Who is going to heaven? Who is going to hell? Who decides who goes where? That’s a good question. Unfortunately, the answer is not very satisfying. Want to talk about it? Me either. But we need to… so let’s talk about it.

2 Peter 3:8-13

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Discipleship Conversation Questions:

For Adult Homes or Groups

1. Read 2 Peter 3:8-13.

2. Share a time that someone you loved experienced suffering. Although you were not the one suffering, describe your thoughts and feelings during that time. Were you able to help in any way to alleviate the suffering? If you were able to help, how did you help?

3. In the same way that it pained you to see a loved one struggle and you wanted to help, God also does not find pleasure in our daily struggles, much less our perishing. If someone who is struggling asked you if God cared for them in their suffering, how could you respond to reassure them that God cares?

4. Although God is able to help, He doesn’t always help in the way we want. People still suffer and we can’t explain exactly why God allows any given suffering to take place. How difficult is it for you to admit “I don’t know” when faced with these unanswerable questions?

5. Pray together that God gives us the confidence to share the things we believe, but the humility to admit the things we cannot know.

For Families with Kids

1. Read 2 Peter 3:8 with your family: “Dear friends, here is one thing you must not forget. With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years. And a thousand years are like
a day.”

2. What is one of the days you are most excited about each year and why (e.g. birthday, Christmas, vacation, etc.)?

3. Do you prefer to celebrate that day alone or with friends and family? Why is that your preference?

4. Talk about why we look forward to celebrating when Jesus returns, making sure to mention that God wants all of His children to be celebrating with Him on that day.

5. Pray that God gives us patience as we await celebrating together
on the day Jesus returns.