What Would I Do to Go to Heaven?

Children rank good deeds for getting to Heaven, only to learn that Heaven is a gift, and cannot be earned.

PREPARATION

Before class, print or make copies of one activity page for each child.  

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Give each child a copy of the activity page and read the instructions at the top. After the kids have completed ranking the suggestions, discuss their choices with the rest of the class.

WHAT YOU WILL SAY:

Children may have the idea that they can earn their way to heaven, or that they must live a worthy life. Before a child can have an assurance of going to heaven, they must first learn that admittance to heaven is not something they can earn. People do not go to heaven because they were good people. The Bible says that no one can earn the gift of heaven. Heaven is a free gift. However, the one thing everyone must do is to let Jesus come into their heart so He can be Lord of their life. Some of the children may already know this, which is great.

After the children complete their list, go over their answers. Determine who gave the highest rank for each of the statements. Then explain that this was only a fun activity. Everything is important, and as children of God, we should do our best to do all of the things on the list. However, even doing all of them perfectly cannot earn anyone the right to go to heaven, because heaven is a free gift. If you had to pay something, or do something, it would not be a gift. Let's see what the Bible says about this free gift.

Have the kids turn in their Bible to Ephesians 2:8-9 and have a volunteer read the verses.