MESSAGE NOTES AND INDIVIDUAL/GROUP REFLECTION QUESTIONS, 1/19/25
When it comes to faith, everyone has doubts. What are yours? Questions and doubts are not the enemy of faith. They’re the path to a deeper faith. Whether a longtime Christian or brand new to faith, we are hoping you realize that our compassionate God is not afraid of the hard questions you have and you don’t have to be either.
This week, we will focus on the question: What to do with heaven and hell?
CONNECT
Who and what has shaped your view the most about heaven and hell? What are the questions you have about heaven and hell?
REFLECT
Read the back page background information about what the Bible says about heaven and hell. What information is new to you, confusing, and clarifying? How does this compare to what you have believed or been taught about heaven and hell? What doubts does this bring up?
Read the parable in Luke 16:19-31. What is Jesus describing? What are the spiritual truths found in this parable? How does this text compare with Daniel 12:2-3?
Read about resurrected heavenly bodies in 1 Corinthians 15:35-53, the final judgment Revelation 20:12-15 and new heavens and earth see Revelation 21:1-4. What questions does this bring forth in your mind? What feelings does it stir with in you?
In contrast to all the judgment, take a moment to review these passages: Psalm 103:11-14, John 3:16-17, 1 Timothy 2:3-4. And then read the quote below from Pastor Jodi’s Sunday message. What are these passages telling you about God’s heart for His people, whom He created? How does this quote help you to reconcile why God allows people to end up in hell?
“God is constantly looking to save and rescue people, especially those who feel far away from God and particularly those who have done the wrong thing instead of the right thing. The life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus are meant to wash over us and help us feel what it means to be loved that much. God is constantly reaching out to us, wooing us, longing for us to know God’s love, but God will not force any of us into a relationship. That’s not much of a relationship, when we are forced. Some people continually reject God’s love, grace and mercy.”
PRAYER
Holy and loving God, thank you for the gift of life and the promise of eternal life. Thank you that you accept our questions and our doubts, especially when we wonder if your promises of forgiveness and heaven seem too good to be true. Help us come to understand the reality of your judgment in contrast to Your love. May the hope of Christ spur us on to care deeply about the souls of others. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.
RESOURCE
Wrestling with Doubt Finding Faith – Adam Hamilton
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON HEAVEN & HELL
In the Hebrew Old Testament, the word used to denote the realm of the dead is sheol (see Psalm 31:17). This is the closest word for hell in the Old Testament Hebrew. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The Greek New Testament equivalent to sheol is hades, which is also a general reference to “the place of the dead.” (see Luke 16:23)
Sheol/Hades is divided into a place of paradise – “heaven” and a place of torment – “hell’. (See Luke 16:23-26). Jesus used paradise as a synonym for heaven, and the word has come to be associated with any place of ideal loveliness and delight (see Luke 23:43). The Greek word gehenna is used in the New Testament for “hell” (see Matthew 5:29; 23:33). The word is derived from the Hebrew word ge-hinnom, which designated a valley south of Jerusalem—a cursed place that had been the site of human sacrifice.
Upon death, the souls of those who have faith in Christ’s work on the cross go directly into the presence of God—the part of sheol called “paradise.” All others end up in the part known as gehenna “hell”. Sheol/Hades seem to act as a temporary place where souls are kept as they await the final return of Christ. Once Christ returns (see Revelation 19:11-16), those who have rejected Christ will experience a final judgment and be extinguished in the lake of fire as their final hell and destination (see Revelation 20:12-15). Meanwhile, those who had faith in Christ will receive a resurrected body (see 1 Corinthians 15:35-53) and eternal life with God (see John 3:16) in the new heaven and earth (see Revelation 21:1-4).
THREE-PART PRAYER FOR SACREDNESS OF LIFE, MLK, AND NATION’S LEADERSHIP
We want to be a church that helps bring renewal to our world. We believe part of that responsibility involves prayer. Last week, we prayed for the fires in LA, this week we will pray for holding all life sacred, the need for the ongoing fight for justice for all reflected by Dr. MLK and our country’s future leadership.
Part 1: Acknowledging the Sacredness of All Life
Gracious God, who is our Creator, Lord and Savior–
We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for creating all women and men in Your image. Thank You for the sacredness of life You have woven into every human being—regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, or economic status. You have given us the profound gift of life, from the tiniest child in the womb to those imprisoned for just or unjust causes. Help us to endlessly acknowledge, honor and protect this truth that all people are made in your image.
Leader: Lord in your mercy All: Hear our prayer.
Part 2: Remembering the Legacy of MLK for Justice and Equality
As we reflect on caring about the sacredness of all human beings, we thank You for the life and ministry of Dr. King, for his relentless and sacrificial efforts to bring justice and equality to all. Forgive us for how easily we forget the sacrifices of those who have fought for freedom and the ongoing struggles of those still experiencing injustice. Open our eyes, Lord, to see the world beyond our places of privilege. Stir in us a desire to walk humbly with You, to love mercy, stand for justice and care for others like Jesus did.
Leader: Lord in your mercy All: Hear our prayer.
Part 3: Praying for Nations Leadership and Unity
Father, with inauguration day upon us, we lift up our country to You. May our leaders seek Your wisdom, Your justice, and Your will above their own agendas and egos. Protect them from the forces of evil and guide them in serving all people with integrity and humility. And Lord, help us as a people to discover our role in having honest discussion, taking action, while at the same time promoting unity over division.
Leader: Lord in your mercy All: Hear our prayer.