Adult Discussion for March 22 2009
Heaven
It must get awfully boring listening to me drone on and on reading articles from Wikipedia; besides this is supposed to be an Adult Discussion Group. So for next Sunday I propose a different approach to stimulate discussion. Instead of reading about Heaven, I will call upon each of you individually so that you may describe what you think of Heaven, and why you think it (e.g. a biblical reference).
Since I do not want to put anyone (except Pastor Chad) on the spot, I will now provide you with some sample questions, so that you can formulate your answers, as well as look up biblical references to support those answers. Remember, this is not a “Stump The Dummy” exercise – there are no incorrect correct answers and no passing grade – you will not go to Hell if you flunk this test. Any answer based on your own beliefs, hopes, and viewpoints is a correct answer. And if we don’t get around to quizzing you next week in Adult Discussion, don’t feel left out – there’s always the following week (and the rest of your life for that matter.)
Let’s assume that you have made the cut, by whatever means, and have been “Saved”.”
Welcome to Heaven! Now What!
What do you hope and/or believe you will experience for all eternity?
Will you have “immortality of your soul"?
Will you also have “resurrection of the body?”
Will they both happen immediately after you die?
Or will you have to wait for the Final Judgment?
Is Heaven a physical place e.g. up in the clouds, or a spiritual place?
If Heaven is a spiritual place, how can it hold physical things such as your resurrected body?
Will your resurrected body be “perfect” in the sense that there will be no sickness and no disabilities?
Or in the sense that all women will be perfect “10”s and no men will have pot bellies and/or bald heads?
The Bible addresses “resurrection of the soul” and “resurrection of the body” but not “resurrection of the robes.” Will we all be “naked and unashamed” like Adam and Eve pre-Fall?
Will you be completely fulfilled by experiencing God alone, or will you also be aware of others? e.g. will you even recognize your earthly family and others in Heaven?
Will you be joyful that some of your earthly loved ones are with you in Heaven, and sad that others are not?
Or can there be no sadness in Heaven?
Is there more than one level of Heaven e.g. Seventh Heaven?
Is Heaven the same as Paradise?
As Eden?
Is “Heaven” the same as “The Kingdom of Heaven.”
Is Heaven the same as “Eternal Life”, i.e. immortality?
What is the difference between the “Millennial Reign of Christ” and the “New Heavens and New Earth”?
What will you actually do in Heaven?
Will you devote all your time to singing and praising God?
Or will you partake of an everlasting banquet? (If so, who has to wash the dishes?)
Or will you be devoting your energies to those who were less fortunate than you on earth? (You know that “love your neighbor“ thing.)
2 comments:
Heaven... I'm in heaven...
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak-
And I seem to find the happiness I seek...
When were out together dancing cheek to cheek...
Sorry... couldn't help myself. I figure, you all know I'm reverently sacreligious.
Truthfully- heaven holds no motivation for me. I don't "believe" in order to get to heaven... nor to I "believe" out of fear of going to hell.
Having said that - Yes I do believe there is a heaven. But I figure it's not what we have been raised to believe - that there are a bunch of people dressed in white sitting on clouds, etc. I have the suspicion that "heaven" is a lot different than what we might think.
So, what's Heaven? Well, I think we're in spirit form... but still learning, still growing, etc. Closer to God -sure, I'll buy that. Am I going to have wings and strum a lyre - I doubt it.
Give me a minute here.......ok.....sorry, just trying to picture you with a lyre and wings. How about a Native American drum? I think that's easier to picture. And much more appropriate.
Heaven--I like to call it the next life. I don't think of it as the end result or the reward for being good on earth. That really trivializes what we go through here. Some people really have a tough life and they have to work harder to "stay on the path" than those who have very little strife.
I think that this life is a prep-school for "heaven". We have a lot to learn and to experience so that we can do well when we're finished here. And, for me, this helps to explain why there is such a disparity here on earth. Some people have harder lives here, but when they come through it, they are STRONG! And others have an easier time, but they are less "jaded". I think all of these qualities are needed and used when we pass on.
So I guess what I'm saying, is that heaven is our next life in which we spend our time helping others in some way, shape, or form. I don't picture it as a place to go to rest and relax. Really now, how long can you just sit around and do nothing?!
And this explains, Dave, why sometimes I just sit on the couch and eat bon-bons and watch tv :)
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