Music Discussions

See You Again

July 8, 2015

Dynamic Image Main Point: Heaven is a real place that’s reserved for anyone who loves Jesus. When we get there, we’ll spend an eternity with Jesus and everyone else who loved Him in this life.

The Discussion Starter: See You Again
This music video is a bit of a tear jerker….

It’s the product of Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth, and was featured in the soundtrack for Furious 7 following the tragic death of the movie’s lead star, Paul Walker. The song is a one-sided conversation from one friend to another. Basically, the singer is saying, “I miss you, and we’ll catch up when we see each other again.”

Though the song isn’t specifically about Heaven, it certainly lends itself to a great discussion on this important biblical topic.

There’s nothing offensive about the lyrics, or the music video, which is largely footage taken straight from the film.

The music video and the song’s lyrics can be found below.

The Music Video:
The music video can be found online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgKAFK5djSk

Song Lyrics:

It’s been a long day without you my friend
And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again
We’ve come a long way from where we began
Oh I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again
Man who knew all the planes we flew
Good things we’ve been through
That I’ll be standing right here
Talking to you about another path I
Know we loved to hit the road and laugh
But something told me that it wouldn’t last
Had to switch up look at things different see the bigger picture
Those were the days hard work forever pays now I see you in a better place
How could we not talk about family when family’s all that we got?
Everything I went through you were standing there by my side
And now you gonna be with me for the last ride
It’s been a long day without you my friend
And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again
We’ve come a long way from where we began
Oh I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again
when I see you again
First you both go out your way
And the vibe is feeling strong and what’s
Small turn to a friendship, a friendship
Turn into a bond and that bond will never
Be broken and the love will never get lost
And when brotherhood come first then the line
Will never be crossed established it on our own
When that line had to be drawn and that line is what
We reach so remember me when I’m gone
How could we not talk about family when family’s all that we got?
Everything I went through you were standing there by my side
And now you gonna be with me for the last ride
So let the light guide your way hold every memory
As you go and every road you take will always lead you home
It’s been a long day without you my friend
And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again
We’ve come a long way from where we began
Oh I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again
Transitional Statement:
That’s a fairly touching song, isn’t it? In case you didn’t know it, the song was actually a tribute to Paul Walker, the handsome actor who was famous for the Fast and Furious movies. I loved how the singer kept saying, in essence, “Hey, friend, we had a great run and we’ll catch up when we get together again. Death can’t stop us from being together. Let’s just be patient.” According to the Bible, all of that is true about Heaven, with one stipulation: Heaven is a real place that’s reserved for anyone who loves Jesus. Yes, like the song says, when we get there, we’ll be able to catch up with our loved ones, but the best part is, we’ll spend an eternity with anyone and everyone who loved Jesus in this life. Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about this important topic so we can have hope in the face of death.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and what comes to mind when we think of Heaven.

ASK A FEW: The singer kept repeating the phrase, “When I see you again.” Do you think that’s possible? Can we really see one another after this life ends? How do you know?

ASK A FEW: Is there someone in your life who has died that you hope to “see again”? If so, who?

ASK A FEW: What would you say to them?

ASK A FEW: Do you believe Heaven is a real place? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: What do you think goes on in Heaven? What are you basing that on?

ASK A FEW: Who gets to go to Heaven? Everybody? Certain people? How do you know?

SAY THIS:

We’re going to read an extremely comforting passage of Scripture in a moment, but I need you to know a little background first. The Apostle Paul wrote this passage 2,000 years ago when lots of Christians were being misled about what happens when we die. He wanted everyone who’d put their faith in Jesus alone to know the truth. That truth is this: everyone who’s put their hope and faith in Jesus will be in Heaven with Him, whether they’re still alive or already dead, “asleep” as he puts it. Let’s read it now.

Read the following passage:

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

ASK A FEW: What do you think Paul was feeling when he wrote this part of 1 Thessalonians? What was his emotional state?

ASK A FEW: Paul said that he didn’t want anyone to be “ignorant” (or uninformed) about those believers who’d already died. Do you think there is much ignorance about “life-after-death” these days? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: What’s the most confusing aspect of “life-after-death” for you?

ASK A FEW: According to this passage, what role does Jesus play in Heaven? (Leaders – This is THE key question! Jesus is central to Heaven because unless a person has put their hope and trust in Him, they cannot enter Heaven. Verse 14 says that because Jesus died and rose again, God will gather those who’ve died. Verse 16 says it will be Jesus Himself who greets us in Heaven. Verse 17 tells us that we’ll be with Jesus forever. The rest of the Bible, for example John 14:6, tells us that Jesus is the only Way to God and eternal life with Him in Heaven.)

ASK A FEW: If you believe that Heaven is a real place – and 76% of Americans do – do you also believe that Hell is a real place? Who goes there and how do you know? (Leaders – Again this is a key question. Though this passage doesn’t speak about Hell directly, it’s wise to address this topic because your students will be wondering about it whether you mention it or not. Of course, the Bible says that those who go to Hell are those who were intent on living their lives sinfully apart from the forgiveness and love of Jesus.)

ASK A FEW: According to verse 18, why did Paul write this passage?

ASK A FEW: Do you find this message in 1 Thessalonians to be good news? Why or why not?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: Who will you tell about Heaven and Jesus this week?

Wrap Up:
The song we listened to during our time together was very powerful and emotional. The ideas of Heaven and life after death stir deep feelings within most people. The singer kept on talking about his hope of seeing his friend again. He wanted to catch up. That’s a comforting idea, but it’s not nearly as comforting as what the Bible says is actually the case.

We read a passage from 1 Thessalonians that was all about comfort. In fact, the guy who wrote it, Paul, said that the whole reason he wrote it was so that we could be comforted by its truth. Here’s that truth:

Heaven is a real place. It was built by Jesus and it is His home.
Heaven is the place where true followers of Jesus go when they die. We must follow Jesus in this life to be with Him in the next life.
Heaven lasts for an eternity. We’ll never run out of time “catching up” with friends and loved ones and even the saints like David and Moses and Peter and Mary who’ve gone on before us.

I don’t want to focus on the “bad news” but I love you too much to skip over it. I believe Heaven is real and that our being there is totally dependent upon our love of Jesus. But I also believe that Hell is real, too. The Bible talks far too much about it for it not to exist. Sadly, there will be many more people in Hell than in Heaven because most people are unwilling to ask Jesus to forgive them now and guide them through the rest of their life…until the next life.

I don’t want you to be that person. I want you to give your life to Jesus. I want you to experience the forgiveness that only He can offer. I want you to have the comforting knowledge that you’ll be with Him and the rest of us for an eternity.

So, if you’ve never given your life to Jesus, I strongly encourage you to do that now. Ask Jesus to forgive you. Ask Him to lead you. Promise Him you’ll follow Him and obey all that He shows you in the Bible.

After I close in prayer, if you’d like to talk more about whether or not you’ll go to Heaven when you die, come and talk with me or one of our adult leaders. It’s the most important conversation you’ll have in your life!

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith