One Minute After You Die series 2023

August 4, 2023
thelakes
Series

One minute after you die

The questions you have about life after death — What is heaven like? How do I know I’ll be there? What if I’m not? — can leave you wondering, but they don’t mean you have to live in fear. We’ll explore what the New Testament has to say about heaven, hell and the afterlife. Discover why your ideas of life after death can change everything about your life today.

We’re talking about what happens ‘One Minute After You Die’ on Sunday 13/8 and Sunday 20/8 at The Lakes Church.

13/8 Is there life after death?

Is there life after death? In the first part of this series, we’ll explore the three things that happen when our life on this earth is done. The third thing might be the toughest to grasp—we’ll all face judgment, but who does the judging, and what will we be judged on? Your afterlife is dependent on the life you live now.

Discussion guide for week 1

Break the ice

What did you grow up believing about life after death?
What’s something from Sunday’s message that is influencing the way you think about life after death?
Why do you think it’s so easy to live most of life ignoring what happens after we die?

Read

2 Corinthians 5:1-4, 8-10

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.

Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

Other passages to explore

Hebrews 9:27-28
John 11:25-26
Luke 23:42-43
Philippians 1:20-23
1 Peter 1:17
Revelation 20:11-12, 15
Matthew 7:21-23

Discuss

What does the passage from 2 Corinthians 5 have to say about how we should live?
How do you already live like eternity matters? Are there any ways you’re living like it doesn’t?
What are some things you’d love to be known for when you meet Jesus in heaven?
What is one change you want to make to live with eternity in mind?

Pray

God, thank you that this life is not the end. Thank you for making a way for us, through Jesus, to spend eternal life with you. Holy Spirit, reveal to us the ways we are living with a short-term perspective. We want to do your will here while we’re on earth. Teach us how to live with eternity in mind. Amen!

This week

Have you joined the Bible reading plan? www.thelakes.church/oneminute
Ask someone you’re close friends with what they believe about heaven, hell, and eternity. Share with them what you believe.

20/8 Heaven or hell?

What is hell like? Is it really all that bad? Is it real at all? Do all people go to heaven? How good do I have to be to make it to heaven? If the afterlife lasts for an eternity, won’t I get bored? Discover the truth behind common myths about heaven, hell and the afterlife, and why accepting salvation means more than just being saved from an eternity in hell.

Discussion guide for week 2

Break the ice

On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable do you feel with your understanding of hell? Explain why.
Where have most of your views of hell come from?
What do you think heaven will be like? What do you hope to experience when you first enter?
Describe a moment when you felt like you experienced a piece of heaven.

Read

Matthew 7:13-14

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

Jesus will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.

Philippians 3:19-21

They think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Revelation 21:1, 3-5

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”