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know and believe that he will live after death.
Life is forever. It is not a gift that the Lord bestows on us, then takes away. We often think of death with sadness, because we miss family and friends when they go to the spiritual world. We will see them again when it is our turn to "cross over" the bridge from this world to the next. In the meantime, they are exploring the wonders of the spiritual world with the vigor of youth.
READ: "Life After Death" by the Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss
Introduces some of the ideas about the spiritual world that are described in the Heavenly Doctrine for the New Church written by Emanuel Swedenborg.
READ: "The Life Which Lasts Forever" by the Rev. Peter M. Buss, Jr.
Death is a new beginning. We continue to be the same people. We meet up with people we know. And husbands and wives who had been separated by death are reunited. This is a beautiful picture, and it can provide tremendous reassurance.
READ: "Death and Resurrection" by the Rev. Andrew M. T. Dibb
There is an old saying that no one can get out of this world alive! We must all die, and, sad as that eventuality may seem at the time, the only way we can make sense of it is by believing the Lord's words: those who believe in Him can never die.
READ: "Life After Death", a family talk by the Rev. Lorentz R. Soneson
While on earth, the Lord taught that the spirit of a person does not die. The body dies - yes. But the real person inside the body lives to eternity in the next world. And those who love the Lord, and are charitable to their neighbor because the Lord commanded it, will live to eternity in heaven.
PROJECT: Picture Someone Who Is in Heaven (ages 7-12)
Do you have a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or friend who is in the spiritual world? Talk about what this person might be doing there. How would he or she be useful to others? What kinds of things does this person enjoy doing for recreation? Now draw a picture of him or her in heaven. Remember that there is no illness or old age in heaven, so make this person young and healthy!
PROJECT: (Easier) Angel Snowflake Pattern A (ages 8-14)
PROJECT: Angel Snowflake Pattern B (ages 9-14)
FAMILY DISCUSSION: Heaven
The Heavenly Doctrine teaches that among the truths that a young child eagerly learns and believes are two ideas about eternal life:
There is life after death in which the evil go to hell and the good go to heaven.
There is a hell and a heaven, and the life after death is eternal.
Talk about heaven with your children, at the dinner table, at bedtime, or in family worship.
This kind of discussion helps everyone to remember that life is forever and to think from the perspective of eternity. (If you want more background knowledge before discussing eternal life with your children, read Life Is Forever by the Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss.)
See Foundation of Truths for the entire list of truths that a young child "eagerly learns and believes" (from Arcana Coelestia 5135:3).
ACTIVITY: Literature Connections for Teaching About Eternal Life (for all ages)
You may also want read stories about heaven to your children. All of these books are available from the New Church Book Store:
Life Is Forever by the Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss
A comprehensive overview of different topics relating to the spiritual world.
The Life to Come by Gretchen L. Keith
Stories about life in heaven, originally written for Sunday School lessons.
I Miss Grandpa by Adam Glenn
Especially helpful for children dealing with the death of a grandparent.
A sampling of other stories about heaven:
The Golden Heart and Other Stories by Amena Pendleton Haines
Johnny Appleseed and Other Stories by the Rev. Kurt Horigan Asplundh
Michael and the Zentrons by the Rev. Andrew M. T. Dibb
Where Does this Path Lead? by Melinda R. Friesen
READ: Quotations from the Word of God about Eternal Life
PROJECT: Lifeline Stretching to Eternity (teens and adults)
Make a "timeline" showing that your life extends to eternity!
PROJECT: Conical Paper Angel (ages 5-9)
ACTIVITY: Becoming a Butterfly - Narrated Pantomime (ages 4-8)
A narrated "pantomime" of first being a caterpillar, then a chrysalis, and finally becoming a beautiful butterfly!
SING: "Waking Up in Heaven" by Lori S. Odhner
PROJECT: Tissue Paper Butterfly (for preschoolers)
Make a fuzzy caterpillar and wrap it up in a cocoon. Then "fly" a beautiful butterfly!
PROJECT: Blotted Butterfly Wings (for preschoolers and primary children)"
Fold a piece of paper to make butterfly wings, then open and put drops of paint (of one or more colors) on one side. Fold the other side on top of the paint and press together to "blot" the wings. This will make interesting designs and mix the colors for the "butterfly wings."
SPIRITUAL TASK: Thinking About Eternity (teens and adults)
I have set before you today life and good, death and evil....
Therefore, choose life.
(Deuteronomy 30:15, 19)
The Lord wants us all to have the happiness of heaven, but He lets us choose between life in heaven or hell. The Lord tells us how to lead the life of heaven in the teachings of His Word.
FAMILY WORSHIP
This month you might want to read and discuss:
Micah 6:8 "What does the Lord require of you?"
Matthew 19:16-21 "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
Exodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments
Deuteronomy 6:4,5 The Two Great Commandments
Matthew 22:37-40 The Two Great Commandments
SPIRITUAL TASK: What Does the Lord Require? (adults)
For one week, try asking yourself these questions at the end of each day: Have I done justly? Have I loved mercy? Have I walked humbly with my God?
FAMILY DISCUSSION: Setting Priorities (all ages)
Each day presents us with many choices. Talk about the kinds of questions that we can ask ourselves to set our priorities in a way that reflects spiritual values. For example, when faced with a difficult decision we could ask: "What does the Lord want me to do?"
The angels in heaven have all happiness from uses,
and according to uses, so that to them uses are heaven.
(Arcana Coelestia 7038)
Being useful is the happiness of heaven and helping other people can give us a happy feeling as well. Because the Lord made each of us unique, we have something special to contribute to the variety of heaven.
READ: "The Happiness of Heaven and Earth" by the Rev. Frederick L. Schnarr
Every person who enters heaven brings a distinct quality and character that makes it possible for the Lord to introduce some new happiness to the entire heavens. We can sense the happiness of heaven when we find ways to think and act on behalf of our neighbor without thought of recompense or reward.
FOR REFLECTION: The Happiness of Heaven (teens and adults)
Explore ways that we can receive some heavenly happiness on earth, such as being open to doing small acts of kindness like giving a kind word, doing someone a favor, communicating with a loved one, or visiting someone who is sick.
As far as a person's affections, thoughts, and actions look toward the doing of good
from the heart, the person, spirit, or angel dwells...in heaven.
(Arcana Coelestia 3645)
ACTIVITY: Practicing to Become an Angel (ages 4-8)
Put an angel sticker or star in each square of this chart when you do something good.
The real reward for doing good deeds is the happy feeling you get when you are following the Lord and obeying His commandments, but keeping a chart can help you make progress!
ACTIVITY: Making a Family Garden (ages 3-8)
For a family project, try making a "rose garden" of tissue paper flowers. Add a flower every time you make progress improving a family dynamic that needs attention.
JOURNAL PAGE: Potential Angels (adults)
We are all potential angels, for the Lord created us for heaven. Our choices determine our eternal home, and they also influence the people around us. This may be especially true with children who are in our care. Write about the kind of role model you want to be or about an adult who was a good role model for you during your childhood or teenage years.
SING: Becoming an Angel
PROJECT: Make a Book about Becoming an Angel (ages 6-12)
Nature provides us with many illustrations of regeneration or spiritual rebirth. The "Becoming an Angel" song by Lori Odhner touches on many of these illustrations (inspired by True Christian Religion 687). Sing the song and then let each child make a picture about one part of the song. You can display these as a mural or bind them into a book.
What does heaven look like? The Heavenly Doctrine tells us that there are mountains and hills, valleys and plains, rivers and springs, gardens and forests, cities and houses. There are all things that are in the natural world, but those in heaven are immeasurably more perfect.
READ: Quotations from the Word Picturing Heaven and Hell
This description of the spiritual world (from True Christian Religion 78) will help you do the activities which follow, helping you learn about plants and animals seen in heaven and hell.
ACTIVITY: Heaven or Hell? Sorting Activity (ages 7-12)
Sort plants and animals by whether they are in heaven or hell.
PROJECT: Diorama of Heaven (ages 7-12)
Make a diorama showing animals and plants seen in heaven (see True Christian Religion 78).
ACTIVITY: Fruit Salad
Make a fruit salad with some of the fruits seen in heaven: oranges, grapes, figs, pomegranate seeds, and berries. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice before mixing. Enjoy!