Scripture Passage: Daniel 12:1-4

Daniel 12:2 states: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

What the Bible Teaches About Hell

1. Hell is a horrible place. | The Scriptures are loaded with statements regarding the horror of Hell. Whether these are figurative or literal depends on one’s interpretation but all these statements should be taken seriously.

2. Hell is an avoidable place. | God loves us so much that He has placed a blockade between Hell and us — the cross of Jesus Christ. You’ll have to climb over that cross to get to Hell. Jesus has paid your penalty so you don’t have to go! Don’t reject the cross. There’s a better way — an alternative — and that’s to let Jesus receive your punishment and you receive Jesus.”

Amen! And speaking of Heaven:

1. Heaven is an exhilarating place. | According to 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 — “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’ these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” Many of us grew up thinking heaven was going to be clouds, harps and boring, but according to Scripture, we were extremely misled! Heaven will be incredible!

2. Heaven is a holy place. | Heaven is holy because God is holy and He’s there.

3. Heaven is an exclusive place. | Heaven will be that place with no more sickness, pain, sorry, death or problems and Jesus said there’s only one-way to get there — through Him. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) As a Believer in Christ, I want to take as many people with me as possible!

Talk About It:

1. Do you believe Heaven and Hell are real places? (According to a Pew Poll, 72% of Americans believe in Heaven, but only 58% of Americans believe in Hell.) What Scripture passages (evidence) do you have that backs up your belief?

2. If Hell wasn’t a real place and there was only Heaven, would that effect God’s character? What does the doctrine of Hell and Heaven tell us about God? Why does that matter?

3. If you asked your family member, co-worker, neighbor or friend, “Do you believe in Heaven and/or Hell?” what would they say? If you asked them, “Which one do you think you are going to?” what would they say? (Challenge yourself or you family to actually conduct this experiment this week. Discuss the results at dinner one night.)

Resources:

Teaching Kids About Heaven
by Randy Alcorn

Explaining Hell To Our Children
by Pastor John Piper