College Students, Death & the Afterlife

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For the past couple of weeks I’ve been meeting with a student who recently lost someone very close him.

For obvious reasons this has left him with a lot of questions about God, the meaning of life and life after death.

He’s spent a lot of time reading about heaven and trying to come up with a personal belief about what it must be like — in a way that make sense to Him — and thus, provide some level of peace about where his loved one has gone.

I’ve been surprised by some of the ideas he’s read about… but maybe just as surprised by how little I’ve actually thought about what heaven might be like.

It brings to mind Paul’s struggle — is it better to be here (on earth) OR there (in heaven — with Jesus)!  Paul saw it as better to go, and be with God in heaven, over staying on earth… yet understood that it would be better for others — the early church, the n0t-yet and new believers, for him to remain present on earth.

Yes, Paul struggled.

My young friend is struggling, in some ways, to want to be here as well; but he knows that ending his own life is not the answer.

I find myself wondering why I don’t struggle with this.

Have I grown too comfortable in this world?

Or do I believe, at some level, that God has me here for now — and will call me home when it is time.

What do you think?

  • How do you talk with students about life after death?
  • How often do YOU think about it — this life vs. the life to come?
  • Have you become too focused on this world?
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About the Author

Guy Chmieleski

Guy is the Founder of FaithONCampus.com. He is also the University Minister, at Belmont University, located in Nashville, TN. FaithONCampus.com is designed with campus and college ministers in mind, and is here to serve as: a resource, catalyst for conversations and encouragement for our shared work with today’s college students.

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  • http://www.jwinters.com jwinterscom

    Hey Guy,
    I have a bunch of students every year who come in with what seem to basically anxiety disorders simply because they aren’t sure what is going on in the afterlife. Sometimes like the person that you were speaking to, it’s because somebody near them died, but sometimes it is some other reason.

    I think it’s a fine line with what Paul is saying here. On one hand, of course being with God beyond a world filled with sin is a great thing. On the other, God’s gifts are still given to us in this present age – great things like salvation, and life, and love that we will have forever but also have right now.

    It brings up a great subject. Thanks for writing it!

    in Christ,
    jW

    • Anonymous

      Thanks for sharing JW!

      It looks like you pastor a pretty diverse flock down in Florida! I’m curious to know (beyond the death of someone close) what prompts the questions/anxiety about life after death for your students? Are they coming from a position of faith, and therefore want more details, or are they asking because they do not have a faith that speaks to this?

      • http://www.jwinters.com jwinterscom

        Hey Guy,

        Hah. Who knows what prompts the questions/anxiety – it seems to be a big mystery, so I’ll blame it on that mysterious Holy Spirit guy. When I ask, I usually get “I was just laying in bed and thought to myself, I could die…” and then it seems to haunt them until they stumble in my door.

        Most of the people that do this are coming from a de-churched background with minimal church connection from their childhood (stuff like, the last time I went to church was 9 years ago…). That means that they have normally been told “cartoonish” versions of what the afterlife might be, but without anything really substantial. I think that might go farther to explain it – that they are seeking security in the things that they want to believe (which sometimes works, and sometimes I have to say, “no, actually it works like this…”).

        Hope that helps!

        in Christ,
        jW

        • Anonymous

          That’s very interesting Jay! Do these students tend to plug-in to any ministry opportunities you might have to offer? Or does it end up being a one-time encounter?

          • http://www.jwinters.com jwinterscom

            Hey Guy,
            Normally they do, but not right away. It’s almost never a one-time thing, but occasionally I’ve seen “Oh, ok, now I feel better…” and then they drop off. Hope that helps.

            in Christ,
            jW

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