Thinking together about death, specifically what happens when we die; might not be the obvious choice of topic for a youth event on a Friday evening in Edinburgh. However at Scripture Union Scotland’s Equip event, that’s exactly what we were invited to do. The reason is that at Equip, the young people there, who are all secondary school age, set the agenda and decide the topics which get addessed. I had the privilege of speaking from the Bible about this important subject, as well as writing a group Bible discussion time and then facing Q&A from the young people.
Earlier that day, a psychotherapist had appeared on BBC Radio Scotland saying things like, “We don’t talk about death enough in this country” and “we have cossetted ourselves from the reality of death, and so don’t handle it when when we loose someone.” Several of the young people at Equip though, had encountered death and really did want to discuss it. In fact, one person who doesn’t usually attend came sepcifically because of the topic.
So, we looked at the various views about what happens when we die which are around in our culture today (such as reincarnation, ceasing to exist, purgatory etc) and examined them in the light of scipture. Two key texts for us were:
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-8
and
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Cor 3:10-15
Along with excluding unbiblical views of death, we built up a picture of salvation by faith alone (the foundation), but the possibility for the saved of building up treasure in heaven. I was delighted to hear that the group discussion times were lively and useful – and I was deeply impressed by the quality of the questions asked which demonstrated a remarkable level of biblical insight. I was also really encouraged by one young person who came to speak to me who had somewhere picked up some unbiblical ideas about death, which the gospel confronted. She described understanding the gospel; in which Jesus fully paid for our sins, as being a ‘weight lifted’.
I concluded my talk by playing this Solas Short Answer video from Andy Bannister:
Scripture Union Equip! events take place around Scotland, and online (which attracts teenagers from across the Highlands and Islands especially). They have a great programme for Secondary School-age teenagers. Find out more by clicking here.
