The Christian faith provides hope like no other, especially when a person looks to the future and considers death. How so? It’s the promise of heaven. This then begs the question: "How can anyone actually know they'll go to heaven?” When we look to faithfully answer that question in scripture, we see that the promise of heaven is personal, relational, and it is all real because of Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. When was the last time you thought about death? Is it something you try to avoid thinking about, or is it something you can’t stop thinking about? Why?

2. God promises Heaven, life after death, to those who believe in Christ. What would you like to see in Heaven? What do you think Heaven will look and feel like? Then ask yourself/each other, “These pictures of Heaven are exciting, but are they based on Scripture?” Let your imagination be fueled with God’s Word.

3. Read and consider Colossians 3:1. What have you been doing to set your heart on things above? What have you been doing to focus your faith on the promise of Heaven?

4. Use this time together to encourage one another with the excitement and joy that the promise of life forever with Jesus brings.

For Families with Kids

1. As a family, read and memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:11 together.

2. Jesus rose from the grave, defeating sin and death after He died for our sins. Placing our trust in Jesus, we can look forward to being with Him forever. What excites you about being with Jesus forever? What do you think it will look like to be in Heaven with Him? Write down a list of words or draw a picture to share those thoughts with one another.

3. Continue to encourage each other about how Jesus has wiped away all sin from our lives by showing forgiveness when it is needed, and by building one another up in Jesus’ death-defeating love by showing one loving gesture in your home this week.