Session 10: Eternal Life

Heaven is a state of joy, living eternally in God’s presence. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit help us respond to God’s grace and grow closer to Him. 

In this lesson, we will explore the concept of Heaven. 

Discuss with a parent: What are your ideas about Heaven?

 

This year we have talked about choices and consequences, God’s Commandments and the Beatitudes,

which are Jesus’ tips for achieving true happiness that outlasts this physical life. Living as a disciple (or 

follower) of Jesus, and keeping God’s Commandments help prepare us for eternal life in Heaven. 

 

Discuss with a parent: If all choices have consequences, then what do you think the consequence is 

of following Jesus and trying to love God above everything else every day of your life? 

(The consequence is a positive one: living in eternal friendship with God in Heaven.)

 

Heaven is the eternal (lasting) life that we will share with God forever if we grow in friendship with 

Him during our physical life. 

  

Listen to this creative story about heaven titled: Travel Guide to Heaven, in which the author, Anthony 

Destefano, imagines what heaven is like.

 

In addition to the concept of Heaven, Catholics believe in a concept called “Particular Judgement.” 

This refers to the individual judgement by God at the moment of a person’s death. God decides where a 

person will spend eternity based on his/her faith and actions. 

Catholics believe that Particular Judgement has three possible outcomes. The Church has 

named role models called Saints whom we believe have lived exemplary lives where they put God 

above all things. By naming them Saints, the Church is stating a certainty that these particular 

souls are in Heaven enjoying a friendship with God for eternity. Are there people in heaven who are 

not named as official Saints by the Church? Of course, there are many! 

 

Sometimes people are in friendship with God, but need to be purified to be with Him in Heaven. The 

process of purification before entering Heaven is known as “Purgatory.” The souls in Purgatory are 

suffering, but they are still happy because they know that they are waiting to be in Heaven and will get 

there. Did you know that you can help souls in Purgatory move on to Heaven by praying for 

them? That's an awesome act of charity! 

The following is a prayer given to us by St. Gertrude the Great for the souls in Purgatory:

Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, for those in my own home, and in my family. Amen.

 In the world there are people who sin greatly and refuse God’s forgiveness. They reject the love of God 

and reject His grace (help). These people are separated from God permanently because of their own 

choices. This separation from God is called Hell. 

Catholics also believe in a concept called “Last Judgement.” This is God’s final triumph over evil 

that will happen at the end of the world, when Christ returns and judges all the living and those who

 have died over the course of all time. This Last Judgement will not change a person’s “Particular 

Judgement.” 

Let’s see what is written in the Bible about Heaven and how our choices on Earth will be judged by 

God. Jesus spoke about this. 

Read Matthew 25:34-40

Discuss with a Parent: What surprised you about this Scripture reading? 

What did the people in the Scripture reading not realize about the king? 

Who does the king symbolize in the story? 

Who do the righteous people symbolize? 

The Holy Spirit gives us gifts at the Sacrament of Baptism that strengthen us to make choices that

lead us into a closer friendship with God. Let’s learn about The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Watch:

Closing Activity: 

We certainly learned about some difficult concepts today. In place of an Exit Ticket, please leave a 

comment here or attached to this lesson in your Level 4 Google Classroom that answers one of 

the following questions:

How did this lesson change my ideas about life after death? 

OR 

Based on Matthew 25:34-40, what is Jesus teaching us about our actions towards other people?