Read Revelation 21:1-18.
   How does John describe the "new earth?"  
8. Read John 14:1-4.
   What is the “place” Jesus is preparing for us? Evidence?
9. Discuss: What excites you the most about the new earth?
10. Read Matthew 7:13-14, John 14:6.
    Discuss: Is Jesus really the only path to eternal life?   
11. Read 2 Peter 3:11-13.
    Discuss: How should the doctrine of last things impact us?

APPLICATION

Discuss the statement by theologian Miroslav Volf:

 “God is not loving in spite of his wrath;  He is loving because of His wrath.”

—Free of Charge (Zondervan)   

The Bible and Reincarnation

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Romans 3, 5, & John 5
Series: Your Ever After

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

• Why do you think reincarnation is so popular with so many Americans – even Christians? 

INTO THE BIBLE

1. What is the purpose of reincarnation according to those who believe in it?
        How does it address the sin problem? How do grace & karma differ?

2. Read Romans 5:1-11 / How does Paul describe the atonement here?
        How is it the final solution for sin? How does it refute reincarnation?
3. Read Hebrews 2:17; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:1-2, 4:10
        • What are the benefits of Jesus’ death described in these passages?
        • What is “propitiation”? (cf Grudem’s Systematic Theology – Zondervan - chapter 27)
        • How does the death of Christ bring us to God?
        • Does the death of Jesus automatically reconcile everyone with God? Why? Why not?
        • What must a person do (specifically) to be saved?
4. Read John 5:28-30 & 1 Corinthians 15:35-44
        Resurrection of the body or reincarnation? Discuss.
5. Is the next life physical? Why? Why not? What will the New Earth be like?
6. How does Jesus’ resurrection contradict reincarnation? Discuss.
7. Read John 19:30 – discuss what this verse means in context.
        How does this answer reincarnation?
8. What are some other theories of the atonement of Christ? 
        (cf Grudem’s Systematic Theology – Zondervan - Chapter 27)
9. Read Romans 3:25-26
        How does the death of Jesus satisfy the justice of God against sin?
10. Read Romans 8:1 & Hebrew 9:27-28 - How do these verses refute reincarnation? Discuss

APPLICATION

How should the doctrine of the atonement affect our daily Christian lives?
 

FAMILY FOCUS

Parents, we are pleased to include a “Family Focus” section to the Community Group questions. Our goal is to assist you in taking what you have learned through the sermon and discussed in community and “bring it home” to your family. 

1. Read 2 Peter 3:10-13 and Revelation 20:11-15. 
        What information do these verses contribute to the coming judgment?
    
2. Christians do not face the coming wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10). 
        Are there rewards for followers of Christ?
        (Look at 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12)

The Second Coming of Christ and the Final Judgment

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Matthew 24 & 25
Series: Your Ever After

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Did you grow up believing in the 2nd coming of Christ?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Matthew 24:1-3; where were Jesus and His disciples? Why would they ask Jesus this?
    
2. Read Matthew 24:4-25
   Discuss and describe the sequence of events Jesus describes here
   Is this describing ONLY the events of AD70 or also the distant future? Why?
   What is the order of events: Tribulation and 2nd Coming or Second Coming and Tribulation?
3. Read Matthew 24:36-44
   Are the ones who are ‘taken’ in vs 40-41 – taken in safety or taken in judgment? Why?
   Who is “left behind?” (vs 40-41)
   So…will true believers be taken or left behind in this analogy?
4. Read Matthew 25:31-46
   What is this event? Why is the idea of a final judgment so disliked?
   How are Matthew’s words rooted in Isaiah 58? Read and discuss
   When does this judgment occur?
   What is the criterion for those who are lost and for those who are saved?
   How does this line up with Justification by Faith Alone? Discuss
   Can someone be truly saved and have no fruit in their lives? Discuss
5. Read 2 Peter 3:10-18
   In light of Christ’s 2nd Coming – how are we to live? Be specific
   How can we focus more on His return to help us pursue holiness? Practically?
6. Read Revelation 21:1-5 in two different translations
   Discuss John’s vision of the New Jerusalem
   What excites you most about the New Earth? Get specific….

APPLICATION

How can we help our children and grandchildren better grasp the 2nd Coming and what it calls for?

FAMILY FOCUS

Parents, we are pleased to include a “Family Focus” section to the Community Group questions. Our goal is to assist you in taking what you have learned through the sermon and discussed in community and “bring it home” to your family.

1. Read 2 Peter 3:10-13 and Revelation 20:11-15.
   What information do these verses contribute to the coming judgment?|
    
2. Christians do not face the coming wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
   Are there rewards for followers of Christ?
   
   Look at: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
   2 Timothy 4:8
   James 1:12

What Happens One Minute after We Die?

Speaker: Pastor Jay Childs
Scripture: Luke 16:19-31
Series: Your Ever After

Sermon Notes

1. Popular Views of the Afterlife 

2. What Jesus teaches about the Afterlife

Discussion Questions

Download the discussion questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

1. What scares you the most about death? / What excites you the most about dying?

INTO THE BIBLE

1. Read Hebrews 9:27 & Matthew 25:31-46; what do we learn about final judgment in these passages?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; what did Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplish? How?
3. What are several popular views of the afterlife in our culture? Discuss and critique them biblically.
4. Read Revelation 21:1-14; describe the New Earth – be specific. What happens to the unsaved?
5. Read Luke 16:19-31; recap the main things Jesus teaches In Luke 16 about the afterlife.
6. Read Matthew 7:13-14 and John 14:6; discuss: Is Jesus really the ONLY path to eternal life?  Does this make Jesus narrow minded? Why? Why not?  How would you answer a friend who felt this was not loving, but hostile to other religions?  How wrong can we be theologically and still be saved?
7. Read Revelation 14:9-11; how long will the torments of Hell last? Is God still loving? Discuss
8. Read John 14:1-4 and Revelation 21:1; will the New Earth be physical? Discuss what this means.
9. Discuss: In what ways is this study making you more excited about the afterlife? Has a desire for the afterlife been something you’ve thought about much before? Why? Why not?

APPLICATION

Who can summarize the Gospel is 30 words or less? Summarize the plan of salvation in 30 words or less.

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FAMILY FOCUS

Parents, we are pleased to include a “Family Focus” section to the Community Group questions. Our goal is to assist you in taking what you have learned through the sermon and discussed in community and “bring it home” to your family.

1. Death is a mystery but there are some things we can know, based on what the Bible says.
   Read and discuss the following verses:
             Luke 23:42-43
             John 10:27-29, 14:1-6
             2 Corinthians 5:1, 5, 8
             Philippians 1:6, 21-23
   Remember that these and other promises are for those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Death is also filled with emotions, some very painful and confusing.
   Read the following promises from God:
             Psalm 23:1-6; 68:4-6a, 19-20; 121:1-8
             2 Corinthians 1:3-4
             Hebrews 4:14-16
   Consider memorizing a few of these promises.
3. Death is not an easy subject to discuss with children.
   Here are some recommended resources:
             • Heaven For Kids by Randy Alcorn
             • Comforting Children In Crisis by Group Publishing