Introduction: The Urgency of Eternity
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s both profound and vital to our faith journey: Heaven and Hell. As young believers, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of school, activities, and social life, but we must not forget the eternal perspective. Understanding Heaven and Hell can shape our choices, our relationships, and our purpose in life. So, let’s buckle up and embark on this journey together!
Bible Reading: Matthew 25:31-46
As you read this passage, imagine the scene and pay attention to the significance of eternal destinies.
_”When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
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. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (NIV)*
Explanation For Teenagers: Heaven and Hell
- Heaven: Heaven is the place of eternal joy, peace, and communion with God. It’s where all believers will be in the presence of God forever, experiencing the fullness of His love and glory.
- Hell: Hell is the place of eternal separation from God, a state of punishment for those who reject God and His offer of salvation. It’s a real place of suffering and darkness, where there is no escape or relief.
Bible Reading: John 3:16-17
Reflect on the famous words of Jesus, as He explains the heart of salvation.
_”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (NIV)*
Explanation For Teenagers: Eternity and Salvation
- Salvation: God’s love for us is demonstrated in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Salvation is the free gift offered to everyone who believes in Jesus, repenting of their sins and accepting Him as their Savior. It’s not based on our works but on God’s grace and mercy.
- Eternity: Our life on Earth is temporary, but our souls are eternal. Where we spend eternity depends on our response to God’s invitation of salvation. Accepting Jesus leads to eternal life in Heaven, while rejecting Him leads to eternal separation in Hell.
Youth Group Discussion:
- Why is it essential for us, as teenagers, to think about eternity and salvation in our daily lives?
- How does understanding Heaven and Hell impact the way we treat others and share the Gospel?
- What are some common misconceptions about Heaven and Hell that you’ve come across? How can we address them?
- How does God’s love, as shown in John 3:16-17, give us hope and reassurance in our faith journey?
Youth Group Game: “Eternity Run”
Objective: To help participants grasp the concept of eternity and make wise choices for their eternal destiny.
Instructions:
- Mark a starting line and an endpoint.
- Divide the group into two teams: Team Heaven and Team Hell.
- Scatter several cones or markers along the course.
- The facilitator will call out scenarios (e.g., helping a friend in need, sharing the Gospel, showing kindness to others) as participants run from the starting line to the endpoint.
- If a scenario aligns with Heaven’s values, participants from Team Heaven should touch the cone/marker and return to the starting line.
- If a scenario aligns with Hell’s values, participants from Team Hell should touch the cone/marker and return to the starting line.
- After a few rounds, gather both teams and discuss the impact of their choices on their eternal destiny.
Closing Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your great love and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Help us, as teenagers, to understand the urgency of eternity and the importance of our choices. Guide us to live in a way that brings glory to you and spreads your love to others. May we hold fast to the truth of Heaven and Hell, and may it motivate us to share the Gospel fearlessly.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Remember, awesome youth, that you are deeply loved by God, and your faith journey is an exciting adventure. Keep exploring His Word, growing in your understanding of eternity, and sharing the Good News with those around you. God has incredible plans for each one of you! Let’s live for eternity, starting right here, right now.
I just want to say how thankful I am for the material you are sharing for teaching our youth about the word of God. I’m thankful for the gift God provides to those who teach. Some have it, some don’t. Unfortunately I’m one that struggles, but I want so hard for the kids I try to teach to understand how good our God is & that He cares about them more than they will ever know; how though His word was written so many years ago, is still relative to our lives today. Running across your website was a gift & I’m thankful for God’s guidance to it. I pray that He continue to bless you and this website. Thank you, thank you, thank you.