Chapter 13
A Future Life in a Better World

1.	Why are people willing to pay high fees for doctors’ services? 
To prolong life and make living here better/more enjoyable
To keep death away
2.	Why are professional entertainers and athletes valued so highly?
So they can distract us, keeping our minds off of things we don’t want to think about
3.	Why is death such an unpopular topic of conversation?
Because it makes people think of an end, and then having to face judgment
Because it makes people think of an afterlife
4.	What answer to death does God offer us?
A home in his dwelling place – heaven.  Life after death.

5.	How would you answer someone who questions whether there really is life after death?
-	Look at God’s words
-	Look at God’s actions
-	Consider what your conscience says to you in your fear of death and in the natural knowledge of God

Hope for an eternal future
1.	Name several ways God created the hope of a future life in his Old Testament people.
By reminding them he would raise the dead, restore creation to original perfection, right the wrong, and live with them forever

2.	Why is it significant that God calls himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
They were already dead, but if he is their God they must be living

3.	Sometimes an Old Testament person who died is described as being “gathered to his people.” Another person is described as “resting with his fathers.” What is the difference?
a.	“gathered to his people” – is a reference to a believer who has died
b.	“resting with his fathers” – is a reference to an unbeliever who has died

4.	What was God announcing to his Old Testament people by the way in which Enoch and Elijah left this world?
That there is another life awaiting God’s people
5.	Use Isaiah 26:19 to answer someone who says, “The Old Testament does not teach the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.” 
Yes, it does!  See how it says the dead will live and bodies will rise
6.	What information does the Old Testament give us about heaven?
Here are some different phrases the Old Testament uses to give glimpses of heaven:
-	Everlasting life
-	Death will be gone forever
-	He will right the wrongs
-	Restore creation to its original perfection

7.	What does the Old Testament say about hell? React to Thomas Jefferson’s statement: “A God who would condemn people to hell would be a monster and not a God.”
a.	It says it is a place of shame and everlasting contempt; it talks about how people will retain the awful ability to experience God’s eternal rejection.  Consider this passage from Isaiah: “And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.” (Isaiah 66:24)
b.	Thomas Jefferson conveniently forgot that God is also a just God.
*It might be valuable here to make a comment that helps alleviate a misconception in our society today.  Often times it is assumed that the founding fathers of our nation were Christians.  This, however, is not the case.  Many of the founding fathers were what we would call deists.  Others were actually atheists.  This quote from Thomas Jefferson shows that.

8.	What evidence do you see in the Old Testament that God’s people believed his promise about another life in a better world?
-	We see it in the name of Eve
-	We see it in words spoken by Jacob – “Look for your deliverance” 
-	We see it in words spoken by Job… 
25      I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
26      And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 
27       I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27)

9.	What does it mean to you that God has “set eternity” in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11)?
This life will end!  Another one exists!

10.	Agree or disagree: You will never be completely happy on earth because you were not made for this earth.
Agree – because this earth as we know it – infected with sin – was never intended

Eternal life in and with Christ
1.	Do you expect to live with Christ forever? Explain the reason for your answer.
Yes.  He told me I can through Christ’s work on my behalf

2.	How do many people believe that a person makes it to heaven? What’s on their lists? What’s on your list?
a.	Many believe they can get there by their own works; by doing this, that and the other thing (That’s what is on their list)
b.	On our list is one thing – Jesus Christ and his blood

3.	Why can you be sure that you will live forever with God?
Because it doesn’t depend on me, but on the forgiveness Jesus won 

4.	When, on judgment day, God asks you “Have you obeyed my law perfectly?” what will you answer?
As a believer, we really can answer one of two ways
-	Yes I did obey it perfectly, in Christ…
-	Or, no, but Christ did and you told me that counts for me
Either way, the end result is the same

5.	What connection does the apostle Paul make between Christ’s resurrection and ours?
If he rose, those who are with him will rise.  We are heirs

6.	What difference does it make to you today to hear God promise, “Your body will last forever”? 
Comfort
7.	What difference does God’s promise “Your pain will not last forever” make for you right now?
Joy, relief

8.	God calls you his heir (Galatians 4:7). How does being his heir affect your view of the future?
Every benefit of being in the family of God is ours

9.	What do you want heaven to be like?
Answers will vary – we know it will be joy

Christ’s judgment
1.	If you knew that Christ would return at seven o’clock this evening to judge the world, what changes would you make in your schedule for today?
Answers will vary.  But take time to think about this, it will be very revealing to how well you are preparing for his return.

2.	Why is it a good idea for us to lower our expectations of the happiness we hope to find here on earth? Give an example of lowering our expectations of earthly happiness.
-	Because of sin in this world, we will never find happiness if expectations are too high
-	Examples of lowering our expectations: being satisfied with what we have; the possessions we have; the abilities we have; cherish days of happiness because we know they won’t always be here.

3.	What facets of our present lives will be unimportant on judgment day?
This list could go on for quite some time.  Here are some: money; wealth; health; looks; worldly wisdom; stuff; others’ opinions of us
4.	In what ways might we sometimes treat this world as though it were our permanent home?
We spend all our time and energy on it
5.	Why is it important for us to learn to pray Moses’ prayer from Psalm 90:12?
It teaches us to think and live with one foot in heaven and one foot on earth