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Learning Objectives
- Reasons for believing in life after death that are not specific to any religion (eg. near death experiences).
- Awareness of different Christian views about Heaven.
- Awareness of different Christian views about Hell.
1. Reasons for believing in life after death that are not specific to any religion (eg. near death experiences).
Is Anybody There? View Lesson»
Different answers to the question ‘what happens when people die?’ are explored in the Michael Caine film about an old people’s home in the 1980s.
Students will:
- Reflect upon the consequences of things that come to an end
- Analyse different statements about what happens after death
- Evaluate the basis for believing or disbelieving different statements about what happens after death
- Reflect upon the range of different Christian beliefs about what happens to people after death
- Analyse Bible passages to determine which beliefs about the afterlife each of them could be used to support
- Synthesise learning by writing a discussion between characters in the film Is Anyone There and someone with an understanding of Christian perspectives on life after death
Gladiator View Lesson»
Considering why the concept of life after death is so important in the film Gladiator, and to some people today. What do Christians believe about life after death?
- A list of critically assessed reasons why people might hope for life after death
- An account of what three different people (one fictitious, one hypothetical plus the student themself) believe about life after death.
2. Awareness of different Christian views about Heaven.
Imagine (Cher Lloyd) View Lesson»
After Cher Lloyd's sang John Lennon's classic song 'Imagine' on X Factor, students compare Lennon's view of utopia with Christian beliefs about heaven.
Students will:
- Consider what is wrong with the world, and what would make it perfect
- Imagine what life would be like if John Lennon's dreams came true
- Discuss whether or not the world can ever be perfect
- Analyse Christian belief about heaven, and compare it with Lennon's vision of a perfect world
- Synthesise a discussion between the Apostle John (writer of the book of Revelation) and John Lennon, presenting their respective views about heaven and perfection
Is Anybody There? View Lesson»
Different answers to the question ‘what happens when people die?’ are explored in the Michael Caine film about an old people’s home in the 1980s.
Students will:
- Reflect upon the consequences of things that come to an end
- Analyse different statements about what happens after death
- Evaluate the basis for believing or disbelieving different statements about what happens after death
- Reflect upon the range of different Christian beliefs about what happens to people after death
- Analyse Bible passages to determine which beliefs about the afterlife each of them could be used to support
- Synthesise learning by writing a discussion between characters in the film Is Anyone There and someone with an understanding of Christian perspectives on life after death
Torchwood: Dead Man Walking View Lesson»
A Torchwood operative brought back from the dead shares his experiences of the afterlife, prompting this lesson on different Christian beliefs about what happens after people die.
Students will:
- Attempt to solve a logic puzzle and reflect upon how we gain knowledge about things
- Analyse two different accounts of post-death experience
- Reflect upon the range of different Christian beliefs about what happens to people after death
- Analyse Bible passages to determine which beliefs about the afterlife each of them could be used to support
- Synthesise learning by writing Torchwood reports on different people’s experience of the afterlife
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King View Lesson»
Two clips from the final part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy help students to explore Christian belief about death and heaven.
Students will:
- Reflect on why some people are afraid of death
- Consider what it would take to make death a more comfortable prospect
- Analyse the similarities and differences between Gandalf’s account of what follows death with a biblical description of heaven
- Reflect upon reasons Christians may have to be positive about death
- Synthesise a comparison with Frodo’s departure at the end of The Return of the King with Christian belief about dying and going to heaven
The Good Girl (2) View Lesson»
The death of a friend causes Jennifer Aniston’s character to ponder whether she is going to heaven or hell. We explore what the Bible has to say about each of them.
Students will:
- Reflect on whether various celebrities deserve to go to heaven or hell when they die
- Reflect on what they think heaven and hell would be like (assuming that they exist)
- Analyse biblical teaching on what heaven and hell are like
- Be aware of different Christian viewpoints on hell
- Understand the central Christian belief in faith in Jesus as the entry requirement for heaven
Spirit In The Sky View Lesson»
The 2003 Comic Relief single was Gareth Gates’ version of the 70s hippy classic Spirit in the Sky. It’s packed full of theological insight (sort of) so we thought we would do some unpacking.
Students will:
- Understand that Christians believe they will go to heaven after they die
- Analyse what the Bible says about heaven
- Synthesise a range of Bible passages to produce a clear view of the Bible’s teaching on the subject of what happens after death
Gladiator View Lesson»
Considering why the concept of life after death is so important in the film Gladiator, and to some people today. What do Christians believe about life after death?
- A list of critically assessed reasons why people might hope for life after death
- An account of what three different people (one fictitious, one hypothetical plus the student themself) believe about life after death.
Heaven is a Half Pipe View Lesson»
Using the song Heaven is a Half-Pipe by OPM, think about different conceptions of what Heaven is like.
- Students consider different perspectives on what Heaven is like, and produce an advert for Heaven.
3. Awareness of different Christian views about Hell.
Imagine (Cher Lloyd) View Lesson»
After Cher Lloyd's sang John Lennon's classic song 'Imagine' on X Factor, students compare Lennon's view of utopia with Christian beliefs about heaven.
Students will:
- Consider what is wrong with the world, and what would make it perfect
- Imagine what life would be like if John Lennon's dreams came true
- Discuss whether or not the world can ever be perfect
- Analyse Christian belief about heaven, and compare it with Lennon's vision of a perfect world
- Synthesise a discussion between the Apostle John (writer of the book of Revelation) and John Lennon, presenting their respective views about heaven and perfection
Is Anybody There? View Lesson»
Different answers to the question ‘what happens when people die?’ are explored in the Michael Caine film about an old people’s home in the 1980s.
Students will:
- Reflect upon the consequences of things that come to an end
- Analyse different statements about what happens after death
- Evaluate the basis for believing or disbelieving different statements about what happens after death
- Reflect upon the range of different Christian beliefs about what happens to people after death
- Analyse Bible passages to determine which beliefs about the afterlife each of them could be used to support
- Synthesise learning by writing a discussion between characters in the film Is Anyone There and someone with an understanding of Christian perspectives on life after death
Torchwood: Dead Man Walking View Lesson»
A Torchwood operative brought back from the dead shares his experiences of the afterlife, prompting this lesson on different Christian beliefs about what happens after people die.
Students will:
- Attempt to solve a logic puzzle and reflect upon how we gain knowledge about things
- Analyse two different accounts of post-death experience
- Reflect upon the range of different Christian beliefs about what happens to people after death
- Analyse Bible passages to determine which beliefs about the afterlife each of them could be used to support
- Synthesise learning by writing Torchwood reports on different people’s experience of the afterlife
The Good Girl (2) View Lesson»
The death of a friend causes Jennifer Aniston’s character to ponder whether she is going to heaven or hell. We explore what the Bible has to say about each of them.
Students will:
- Reflect on whether various celebrities deserve to go to heaven or hell when they die
- Reflect on what they think heaven and hell would be like (assuming that they exist)
- Analyse biblical teaching on what heaven and hell are like
- Be aware of different Christian viewpoints on hell
- Understand the central Christian belief in faith in Jesus as the entry requirement for heaven
The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror IV View Lesson»
Using a clip from the video The Simpsons – Heaven and Hell, think about what hell could and might be like?
- Students to be aware of different Christian views about hell.