The Seriousness of Freedom
Opening Prayer
Lord God,
You created us for life with You.
Help us understand the gift of freedom.
Teach us to choose You
with trust and love.
Amen.
Part One
Created for Heaven
God created every person
for heaven.
He desires that all be saved.
He does not create anyone
for separation.
The Bible says:
“God will have all men to be saved.”
God offers grace.
He gives opportunities.
He gives mercy.
But He also gives freedom.
Love must be chosen.
It cannot be forced.
Scripture
“God will have all men to be saved.”
(1 Timothy 2:4)
Think and Discuss
Why must love be freely chosen?
Can someone be forced to love?
Why does God respect our freedom?
What happens if someone refuses love?
Allow thoughtful answers.
Part Two
What Hell Is
Hell is not something God desires for us.
It is the result
of freely and finally rejecting God.
God is the source of all good:
Light.
Love.
Truth.
Joy.
To reject God completely
is to choose separation
from these things.
Hell is that separation.
It is not simply a place.
It is the state
of choosing oneself over God
without repentance.
The Church teaches
that hell is real.
This teaching is serious
because our choices are serious.
But it is never meant
to cause panic.
It is meant
to remind us that freedom matters.
Guidance for Adults
Avoid graphic or dramatic descriptions.
Emphasise that hell results from a free and final rejection of God.
Part Three
Choosing Life
God continually calls us back.
Through conscience.
Through Scripture.
Through the Church.
Through grace.
As long as we live,
the door of mercy is open.
We are never trapped
without hope.
The purpose of teaching about hell
is not fear.
It is truth.
It reminds us:
Sin matters.
Choices matter.
Grace matters.
The saints did not live in fear of hell.
They lived in love of God.
The more we love God,
the less we fear.
Every act of repentance
moves us toward heaven.
Every sincere confession
restores grace.
God desires our salvation
more than we can imagine.
He respects our freedom,
but He constantly invites us
to choose life.
Quiet Reflection
Sit quietly for a moment.
Think of a choice you face.
Now say quietly:
“Lord, help me choose You.”
Remain in silence together.
Practise This Week
Choose one:
• Make one deliberate good choice today.
• Turn quickly away from temptation.
• Go to Confession if needed.
• Pray for someone far from God.
Choose one and keep it steady.
Optional Response
Choose one:
Memory
Repeat slowly:
“Choose life.”
Say it three times thoughtfully.
Action
Place your hand over your heart and say:
“Lord, I choose You.”
Closing Prayer
Lord,
You created us for heaven.
Help us use our freedom wisely.
Keep us close to You.
Guide us in truth and love
until we reach eternal life.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 