1. LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven
ALL (E GRADE): Will be able to describe basic Christian teaching about heaven and recognise how believing in heaven can affect your actions   MOST (C GRADE): Will be able to explain the medieval view of heaven and that found in Revelation and explain why belief in heaven encourages people to live good lives on Earth   SOME (A GRADE): Will be able to explain the influence heaven has on believers, what is meant by the ‘Beatific vision’ and judge whether heaven is for the living or the dead
Starter: Create a spider-diagram for the concept of ‘Heaven’ – any ideas you have, or have heard, you need to include to describe what Heaven is like
HEAVEN
LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven

2. LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven
ALL (E GRADE): Will be able to describe basic Christian teaching about heaven and recognise how believing in heaven can affect your actions   MOST (C GRADE): Will be able to explain the medieval view of heaven and that found in Revelation and explain why belief in heaven encourages people to live good lives on Earth   SOME (A GRADE): Will be able to explain the influence heaven has on believers, what is meant by the ‘Beatific vision’ and judge whether heaven is for the living or the dead
What is Heaven like?
Medieval Heaven
Heaven was described as a magical place with angels sitting on clouds and playing harps.
New Testament (Revelation)
Gives the idea that in Heaven there will be no more pain or suffering and God will rule the Earth.
Beatific Vision
Some believe that they will see a direct view of God which gives people total happiness. Usually shown in art with light.
Apostle’s Creed
Idea that people will have their physical body in Heaven, ‘I believe… in the resurrection of the body’.
Where is Heaven?
Some Christians believe Heaven is a state of mind and not a physical place that can be described.
Heavenly Quote
‘…there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.’ (Rev)
LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven

3. LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven
ALL (E GRADE): Will be able to describe basic Christian teaching about heaven and recognise how believing in heaven can affect your actions   MOST (C GRADE): Will be able to explain the medieval view of heaven and that found in Revelation and explain why belief in heaven encourages people to live good lives on Earth   SOME (A GRADE): Will be able to explain the influence heaven has on believers, what is meant by the ‘Beatific vision’ and judge whether heaven is for the living or the dead
Read the sheet ‘What is Heaven?’
Tell me two things it tells us about the belief in heaven?
Tell me two things it says that are contradictory about heaven?
According to Revelation, what might you see in heaven?
What does the Lord’s Prayer tell us about heaven?
Where would you find Jesus in heaven?
What did Jesus say about heaven?
LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven

4. LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven
ALL (E GRADE): Will be able to describe basic Christian teaching about heaven and recognise how believing in heaven can affect your actions   MOST (C GRADE): Will be able to explain the medieval view of heaven and that found in Revelation and explain why belief in heaven encourages people to live good lives on Earth   SOME (A GRADE): Will be able to explain the influence heaven has on believers, what is meant by the ‘Beatific vision’ and judge whether heaven is for the living or the dead
E Grade: Write a postcard from heaven, using the ideas from your reading and activity 1 to help you describe what it is like.
S Point Extension: How might a belief in heaven change the way people behave?
C Grade: Write an advert for a brochure about heaven. You will need to tell people how to get there (behaviour that will get you in!), what it is like, why it’ll be worth going there.
S Point Extension: Write a list of top behaviours to help you get into heaven and a top 5 for not getting in.
A Grade: Write an article for a Christian magazine. The article should cover Christian beliefs about heaven and explain the influence the belief in heaven has on Christians, past and present and what atheists may say about its influence on believers. You should explain what Christians believe heaven is like, now and in the past, and what the ‘Beatific Vision’ is.
S Point Extension: Make a personal response to the statement, ‘Heaven is a made up place to comfort the living and give hope to the dying.’
LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven

5. LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven
ALL (E GRADE): Will be able to describe basic Christian teaching about heaven and recognise how believing in heaven can affect your actions   MOST (C GRADE): Will be able to explain the medieval view of heaven and that found in Revelation and explain why belief in heaven encourages people to live good lives on Earth   SOME (A GRADE): Will be able to explain the influence heaven has on believers, what is meant by the ‘Beatific vision’ and judge whether heaven is for the living or the dead
Plenary:
How is this scene from ‘Little Nicky’ different to the Christian ideas about heaven?
LO: To explore the Christian belief in heaven