GLC Believe

OW One Way: Biblical Foundations 1

Leader’s Guide: Session 4 of 4
Course Outline Summary Duration Tools to Use

I CONNECT 10 minutes

Opening Prayer An opening prayer of thanksgiving and seeking 2 minutes

guidance to be led by session leader

Introduction Short description and overview of the session 2 minutes Leader’s Guide

Icebreaker Go through “Written on stone” or “My first day 6 minutes Leader’s Guide
in heaven” activity.
Materials (if necessary)

II COMMUNICATE 60 minutes

Session Outline Biblical Foundations 1 Leader’s Guide

Overview
I. Heaven or hell: Our eternal destiny Student’s Handout

II. Life in Hell PPT

III. Life in Heaven

IV. Conclusion

III CATCH 15 minutes

Allow the class to ask questions. Leader’s Guide

Class goes through process questions. Student’s Handout

PPT

Group Facilitator (if

available)

III CONCLUDE 5 minutes

Key Points Summary of session overview 3 minutes

Closing Prayer 2 minutes

TOTAL SESSION TIME 90 minutes

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 ONE WAY
Session 4
The Reality of Heaven and Hell

CONNECT
Written on stone
Ask the group to think about a title or phrase they would want engraved on their tombstone. What
words would they want said about them? How would you want to be remembered by those you
leave behind? Give members turns sharing what they think.

Alternative: My first day in heaven

Allow students to reflect on the question: What are the things you wish you could be able to do on
your first day in heaven? Give time for the group to share their ideas.

COMMUNICATE

Introduction

Psalm 90:10 “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty
years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; for soon it is gone and we fly away.”

(Teacher’s explanation: The Bible says that our physical life lasts only 70 to 80 years. This means that
we will be spending a far longer time in eternity. Wouldn’t it be wise to know where we’ll spend it?
There is a lot of confusion today about what happens after death. Most of it comes from false
teaching and from unbelief. Life after death and eternal destiny have been the preoccupying
thoughts of people since time in memorial. Most people resorted to all sorts of things and activities
just to find certainty on where they are going when they die.)

I. Heaven or Hell: Our Eternal DESTINY

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall sleep, or
to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.”

(Is there really life after death? Where do we go when we die? What happens to our dead loved ones?
Where are they now? How can I be sure of where I am going? These are also the questions and
concerns of the believers at Thessalonica 2,000 years ago. Until now, people have the same concern.
In fact, at some point in our lives we have asked these questions ourselves, especially when we go to
wakes or funeral services of friends, loved ones, co-workers or somebody we personally know of.
Truth is, we can know about all these things. We need not be ignorant of this very, if not, most
important concern of our lives. The Bible has given us a most trustworthy explanation of what heaven
and hell are and the eternal destiny that awaits those who are in the Lord and those who are not in
Him.)
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 A. Jesus is the only AUTHORITY in matters of eternal destiny.
John 3:12-13 “I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will
you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one
who came from heaven--the Son of Man.”

(However, no less than Jesus Himself personally tells us in the Bible that heaven and hell are
very real places and the only two possible destinations of mankind after death. Jesus then
asserts that He is the only one who has come from Heaven, that’s why He had the authority to
talk about our eternal destiny and the future things that awaits all the people of the world. It
is on the basis of Jesus’ authoritative knowledge on the matter of what happens after death
that we will believe what He said about the subject as recorded in the Bible. The Bible then is
our most reliable and dependable source of the truth about heaven and hell.)

B. Physical Death is INESCAPABLE.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under
heaven: a time to be born and a time to die…”

Hebrews 9:27 “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”

(One thing that is certain; we will all die physically. Physical death is the separation of the
body (material) and the soul (immaterial). But as it is, the separation of body and soul through
bodily death is one of life’s certainties. We do not know when, but it is coming. It is just a
matter of time. That is why we should be preparing for our eternal destiny thought it appears
we are too busy with our lives here on earth --- that which is only temporary. Sometimes we
focus on the temporary when in fact we have the whole of eternity to worry about. Others try
to avoid the issue of death and do all their best just to prolong their life on earth. Whether we
like it or not, the hard truth is that we will all face our Maker one day. Regardless of race,
status in life, educational background, gender, rich or poor, young or old, etc. we will all return
to dust. We are all destined to die and after that we will face judgment.)

C. All people will face JUDGMENT.

Revelation 20:11-15 “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth
and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great
and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened,
which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded
in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the
dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then
death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If
anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

(The final and grand Judgment day will take place at the end of times. What is Judgment Day?
It is the day when all of us will need to give an account to God for every word, every thought,
every motive and action we have done while on earth. After we die, we will all stand before

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 God and face judgment. At judgment, everybody will be sentenced to eternity whether in
heaven or in hell. At judgment, all will give account of themselves to God, and God through
Christ will give to each person according to what he has done. Everybody will receive a destiny
commensurate with the choices they have made while on earth and the way of life they have
chosen. After death there is no possibility of salvation for the lost—from then on both the
godly and the ungodly reap what they sowed in this life. Knowledge of future judgment should
prepare us for it.)

1. Eternity in Heaven for the BELIEVERS

(The name of all the believers of Jesus will be written in the book of life. If our names are
written in the book of life, we will spend eternal life in heaven with God. Christians, who as
servants of Christ have learned to love righteousness and desire the glory of a holy heaven,
will be acknowledged, and on the basis of Christ’s atonement and merit on their behalf
they will be awarded that which they seek.)

2. Eternity in Hell for the UNBELIEVERS

(It is also the day when those who have rejected the gift of forgiveness by Jesus Christ will
be rejected in turn. It is the day when all those who have not believed in Jesus Christ and
the sufficiency of His finished and redemptive work will realize where they will spend
eternity. Those are the people whose names are not found in the book of life. They will
spend eternity in hell with the devil and his demons.)

II. Life in Hell

(As believers of Jesus Christ, we are saved from spending eternal life in hell. One of the
greatest privileges of all believers is that they are going to spend eternity in heaven. We will
greatly appreciate what Christ has done to us if we will have an understanding of what Christ
has in store for us. We will also appreciate our salvation if we realize what we are saved
from.)

A. Hell is PREPARED for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

(God never intended hell to be the eternal destiny of man. It was prepared for the devil and his
demons. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, God has always provided a way to keep us out of
hell. Even if man does not reach out to God, it is always God that initiates contact. God wants
that his children will not suffer in hell. It is just so sad that people choose to go there whether
unknowingly or consciously. It is the goal of the devil to bring as many people as possible with
him to hell. Let us not become willing victims to the devil’s scheme.)

B. Hell is a place of eternal PUNISHMENT.

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 Revelation 20:14-15 “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire
is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown
into the lake of fire.”

(Hell is pictured in the Bible as a place of fire and darkness, of weeping and grinding of teeth,
of destruction, and of torment, in other words, of total distress and misery. Even if it is
symbolic rather than literal, all of these points to the nature of eternal punishment that the
people who reject Jesus’ offer of salvation will experience. If people will just realize and
capture the horror and terror of hell, maybe they will accept Christ’s offer of forgiveness and
eternal life in heaven. The Bible is quite clear and definite about the eternal destiny that
awaits those who reject Christ. The reality of hell, we can be sure of is beyond our imagination.
The reality of hell as portrayed in the Bible is so terrifying that it should draw us now to God in
humility, asking God’s mercy to spare us from experiencing it. The Bible’s teaching about hell
is meant to shock us and strike us dumb with horror, assuring us that, as heaven will be better
than we could dream, so hell will be worse than we can conceive. Such are the issues of
eternity, which need now to be boldly dealt with.)

C. Hell is a place of everlasting TORMENT and SUFFERING.

Matthew 13:50 “and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.”

Mark 9:48 “where " 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”

Rev. 20:10 “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning
sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day
and night forever and ever.”

(Hell is the unbeliever’s worst nightmare realized. Hell is so awful and terrifying that it is
beyond our imagination. With all these descriptions of hell, it is inconceivable for people to still
want to go there after preaching to them this truth. The Bible’s explanation and depiction is
substantial and convincing enough for us to stay away from going there. Remember hell is too
terrible for us to comprehend, so God uses images to help us understand. In hell, one’s senses
are still intact that unbelievers will experience its torment and suffering to the fullest degree
and severity. No words can ever explain the everlasting suffering, torment, misery, agony, etc.
of the people that will go there.)

RC Sproul has this to say about hell:

No human experience in this world is actually comparable to hell. If we try to imagine the
worst of all possible suffering in the here and now we have not yet stretched our imaginations
to reach the dreadful reality of hell. -- RC Sproul

D. Hell is a PERMANENT condition.

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 Luke 16:25-26 “But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your
good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in
agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those
who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'”

(In this passage, hell is described as a permanent condition. Once you are in Hell, it is a
permanent condition. There is no escaping. You are there forever. There is nothing that you
can do about it. There’s no way out. It is for eternity. Jesus emphasizes the point that there is
no second chance or possibility of relief from this agony. The rich man’s request for relief was
denied.)

E. The punishment of hell is JUST.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is
patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Romans 1:18-20 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness
and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known
about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of
the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly
seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

(We might ask ourselves, how could a loving God send anyone to hell, especially someone who
has never heard about Christ? God is loving and just. It is God’s desire that all will come to
repentance and not perish. No one will receive this eternal punishment which he/she does not
deserve. Everybody has the chance to know God. In fact, says Paul, God has revealed Himself
plainly in creation to all people. And yet people reject even the most basic notion and
knowledge of God. Everyone has an inner sense of what God requires, but they choose not to
live up to it. God has given us our conscience to remind us of God. But we choose to follow our
own sinful desires. Put another way, people’s moral standards are always better than their
behavior. If people suppress God’s truth in order to live their own way, they have no excuse.
They know the truth, and they will have to endure the consequences of ignoring it.
Consequently, God will use the believers to reach out to the people who have not yet heard
the gospel. But even if they are not reached by the gospel, they still have no excuse.)

III. Life in Heaven

(What does life in heaven look like? What will be the experience of the saved in heaven? What
can we expect that will happen in heaven? All these interesting and intriguing questions and
more are answered in the Bible. We will examine the Bible to address these concerns.)

A. Eternal Life with GOD

Rev. 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with
men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and
be their God.”

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 (To be with God is the greatest blessing that we can ever experience. God’s intention from the
beginning is to have fellowship with humans. It led him to his creating the human race, then to
his dwelling in the tabernacle and the temple, then to his coming in the incarnation and finally
to his taking humans to be with him in heaven. Sometimes, especially in popular
presentations, heaven is depicted as primarily a place of great physical pleasures, a place
where everything we have most desired here on earth is fulfilled to the ultimate degree. Thus
heaven seems to be merely earthly (even worldly) conditions applied. The correct perspective
however is to see the basic nature of heaven as the presence of God, from which all the
blessings of heaven follow. There is nothing like to be in the presence of God. We can now see
God face to face and Jesus as well who has given Himself for us. What a day of rejoicing it will
be when finally we will meet our Savior and Lord.)

B. ABSENCE of the Devil, Sin and Evil

Rev. 21:4 “He 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.”

Rev. 20:10 “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the
beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

(Heaven will also be characterized by the removal of all forms, structures and effects of sin
and evil. Being with His people, 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. The very
source of evil, the one who tempts us to sin, will also be gone. The presence of the perfect holy
God and the spotless lamb means that there will be no sin or evil of any kind.)

C. Perfected RELATIONSHIPS
Hebrews 12:22-24 “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of
the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to
the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the
judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new
covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

Rev. 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with
men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and
be their God.”

(In heaven there will be some type of community or fellowship among believers and with God.
We were originally created for communion and fellowship with God and with one another.
When sin came in, that communion and fellowship was broken. Through Jesus Christ’s
sacrifice on the cross, the fellowship was restored. Heaven then is a place of perfected
relationships. We will experience relationship in its purest and best form. Scripture teaches us
to form our notion of the life of heaven as a perfect relationship with God the Father, the Son,
and the Spirit, with other Christians, and with all of the created things. It is a perfect
relationship that is free from all limitation, frustration, and failure. What a joy to experience
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 relationships without all forms of pain, evil, conflict, and distress, unlike what we experience
here on earth.)

D. Perfect GLORY and BEAUTY

Rev. 21:18-21 “The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as
glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious
stone. The first foundation was jasper,the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth
emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the
ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The
twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city
was of pure gold, like transparent glass.”

Rev. 21:23 “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of
God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”

(Since glory is the very nature of God, heaven will be a place of great glory. Images suggesting
immense size or brilliant light depict heaven as a place of unimaginable splendor, greatness,
excellence and beauty. It is likely that while John’s vision employs metaphors those items
which we think of as being most valuable and beautiful, the actual splendor of heaven far
exceeds anything that we have yet experienced. Indeed, what a wonderful place to be in!)

E. Perfect WORSHIP of God

Revelation 19:1-8 “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in
heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and
just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her
adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants." And again they shouted:
"Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever." The twenty-four elders and the
four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they
cried: "Amen, Hallelujah!" Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you
his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!" Then I heard what sounded like a great
multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him
glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine
linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear."

(From these depictions of heaven it appears that its inhabitants regularly praise and worship
God. Consequently, we may expect that the redeemed will be engaged in similar activity
following the Lord’s coming, the great judgment and the establishment of his heavenly
kingdom. In this sense, genuine believers will continue the activity they engaged in while on
earth. Our worship and praise here and now are preparation and practice for future
employment of our hearts and voices. Nothing is compared to the extravagance and grandeur
of the worship that will take place in heaven. If we are amazed at the kind of worship
celebrations that ever existed on earth, how much more will it be in heaven? All the glory,
splendor, talents, skills, craftsmanship, artistry, etc. that are perfected in heaven would be

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 really something that is beyond imagination. The best worship experience that we have on
earth is nothing in comparison to what will take place in heaven.)

IV. Conclusion

(The reality of heaven and hell should awaken us. We need to come up with a proper response
towards these spiritual truths. God has given us these truths so that we will be warned and
prepared for our eternal destiny. It is also very important to plan courses of action before it is
too late for us and our loved ones that have not yet heard the wonderful news of the gospel.)

A. Make sure our OWN Salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not
see life, for God's wrath remains on him.”

(Knowing all these truths will compel us to make sure our own standing before God. We must
be certain and assured of our own salvation. We must examine ourselves if we are really
saved. If we refuse to believe in Jesus, we will only have a “terrifying expectation of judgment
and the fury of a fire which will consume (God’s) adversaries”. Knowing clearly our eternal
destiny, we cannot but be certain where we are going. Heaven should be our final eternal
destiny.)

B. Strive for the Salvation of OTHERS.

Romans 10:13-15 “for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then,
can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of
whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And
how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those
who bring good news!"

(The beauty of heaven and the terrors of hell can serve as great MOTIVATORS for believers to
spread the gospel, most especially to their loved ones. We must endeavor to reach out to the
most number of people so that they too will have salvation. We do not want to keep to
ourselves the wonderful news of the existence of heaven. We want others to be part of this
exciting eternal destiny that is available to them. We must also warn others of the impending
judgment that will come upon them that do not have a saving relationship with Jesus.)

C. Pay CAREFUL attention to God’s warning.

Matthew 13:48-50 “When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat
down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at
the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and
throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”

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 (While Jesus was on earth, he goes about warning the people of the coming judgment. God is
still warning us today. It is no accident that you are here today listening to this message. The
purpose of Bible teaching about heaven and hell is to make us appreciate, thankfully embrace,
and reasonably prefer the grace of Christ that saves us from hell. It is really a mercy to
mankind that God in Scripture is so explicit about heaven and hell. We cannot now say that we
have not been warned. The question now is: How do we respond to this urgent warning?)

Illustration: Lazarus, Rich Man and Abraham

Luke 16:27-28
“He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let
him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'”

(The rich man while in hell suddenly became an evangelist, wanting his brothers to be spared of the
agony that he was experiencing. The rich man was so concerned about his brothers that he wanted
Lazarus to warn them? But what was Abraham’s response to the Rich Man’s request?)

Luke 16:29 (NIV)

“Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'”

(In verse 29, Abraham talks about MOSES and the PROPHETS, which refers to the Old Testament.
Abraham was saying that since they had the Scriptures, they should have read it and been warned.
The Bible is given to warn us all of the impending judgment. The same applies to us today.)

Luke 16:30-31 (NIV)

“No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' He said
to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone
rises from the dead.'”

(In verses 30-31, the rich man pleads for a supernatural occurrence to happen because his brothers
wouldn’t believe the Bible even if they read it and would only be convinced if someone rose from the
dead. What was Abraham’s response? Abraham declared that the rich man’s brother would not
respond to a supernatural event since they do not respond to the Word of God. Again, the same is
true of us today. Many know of the resurrection of Jesus rising from the dead. And yet, many remain
unconvinced and refuse to believe. Or, if they do ‘believe’, remain unchanged. This shows us the true
condition of the hardened hearts of men. The Bible has been given to us to warn us of the impending
danger of spending eternity in Hell. But people just won’t listen.)

D. Heaven and Hell is a matter of PERSONAL choice.

John 3:11 “I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have
seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.

(Thus the words of Jesus still ring true with scathing accuracy. “I tell you the truth, we speak of
what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our
testimony. The same is true of us today. We too have a choice to make. Ours is a choice

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 between eternal fire or an escape into eternal life IN HEAVEN. The Bible tells us that
“whosoever should believe in Him, Jesus, shall not perish but have eternal life.” Is this the
reality you want? Then pray this prayer with me…)

CATCH
(Group facilitation)

1. Given the choice between heaven and hell, where would you want to live for eternity?

2. How should we live our lives here on earth knowing the reality of heaven and hell? What
changes will you make in your lifestyle in light of this reality?

LIFE APPLICATION

Eternal life begins the moment we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. If you want to
receive the gift of eternal life that is only found in Jesus, then pray this prayer of commitment from
your heart.

Pray this prayer:

Prayer of Commitment
“Lord Jesus, I need you. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. Thank you for dying on the cross so that I
need not pay for my sins in hell. I repent and ask You to forgive me and cleanse me of all my
unrighteousness. I now open my heart and ask You to enter into my life. Thank you for your
forgiveness and for Your gift of eternal life. Please change me and make me the kind of person You
want me to be. Amen.”

Allow students to reflect on how the reality of heaven and hell should translate to a change in our
lives. Encourage them to take specific steps as their response.

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