During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:2–3
Jesus promised that He was going to make that special place ready in His Father’s house. There is a room prepared just for you. He is coming to take you to be with Him. Do you truly believe this? If not, what is the doubt you hold?
Think for a moment of what you imagine that place to be like. What will it look like? What will you do there? As you read the Bible you will find that heaven will be full of wonderful things, and all will be for the glory of God. Spend a few minutes celebrating your priceless future trip to heaven!
Children are often the most effective evangelists in their families! You may have children in class whose families do not know the good news of Jesus. This week encourage the families to ask their children what they learned in class about life after death. Then encourage the children to go home and tell their families about God’s love and gift of salvation.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Ask the children to form groups of 3–5 and answer the question, “What happens after death?” Give them about two minutes to discuss their answers, and then have them gather as a large group. Ask volunteers to share one idea from each group. Do not correct any misconceptions at this time. Instead, allow the children to talk. This will help you to learn a lot about them and the beliefs to which they were exposed before they came to your class.
Then explain that today they will learn the truth from what the Bible says happens after death.
Today we will talk about beliefs people have about life after death and what the Bible teaches.
Have 2–3 children share their thoughts in 1 sentence with the class.
Sometimes death seems frightening because it is unknown. Someone who has died cannot come back to tell us about it. Here are some ideas that some people have come up with about death. After I read each idea, raise your hand if you have heard this idea before. Raising your hand does not mean you necessarily believe this statement, just that you have heard of it.
Some people believe that there is no life after death. They think that when you die that is the end. They believe there is only this earthly life.
Have children raise their hands if they have heard this idea before. Explain that raising their hands does not mean they believe this idea is true.
Some people believe in reincarnation. They believe that when people die, they come back in a different form or as a different person to live another life all over again. These people believe that what you were like in your last life determines what you will be in your next life. They hope that a person’s spirit can work its way up to heaven by being better in each lifetime. If you were good, you return higher in the social scale. If you were bad, you return lower and could be an animal or a bug. When the spirit reaches perfection, it returns to the dwelling place of its god.
Have children raise their hands if they have heard this idea before. Again, remind them that raising their hands does not mean they believe this idea is true.
Some people believe that dead people return as spirits, ghosts, or demons that stay around forests, rivers, or homes. These creatures come to torment the people who do not respect them or do things they do not like. People who believe this often also believe that in order to keep the spirits happy, they have to give them offerings and do things such as cleaning tombs and graves so that nothing bad happens to them.
Have children raise their hands if they have heard this idea before.
Some people believe dead people go to a place called purgatory where they work away their sins so they can go to heaven.
Have children raise their hands if they have heard this idea before.
Some people believe that those who love God and trust in Him are invited to join Him in heaven and be part of His loving family forever. This is what the Bible teaches. Heaven is God’s special home. It is a place of joy where people who trust in Jesus enjoy never-ending friendship with God. This is what Christians believe.
Have children raise their hands if they have heard this idea before. Explain that this idea is the truth about what happens after death and that you are going to talk more about it.
Optional: If you are using The Action Bible, ask the children to read the story on pages 641–644.
We have talked before about how Jesus died to pay for our sins. Jesus not only died, but He also came back to life, never to die again. He is the only one who ever did this. Jesus defeated death! For this reason, we can look to Him for guidance about life and death.
The Bible tells us that our bodies and spirits are raised up again after death. Christians know they will have a never-ending life with Jesus. Those who love Jesus can be absolutely certain of what will happen when they die. They will live in heaven with God’s forever family.
When a Christian dies, his Christian friends and family know they will see him again. Jesus has promised that Christians will be with Him in heaven. Of course his friends and family are sad that they cannot see him every day on earth, but they know that death is not the end.
Read the following 2 passages directly from the Bible and make sure the children understand they are from the Bible, God’s Word.
Listen to some things Jesus said in the Bible:
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?
John 11:25–26
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:2–3
They will live forever with Him because they believe in Him.
He was raised from the dead and will live forever. If you are a Christian, you will live forever too. He is life and He gives life.
Allow children to share their thoughts openly.
I am going to read you a verse from Psalm 16. I will read it twice. After I do, tell me what it will be like when Christians make their home with Jesus.
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
Have children share what they think it will be like for Christians to live with Jesus in heaven someday. If needed, define the word “eternal” as lasting forever.
I am going to read you what the book of Revelation says about heaven. I will read it twice. After I do, tell me what will not be in heaven.
[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Call on 2–3 children to share what will not be in heaven according to this Bible verse.
Heaven is God’s special home. Jesus was taken up to heaven after His resurrection to live with His Father. When we die, if we are Christians, we will also go to heaven to be with God our Father.
Share this information with your children if they ask or if you believe they have questions about judgment. The Bible tells us that people who love God and have served Him will be welcomed into His home. People who do not love God and have not served Him will be separated from Him forever.
Optional: If you are using the Student Pages, allow a few minutes for the children to draw pictures of what they think heaven will be like.
Play a quick game with the children about the price of heaven. You will use the 5 small items and the paper with the word “Heaven” on it. Explain that you will play a game about guessing the prices of certain objects. Tell them you will describe an item and tell them a price. For each item you will think of a price that is lower or higher than the actual price. You should have an equal number of items that are priced low and high.
The children will raise their thumbs if they think the price is higher than the one you say. They will show a thumbs down if they think the price is lower. If they think the price is right, they should just put out an open hand. For example, you say “Soap” and tell them a price that is higher. They respond and then you tell them the correct price. Do this for each item, ending with “Heaven.”
When you get to the last item, “Heaven,” set the price really high. After the children respond, tell them the price of heaven is so high no one can pay it. But Jesus paid the price so anyone who accepts His gift can receive this for free!
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?
John 11:25–26
Optional Supplies: If you are using the optional supplies, set out the items you brought with a slip showing the higher or lower price you tell the class. The actual price can be written on the other side of the paper. Follow the same instructions for the game as noted above.
As we talked about earlier, Jesus paid the price for all who believe in Him and accept Him as Saviour. If you are a Christian, you get into heaven because Jesus paid the way for you.
Tell the children your own story of salvation. How did you come to know and love Jesus? What has Jesus done in your heart and your life? Spend about three minutes telling your story. Then ask 1–2 children to share how they came to know and love Jesus. If the children do not know what to share, ask things like: When did you first hear about God’s love? Tell us about how you became a Christian. How is your life different now than before you knew Jesus? Thank the children who shared.
We will now thank God for this amazing gift. If you have already accepted God’s gift of salvation and decided to follow Jesus, make a heart shape with your fingers and place it over your heart. If you have not yet given your life to Jesus, make a heart shape with your fingers and hold it out in front of you as a way of saying you are not sure.
Dear Father God, we are so thankful that Jesus made a way for those who accept His free gift to become a part of Your family and live with You forever in heaven. If we have questions, please show us the answers. If we already belong to Your family, help us to share that with others.
Close class by praying this blessing, based on Acts 2:28, over the children:
Blessing: God has made known to you the paths of life. He loves you and has a home in heaven for all who believe in Him. May He fill you with joy in His presence, today and forever.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
