Curriculum
In Heaven Forever
Memory Verse:
“They can no longer die; they are like the angels.” Luke 20:36 (NIV)
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
The religious leaders didn’t like Jesus or His teachings, so they tried to trick Him with difficult questions. But Jesus answered their questions with grace and truth—giving them new hope. Heaven will be amazing! It will be different from our life here on earth.
Scripture Summary
Many religious leaders didn’t like Jesus and were threatened by His teachings. The two main groups of leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees, often tried to trick Jesus by trapping Him in an unanswerable question. Because they only followed the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), the Sadduccees didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead as there is no account of this in these first five books.
Jesus didn’t fall for this trap (or any of the traps set by the Pharisees and Sadducees). He not only addressed their question about marriage, but Jesus also answered their question about the resurrection. The Sadducees wanted to know if seven brothers were each married to the same woman after the previous brother died, who would the woman be married to in heaven. Jesus replied that relationships will be different in heaven. We shouldn’t consider heaven as a simple continuation of this life here on earth.
More importantly, Jesus addressed the Sadducees’ wonderings about the resurrection itself. To give credence to His answer, Jesus quoted Moses, a trusted authority among the Sadducees. With confidence and truth, Jesus upheld the concept of resurrection—that there is life after death. Jesus didn’t discount their question. He went further with His answer to speak truth and to give them hope.
Why Is This Important
We have hope in the authority and teachings of Jesus. He affirms that heaven and the resurrection are real and that all those who follow Him can look forward to eternity with Him.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4)
In the midst of today’s news, politics, and health crises, it can be tough to imagine a time void of death, tears, and pain. But that’s just what heaven will be—a place of eternal bliss.
Scripture paints a beautiful picture of heaven with many mansions, streets of gold, and intricate architecture complete with jewels. Better yet, there will be an enormous crowd of people from every country, speaking different languages, all worshipping God together.
Teachers have found creative ways to describe heaven to children. As their brains are developing, children often need help bridging the gap between the abstract and the concrete. While they’re living their everyday lives here on earth, it’s hard to imagine another place for eternity. Here are just a few ways I’ve heard heaven explained to children:
- Heaven is like a big birthday party.
- Think of your best day ever. Heaven is like that— every day.
- Heaven is like an all-you-can-eat buffet with servers bringing food right to your table.
- No one is ever sad in heaven. Ever.
Ponder your answers to these questions:
- Which one of these descriptions of heaven most resonates with you? Why?
- What description would you add to the list?
Take a moment to thank God for such a beautiful description of what’s to come. And be real with Him as you identify things in your life that distract you from hoping in Him.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for what’s to come in heaven. Please help me continue to keep my eyes and hope fixed on You when I experience hurt and pain. I’m excited to spend eternity with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
“And they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.” Luke 20:36 (NIV)
Tell kids that they’re going to learn a verse about heaven because heaven will be amazing.
Lead kids in the following motions to learn the memory verse.
- And they can no longer die; (Kids fall down and pretend to die.)
- for they are like the angels. (Kids sit up and flap their arms like wings.)
- They are God’s children, (Kids put their hands on their heart.)
- since they are children of the resurrection. (Kids rise up off the floor.)
- Luke 20:36
Repeat this several times.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bibles, Large sheets of paper, Markers, Tape
Read Revelation 21:1-8.
SAY: Heaven will be amazing. Today we’re going to create a Museum of Heaven from what the Bible says about heaven.
Assign the following Scriptures to individuals or groups of kids de- pending on how many kids you have. You’ll need to help younger kids come up with ideas.
- Revelation 21:2
- Revelation 21:3
- Revelation 21:4
- Revelation 21:5-7
- Revelation 21:8
After kids have created their drawings, tape their pictures in order on the wall.
Then re-read Revelation 21:1-8, stopping at each Scripture drawing to discuss what kids have drawn.
AFTERWARD, ASK: What did you learn about heaven? What surprised you about heaven? What do you think are some of the most wonderful things about heaven?
Snack
Heavenly Snack
You’ll Need: Graham crackers, White icing, Blue food coloring, Gold sprinkles, Plastic knives, Mini marshmallows, Plates, Napkins
Get Ready: Use blue food coloring to dye the white icing blue.
Read Revelation 21:21 to help kids know that heaven will be amazing. Have kids follow these instructions to make this heavenly snack.
- Lay a graham cracker on your plate.
- Spread blue icing on the cracker.
- Add gold sprinkles to make a road down the middle.
- Add mini marshmallows along each side to represent the pearly gates.
- Enjoy!
Game
Resurrection Freeze Tag
Have kids play this version of Freeze Tag. Choose one child to be the tagger who freezes kids. Choose another child to be Jesus.
Tell kids to run and play. When they are frozen, it is only Jesus who can bring them back to life.
Play again with different children being the taggers.
AFTERWARD, ASK: What have you learned about the resurrection today? What questions do you have about the resurrection?
Craft
Cloud Dough Craft
You’ll Need: “In Heaven Forever How-To Video”, Large bowl, Measuring cups, Large spoon or spatula, Cornstarch, Hair conditioner, Small resealable bags
SAY: When we think that heaven will be amazing, we often think of clouds. Today we’re going to make and enjoy Cloud Dough to help us remember that heaven is going to be filled with only good things.
Help kids follow these instructions. (You can increase the recipe de- pending on the number of kids you have.)
- Mix together:
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup conditioner
- Stir until the mixture becomes stiff.
Give each child a portion of the Cloud Dough to knead. Kids can play with the dough and then take it home in a resealable bag.
Prayer
The Lord is Great Prayer
Lead children in this call and response prayer based on Psalm 145:1- 5, 17-19. After you read each verse, have kids say, “The Lord is great.”
“I praise your greatness, my God the King. I will praise You forever and ever.”
The Lord is great.
“I will praise you every day. I will praise You forever and ever.”
The Lord is great.
“The Lord is great. He is worthy of our praise. No one can under- stand how great He is.”
The Lord is great.
“Parents will tell their children what You have done. They will retell Your mighty acts.”
The Lord is great.
“Wonderful majesty and glory. And I will think about Your miracles.”
The Lord is great.
“Everything the Lord does is right. With love He takes care of all He has made.”
The Lord is great.
“The Lord is close to everyone who prays to Him, to all who truly pray to Him.”
The Lord is great.
“He gives those who fear Him what they want. He listens when they cry, and He saves them.”
The Lord is great.
Amen.
