Christianity - The afterlife and judgement Task 1 – Write notes on what you know about the following beliefs in Christianity. If you don’t know anything at this point, that is fine : • Day of judgement – • Heaven – • Hell – • Purgatory – Task 2 – Answer the following questions: What can you remember about the parable of the sheep and the goats? Now read the Parable (separate document) and answer the questions below: What other units have we learnt about the parable in? How might it link with the work on Christian beliefs about the afterlife? Task 3 – Read the following Christian beliefs about the afterlife and answer the questions under each piece of information to help you understand the concepts: Christian beliefs about life after death may vary but many believe that: • They will be resurrected and receive eternal life after they die. What is meant resurrected? What does eternal life mean? • This is a gift from God, and dependant on faith in God. What do you think is meant by ‘dependant on faith in God?’ • They will be judged by God at some point after they die, either rewarded by being sent to heaven or punished by being sent to hell. What does judged by God actually mean? • This judgement will happen very soon after death or on the Day of Judgement. This is a time in the future when the world will end and Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead What do Christians believe about the day of judgement? Task 3: Some of the beliefs about life after death are found in the Apostles’ Creed. The Apostles Creed is a Christian statement of belief. Read it below and underline any parts of the creed that reference the afterlife. Challenge: Can you annotate to explain what each part means. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Judgement • Christians believe that after they die, god will judge them on their behaviour and actions during their lifetime, as well as their faith in Jesus as God’s son. • In the Bible, Jesus parable of the sheep and the Goats describes how God will judge people Task 4: Complete your quote task below to show what each quote means and how it links to the idea of judgement day in Christianity. Quote Meaning/link to judgement “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35 “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” John 14:6 What happens after God’s judgement? • After God’s judgement, Christians believe that they will either experience eternal happiness with God (heaven), or be unable to experience God’s presence (hell). • Catholics believe that some people might enter an intermediate state, called purgatory, before they enter heaven. Knowledge of these states is limited and linked to the past Task 5: Sort the following statements in to either statements describing heaven, purgatory or hell: (next page) Thought to be either a physical Many people question whether Christians differ on views of place or spiritual state of peace, an omnibenevolent God would who is allowed in. these can be: joy, freedom from pain and condemn people to here. • Only Christians chance to be with loved ones. Christians who believe God • Christians and other would not do this, see hell as an religious believers eternal state of mind of being who have pleased cut off from the possibility of God by living good God. lives • Baptised Christians, regardless of how they have lived their lives Reward for both faith and A state of existence without Often pictured as a place of actions God. eternal torment in a fiery pit ruled by Satan. Traditional images often show An intermediate state where “They then will go away to God on a throne with Jesus next souls are cleansed in order to eternal punishment, but the to him and angels all around enter heaven. This is a Catholic righteous to eternal life.” him. belief. Matthew 25:46 Exam Practice 1. Which word best describes ‘An intermediate state where souls are cleansed in order to enter heaven.’ (1) a) Purgatory b) Heaven c) Hell d) Day of Judgement 2. Give two examples of what Christians will be judged on in the afterlife. (2) 3. Explain two ways in which Christians can ensure they get in to heaven. (4) 4. Explain two Christian teachings about hell. Refer to sacred writings or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer. (5) 5. Plan an answer the this evaluation question: ‘Heaven is the only reason Christians live moral lives’ (12) .