Heaven & Hell is a 3-week sermon study. Each week you will listen to a sermon from a different church about the what we know about Heaven and Hell. Hearing from three different churches allows your group to gain a unique perspective on a difficult topic. If your group has ever had questions about angels, what does heaven look like, what do we know about hell, or will I see my favorite pet again; this is an excellent survey study into the topic.

There is a PDF with a notes guide, discussion questions, and link to a playlist. This study also includes a worship playlist each week. The playlist is an extension of the sermons and encourage you to reflect on the topic of that week through song.

Group Study Plan

For your first session, each group member should come to group having watched the sermon from the homework for session one. The week before starting the study make sure that everyone has the link to the sermon and a copy of the homework reflection sheet (printed or digital).

Supplies:

Printed Homework Sheets (one per group member)

Homework Overview:

Session One: “A Voice from Hell” - Craig Groeschel from Life Church
Session Two: “Heaven, Part 3: The Age to Come” - Joel Thomas from North Point Community Church
Session Three: Heaven and Hell Q&A - Pastor J.R. Lee

Session One: Hell

Homework:

Watch the sermon “A Voice from Hell” - Craig Groeschel from Life Church.
Follow the video notes in the printable while watching the sermon
Answer the reflection questions
Listen to this week’s themed playlist (optional)

Reflection Questions

How did the version of hell you were taught shape your faith?
Why do you think people are uncomfortable discussing hell? Do you think this avoidance helps or hurts the church?
What does it mean to say that hell is not just “fire and torment” but the complete absence of God’s presence? How does that shape our understanding?
Did this sermon change your perspective about hell? Why or why not?

In Group Discussion Questions:

Why do you think people are uncomfortable discussing hell? Do you think this avoidance helps or hurts the church?
How does understanding Gehenna (with its historical background) change or deepen your view of what Jesus was teaching about hell?
What does it mean to say that hell is not just “fire and torment” but the complete absence of God’s presence? How does that shape our understanding?
Why do you think the rich man suddenly cared about others after it was too late? What does that reveal about human nature or spiritual blindness?
Some people struggle to reconcile a “loving God” with the idea of eternal punishment. How would you explain this tension to someone else? Or how are you wrestling with this now?

Session Two: Heaven

Homework:

Watch the sermon: “Heaven, Part 3: The Age to Come” - Joel Thomas from North Point Community Church Follow the notes and extra resources on the printable homework sheet.

Reflection Questions

When you think about heaven, what do you envision?
What’s something about this life you hope carries over into heaven?
While our spirits do leave our bodies and come into the presence of God, it's not until Jesus's return and our physical resurrection that we will fully enjoy the new heaven and new earth. When you think of the afterlife, do you spend more time thinking about what happens immediately after death, or what happens when Jesus returns and there is a bodily resurrection? Why do you tend to think of one more than the other?
Did this sermon change your perspective about heaven? Why or why not?

In Group Discussion Questions:

Do you have an attachment to the present earth? Why or why not?
How might a clearer picture of Heaven change the way you live your life right now?
Read Romans 8:19-23. How does this passage remind you that the world’s brokenness isn’t the end of the story?
When you feel weary or disappointed, how does the promise of restoration encourage you?
How might an eternal mindset help you handle stress, comparison, or the need to “have it all” in this season of life?
What was your reaction to the rope visual from the sermon? Did the rope visual change your perspective about our time on earth? How?

Session Three: Q&A

Homework:

Watch the Sermon: Heaven and Hell Q&A - Pastor J.R. Lee Follow the notes and extra resources on the printable homework sheet.

Reflection Questions

Which question(s) were answered in this video that you’ve always wondered?
Did any of the answers surprise you? Why or why not?
Are there any answers you disagree with? Why?
What questions do you still have that were not answered throughout this series?

In Group Discussion Questions:

Did you have any questions that Pastor Lee did not answer?
Since there is no marriage in heaven, what does this tell us about the completeness of our relationship with God in eternity?
Do you believe God allows people currently in heaven to know about earthly events? Why or why not?
Prior to this video, what did you believe about those who die by suicide going to heaven?
How does God’s justice and mercy give you hope for those who lose children?
How do you imagine memory playing a role in eternal worship and gratitude to God?
How do you personally define the difference between “knowing about Jesus” and “truly following Jesus”?

Special thank you to Taylor for writing this study. Our group had some excellent discussion from these questions. And she did an amazing job choosing sermons from different churches.