Lee Strobel - The Case for Heaven (and Hell) Bible Study Guide plus Streaming Video: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for Life After Death

N eed some answers to questions about the afterlife, heaven, and hell? Then you are in the right place. The Case for Heaven[and Hell] is designed to be experienced in a group setting (such as a Bible study, Sunday school class, or any small group gathering) and also as an individual study.

Each session begins with a brief opening reflection and several icebreaker-type questions to get you and your group thinking about the topic. You will then watch a video with Lee Strobel, which can be accessed via the streaming code found on the inside front cover. If you are doing the study with a group, you will then engage in some directed discussion. You will close each session with a time of personal reflection and prayer.

Each person in the group should have his or her own study guide, which includes video teaching notes, Bible study and group discussion questions, and between-sessions personal studies to help you reflect on and apply the material to your life during the week. You are also encouraged to have a copy of The Case for Heaven book, as reading it alongside the curriculum will provide you with deeper insights and make the journey more meaningful.

To get the most out of your group experience, keep the following points in mind. First, the real growth in this study will happen during your small-group time. This is where you will process the content of Lees message, ask questions, and learn from others as you hear what God is doing in their lives. For this reason, it is important for you to be fully committed to the group and attend each session so you can build trust and rapport with the other members. If you choose to only go through the motions, or if you refrain from participating, there is a lesser chance you will find what youre looking for during this study.

Second, remember the goal of your small group is to serve as a place where people can share, learn about God, and build intimacy and friendship. For this reason, seek to make your group a safe place. This means being honest about your thoughts and feelings and listening carefully to everyone elses opinion. Third, resist the temptation to fix someones problem or correct his or her theology, as thats not the purpose of your small-group time. Also, keep everything your group shares confidential. This will foster a rewarding sense of community in your group and create a place where people can heal, be challenged, and grow spiritually.

In between your group times, you can maximize the impact of the course by checking out the personal study guide activities. This individual study will help you personally reflect and actively respond to the lesson. For each session, you may wish to complete the personal study in one sitting or spread it over a few days (for example, working on it a half-hour per day on four different days that week). Note that if you are unable to finish (or even start!) your between-sessions personal study, you should still attend the group study video session. You are still wanted and welcome at the group even if you dont have your homework done.

Keep in mind this study is an opportunity for you to train in a new way of seeing what heaven, hell, and the afterlife are all about. The videos, discussions, and activities are simply meant to kick-start your imagination, so you are open not only to what God wants you to hear but also to how to apply that message to your life.

Sound good? Well... then lets get started!