10: The Fires of Hell – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: What happens after we die? There are some unbiblical theories and Biblical truths we need to look at.
December 3, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Isaiah 66:24, Mark 9:42-48.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
What was the source of the fire Jesus referred to that was just outside the walls of Jerusalem?
Personal Application: How do you feel about the fact that everybody is going to be eternally lost if they don’t accept Jesus and live according to His will? Share your thoughts..
Case Study: One of your relatives states, “The Bible says that the Gehenna fire is not quenched and the fire does not die. That is pretty clear that hell is for eternity.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Malachi 4:1, Jude 7.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
How does Sodom and Gomorrah being destroyed by an eternal fire help us understand hell fire?
Personal Application: How does the concept of an eternal punishing fire match the Biblical description of God’s love and mercy? Share your thoughts
Case Study: One of your friends states, “God destroys the lost in an everlasting fire. That means they burn forever. How can you say that the fires of hell are only temporary?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Acts 2:29,34,35; I Corinthians 15:16-18..

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is
How do these passages refute the theory of purgatory?
Personal Application: Why does the concept of a Catholic purgatory not agree with the teachings of Scripture and the state of the dead? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “I think purgatory is a good thing. It helps people who weren’t ready to go to heaven to get cleaned up and purified so that they could get in. It’s like a second chance for those not quite ready yet..” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read I John 5:3-12.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
Why does John limit eternal life only to those who die in Christ?
Personal Application: How does knowing the dead are asleep in the ground help the living in their understanding that it is “good news”? Share your thoughts?
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!