The Story
Read
- “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life” (Matthew 7:13-14).
- Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truths and teach me. For you are the God of my salvation (Psalm 25:4-5).
- You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
- Heaven is granted to none but those who know the way to it and who walk therein (Divine Providence 60).
Ideas for discussion
- The way to heaven is not always easy. The Lord said, “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life” (Matthew 7:14). What are some examples of difficult paths that lead to heaven?
- In contrast, “wide is the gate and broad is the way” that leads to hell. What are some examples of broad paths that may look appealing to us at first?
- The Heavenly Doctrines for the New Church describe some of the paths in the spiritual world. Some seem attractive, but really lead to hell, and others look narrow and sad but actually lead to the joy of life in heaven.
- We choose our way and walk along a path with the decisions we make each day. Will we stubbornly go our own way? Or will we follow the Lord toward the happiness of heaven?
- The Lord gives us this comforting teaching in Heaven and Hell 359: “It is not as hard to follow the path to heaven as many people believe. The only difficulty is finding the power to resist love for ourselves and love of the world, and preventing those loves from taking control, since they are the source of all our evils.”
Read more about the way to heaven
- “The Journey to Heaven” by Peter M. Buss, Sr. (ages 4-10)
Think of your life as walking a road—a happy and wonderful road—that starts when you are born and takes you all the way to that home which the Lord has made especially for you in heaven. - “The Way to Heaven” by George de Charms (ages 7-14)
The Lord has prepared a special place in heaven for everyone, and His Word shows us the way that leads there. - “Secret Roads on Earth” by Peter M. Buss, Sr. (ages 7-14)
The more we walk the Lord’s roads here on earth, the shorter our road will be in the spiritual world. - “Entering the Narrow Way” by Fred M. Chapin (ages 18 and up)
While we are living in the natural world, we are constantly choosing between the broad path and the narrow. This means that we always have the opportunity to change paths and follow the way that leads to heaven.
Projects and activities for various ages
- Find Your Way through the Maze (ages 5-10)
Find your way through the maze to heaven. - Pathways to Heaven and Hell (ages 6-10)
Contrast the paths to heaven and to hell by picturing some of things that might be seen along these paths by someone who can see clearly in the spiritual world. - You Will Show Me the Path of Life (ages 6-10)
Color the pathway to heaven and picture the Lord at the top of the pathway. - Is the Road to Hell Paved with Good Intentions? (ages 15 and up)
- Is this well known saying true or false? In what way might it be true? In what way is it false? Consider whether the Lord cares most about our thoughts, our actions, or our intentions.
- Guardian Angels and Our Thoughts (ages 15-17)
This chart helps you compare the kinds of thoughts and feelings that evil spirits bring to our minds with the ones angels bring to our minds. - Is It Easy or Difficult to Get to Heaven? by David Roth (ages 18 and up)
A spiritual task inviting us to spend a week observing the decisions and choices we make, paying attention to what our motives may be. - Dramatization of Broad and Narrow Ways
Use existing doorways in your home or arrange chairs to concretely illustrate a “narrow way” and a “broad way.” One suggestion is to let each person try getting through the narrow doorway (or chairs set close together) carrying possessions or “baggage.” Each will have to let go of these in order to walk along the narrow way. If we insist on holding onto these things, only the broad way will let us enter.
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