Christian Beliefs About the Afterlife
What do Christians believe happens after death? Learn the beliefs about resurrection, the soul, judgement, heaven, hell and purgatory, and how Christians can differ.
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Life after death ✝️
For Christians, death is not the end. They believe that Jesus rose from the dead, and that this gives hope of life after death for believers. This module covers what Christians believe about the afterlife. Remember that these are beliefs, and that Christians do not all believe exactly the same thing.
Words to know 🔑
Four terms run through this topic. Learn what Christians mean by each.
Heaven or hell? ⚖️
Christians believe judgement leads to one of two destinations.
Match the term 🔗
- Resurrection
- Soul
- Judgement
- Purgatory
- The belief that the dead will rise to life again
- The non-physical part of a person that lives on
- The belief that God will judge each person
- A Roman Catholic belief in cleansing before heaven
Which belief is this? 🎯
Which belief is a state of cleansing before heaven, held mainly by Roman Catholics?
- Purgatory
- Heaven
- Hell
- Resurrection
Christians differ 💡
Not all Christians believe the same thing. Roman Catholics accept purgatory, while most Protestants do not. Some Christians believe in bodily resurrection, while others believe in the immortality of the soul, which is the soul living on after the body dies. Heaven and hell may be understood as real places or as symbols. All look to eternal life, meaning life that never ends with God.
Match the belief 🔀
- Heaven
- Hell
- Eternal life
- Immortality of the soul
- Being in the presence of God for ever
- Being separated from God for ever
- Life that never ends, given by God
- The soul living on after the body dies
After judgement ✅
In Christian belief, which TWO of these are destinations a person may reach after judgement? Choose all that apply.
- Heaven
- Hell
- The soul
- Resurrection
The Christian belief 🪜
An interactive activity.
Complete the sentences 🧩
Christians believe the dead will rise again in the _____. The non-physical part of a person is the _____. Christians believe God will carry out _____ on each person. Eternal life in the presence of God is called _____. A Roman Catholic belief in cleansing before heaven is _____.
Spot the beliefs 🖍️
An interactive activity.
Where do they go? 🕊️
In Christian belief, where do those judged favourably by God go?
- Heaven
- Hell
- Purgatory
- The soul
Name the belief 🧭
An interactive activity.
Explain the beliefs ✍️
An interactive activity.