See You Again

See You Again

The Song: See You Again by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth

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.

Vital Info Before You Get Started: The following info should help you contextualize this very popular song so you can have a great discussion about it with your kids.

• IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS: We at The Source for Youth Ministry believe that certain elements in our youth culture can serve as good discussion jump starters with students. At the same time, we would never hope to introduce teens to a negative influence that they haven’t already encountered. This balance is a delicate one. In our experience most teens, churched and unchurched, keep pretty current with music and music videos like this one. Thanks to YouTube, MTV.com, and iTunes, the most popular music videos and songs are free to access only a click away. If you decide to use this, do so by catering it to fit your family’s needs.

• 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.

• Don’t appear as if you have a “canned” discussion in your head and rattle off questions like a teacher giving a pop quiz—your kids get enough of that in school. This is a guide, primarily—not a verbatim script. Just familiarize yourself with the content here and start a conversation in the most natural, unforced way you know how.

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

Song Lyrics:

Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What was the main message in this song?
A: The two artists were basically talking about how they hoped to be able to see loved ones again after death.

Q: Do you think it’s possible for us to “see others again” after life?
A: According to the Bible, absolutely! If we go to Heaven, we’ll not only see God face to face, but we’ll see loved ones and even the saints who’ve died before us, such as Moses, Elijah, and Peter.

Q: What does the Bible say about Heaven?
A: The Bible is crystal clear on Heaven: it was created by Jesus for us to enjoy WITH Him! We can only get to Heaven and experience eternal life if we put our hope and trust in Jesus alone.

Where to Take It from Here:
Wherever it feels natural. If these questions lead to a longer discussion on the topic, wonderful! (There’s a guide just after this paragraph that helps you do just that.) If your kids are barely uttering grunts, don’t get discouraged—the next time it feels right, try out another song. Keep engaging them.

For Deeper Discussion:
(If your kids seem into diving in deeper and looking at what the Bible has to say on the subject, the following discussion guide can help take you there.)

Want help getting your teenager engaged in conversation? CLICK HERE for a helpful article from our “Parenting Help” page providing you with 3 Essentials to Talking with Today’s Teens.

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 those 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.

More Discussion Questions:

1. HAVE ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ANSWER: As we get started, let’s all take a second to say what comes to mind when you think of Heaven.
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Is there someone that you hope to “see again”? If so, who? What would you say to them?
3. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Do you believe Heaven is a real place? Why or why not?
4. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: Who gets to go to Heaven? Everybody? Certain people? How do you know?
5. 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:

1. 1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)

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.

1. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What do you think Paul was feeling when he wrote this part of 1 Thessalonians? What was his emotional state?
2. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: 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?
3. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: What’s the most confusing aspect of “life-after-death” for you?
4. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: According to this passage, what role does Jesus play in Heaven? (Parents – 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.)
5. ASK A FEW FAMILY MEMBERS: 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? (Parents – 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.)
6. HAVE ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS ANSWER: 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: 

1. Heaven is a real place. It was built by Jesus and it is His home.
2. 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.
3. Heaven lasts for an eternity. We’ll never run out of time “catching up” with friends and loved ones

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 that for you. 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.

Close in Prayer