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    Heaven Is For Real Conversation Guide
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    Heaven Is For Real Conversation Guide
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    Heaven Is For Real Conversation Guide
    Ebook123 pages2 hours

    Heaven Is For Real Conversation Guide

    By Todd Burpo

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    The best-selling book about heaven that has changed the world is now a DVD-based conversation kit for churches and small groups. In addition to learning more about what the Bible teaches about heaven, groups will hear first-hand from the Burpo family about Colton's experience in heaven and the way it has changed their lives. Each video session features Todd, Sonja, and Colton, and is filmed interview-style with Natalie Tysdal, the Denver FOX/CW News reporter whose initial interview with the family has gone viral on the internet.

    The Conversation Guide will take group members through key Bible passages about heaven, helping them understand more about who goes to heaven, when they go there, and what heaven is like.

    Features include:

    • 5 sessions of study for group members
    • For use with DVD sessions (ISBN 9781418550660)
    • Conversation Guide written for both believers and non-believers in accessible language to help group members discover what the Bible teaches about heaven
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateNov 7, 2011
    ISBN9781418550691
    Unavailable
    Heaven Is For Real Conversation Guide
    Author

    Todd Burpo

    Todd Burpo is pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan and a volunteer fireman. He and his wife, Sonja, have four children: Colton is an active teenager; he has an older sister, Cassie; a younger brother, Colby; and a very special sister he met in heaven. Sonja Burpo is a busy mom and pastor's wife. A certified elementary teacher, Sonja is passionate about children's ministry and helping women work through the difficulty of miscarriage.

    Read more from Todd Burpo

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    Reviews for Heaven Is For Real Conversation Guide

    4/5

    101 ratings133 reviews

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    • 4/5
      How you view this book is liable to be determined by how you are swayed by the story it tells: a four-year-old boy falls sick and eventually is hospitalized with a slow-to-be-diagnosed battle with acute appendicitis, then much worse. It's fairly similar in scope to what happened to my wife back in 1991, though her problems were caused by the procedure, rather than remedied by it…but that's a different story. A massive infection ensues, and pretty soon you're at death's door, and you have his spare key.

      Anyway, little Colton's story is just beginning, because later, after he's recovered, he starts telling his father (a Pastor at a small church) some pretty remarkable things. Things that happened to him while he was being worked on, when he passed unknowingly from life to death…something even his parents weren't aware had happened at the time.

      Now, this sort of thing has been described before, but perhaps not in this way. Colton speaks in the frank nature of one of his years, and of things beyond our ken as adults…certainly far beyond that of a child.

      But perhaps that's not true. Maybe it is easier for a child to understand this sort of thing. I always believed that you're never closer to God when you're young, and that you drift away as you age. I have a lot of theories, but this isn't the time or place. And don't worry, I won't give any more of it away, though the title should give you enough of a clue. How much of it you believe…well, that's up to you, but I think it's plenty to say this is an unusual story about an out-of-this world series of events. If it's legit, then perhaps we have something to look forward to…
    • 3/5
      Real life account of a small boy with a ruptured appendix who is seriously ill, not suppose to live. But he does. Over the course of 1-2 years, he talks about Heaven and Jesus that he saw, along with meeting a great grandfather who was dead before he was born and a sister whom his mother had miscarried before he was born. He had never known anything about her prior to this. I am still mulling all of this over, not knowing what to make of it.
    • 4/5
      A friend loaned me this book, and I ended up reading it in two days. The book is written by a father whose son was seriously ill and on the verge of death at age 3. Over time, the son began to reveal that he had been to Heaven during that time. The things he told them jived with what they knew from the Bible.
    • 3/5
      This was a very short book that tells the story of a little boy who came close to dying and later tells the story of how he went to Heaven. This is a difficult book to rate as an objective reader. It was not great literature, and the story itself could have been told in half (or less) the pages. However, the story was nice to read, I could feel for the people involved, and like many other reviews point out, it makes you think.

      I don't doubt the truth of the story told by the Pastor/Father of the boy, but it does seem to be very specific in its details for quotes and specific details that were recalled over the course of years. Do I take the story at its word? Probably not, but I also don't think the author and people from the story are lying. Do I think they are delusional? No - and I am now stuck in a place where I don't know how to explain my thoughts about the story. I am glad I read it because it made me think, but I don't think the details of the story were important to get me there.
    • 4/5
      Really liked it.
    • 4/5
      The book Heaven Is For Real, by Todd Burpo is very touching nonfiction novel. It is an incredible novel of a boy that goes on a journey to heaven and back. The book takes place in the south. With the main character Colton Burpo, and his family. Colton, a five year old boy is a very active kid, and always has a lot of energy. He loves his family and they are all very close, his older sister Cassie, his dad Todd, and his mother Sonja. Cassie is plays part as more of the quieter one in the story. While Colton is more of the social butterfly. Throughout the novel it describes Coltons trip to heaven and back. One day Colton was having really bad cramps and was constantly complaining about it. His parents finally took him to the hospital, it took them 5 days to figure out what was wrong with him. They had gone back and forth to three different hospitals, until they found out he had a ruptured appendix. They took him into surgery, when he came out he seemed fine. It was only a couple months later when he started talking to his dad about the visions he saw in and about heaven. When he was telling Todd, Todd was asking asking him questions he would only know if he actually went to heaven, and Colton was legit. He had his dad convinced, but the rest of his family and even the world was not so sure it actually happened. It took them about two whole years to finally know that Colton was not lying.The book, Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo, is a life changing book. I was personally touched by it. It was by far one of my favorite books. I am more into the realistic/nonfiction novels, so that is why I enjoyed it so much. If you are also into the realistic/nonfiction books and have not read this book, I suggest you read it. The authors purpose was to inform the reader that there really is a heaven out there, and you should not be afraid to what's going to happen to you in the future because you are always going to be okay. After reading that book, I feel Todd Burpo has accomplished that and now I know that everything will end up just fine.
    • 5/5
      Highly recommend reading this book. A beautiful insight into heaven through a child's eyes. This viewpoint helps to focus on the core important things and not become bogged down with theology.
    • 3/5
      Colton Burpo, a four-year old son of a pastor, becomes seriously ill and nearly dies. His account, as related by his father, is the premise of this book. As a pastor's son, he certainly has some religious background, which may or may not have affected his belief of what he was seeing when he was "in heaven."His account is not what my belief is of what may be on "the other side" Specific ally, that everyone has wings. A quick read, and a little glimpse of heaven through a child's eyes.
    • 3/5
      Heaven is real. And it is wonderful.Having stated that, I struggle with the credibility of Colton Burpo's testimony. The inability of very young children to adequately recall dreams, visions, and memories combined with an active imagination of a Sunday school attending pastor's son blend together to make the perfect recipe for a questionable tale. The author even writes a chapter about how much Jesus loves the little children, in case we call the little child into question.Theologically, I'll stand with John Piper. "If books go beyond Scripture, I doubt what they say about Heaven." The only reliable authority on the nature of heaven is the Scriptures. I'm also curious as to why so many people describe seeing family members in heaven, when truly the focus of all biblical prophecy regarding the millennial kingdom and heaven are entirely focused on Christ and His glory. Indeed, the Lord strictly disallows participation in seances, necromancy, and other types of pagan activity. Even if these forms of communication were valid, they imply (as John Piper astutely notes) that what God has communicated about heaven is insufficient. Of course, this is a matter of theological opinion, but the most orthodox approach to revelation is that the canon is closed; God has given us the revelation necessary to relate to Him through Jesus.I will say this: I don't doubt Todd Burpo's integrity. I believe him when I read the book; he is telling the story his son told to him. I don't think that Colton is lying either. I don't even think that all these things are beyond the realm of possibility. I do, however, struggle with the description of heaven as given, not because I am too stubborn, but because I cannot verify his statements according to the Scripture. The Bible teaches us all to test all things to the Scripture and when I do, I'm told not to consult with the dead and given a different picture of heaven. Hence, I move forward with the possibility that little Colton received some type of wonderful, heavenly dream (a blend of the subconscious and perhaps the divine) that should point us to the sustaining, perfect, holy sufficiency of Christ.If the Burpos continue to teach the exclusivity of Christ and the gospel as the means to salvation, then more power to them.*John Piper's opinions are from a podcast called "Ask Pastor John."
    • 3/5
      Well, this story, or book or however you want to refer to it as, had me hooked in the beginning. However, admittetdly, I was very skeptical, and I still am.

      There are some points that I really have to question if it is truth or fiction. I would read a chapter and question the validity of it afterwards.

      Chilling that some things were mentioned by the boy that he hadn't heard of before or was told by anyone. So those things have me wondering, could it be true?

      So, not sure where I really stand on this book, by all means if it is factual, Awesome, but then, sadly a part of me in the back of my mind says, what if years from now it comes out that it wasn't all as written. Must be the skeptic in me!
    • 4/5
      This story is uplifting and encouraging. It gives positive hopes for what comes after we leave this life. I found the little boy's accounts to be unexplainable, with one exception. I am, personally, a religious person. I believe! I had expected to feel chills, based on my own experiences. But, this book inspires me to share my own experiences.
    • 4/5
      Wow, what an inspirational experience it was reading this story,sometimes blinded by the tears in my eyes.Amazing!Highly recommended
    • 4/5
      Rated: BHeaven is as real as you believe and I believe this family was graced by God to see this reality through the eyes of their 4 year old son.
    • 3/5
      This is an easy, quick read with a likeable child who purportedly visited heaven and spoke about what heaven is like. The book is well written and there are some nice black and white photos of the family in the middle of the book. I decided to read this book because it was written by a pastor, and I thought it would be an account that would be an honest and thoughtful story. Unfortunately, in order to believe this story your have to make some choices in what you want to believe. Either Colton visited heaven while still alive or he died on the table and the surgeon, anesthetist, and nurses didn’t notice. There was no mention by the doctors in talking with the parents or in medical records that Colton died on the surgical table. Also, there is a time problem. Colton talked about seeing God shoot power down to his dad while preaching. This means either Colton’s father was preaching while the child was in surgery (he was not) or there was some time traveling going on. His father explains this away by saying he was in “God’s time”, which really doesn’t make sense. The author’s strongest evidence is that the child talks about a deceased family member and a miscarriage his mother suffered, both of which he supposedly had no knowledge. I find it hard to believe that at no time was this child away from the parents and in the care of another family member who could have mentioned these events or even just overheard his parents talking about it. Other events mentioned by Colton sound more like Sunday School 101.I really wanted to like this book because I am a believer, but I think this child’s parents are reading way too much into his precocious and creative behavior.
    • 5/5
      Reading this book fills me with a confidence in my faith and a comfort in God's sovereignty unknown to me before. You can doubt this story if you want to, but it only takes a little faith to be filled with the Spirit as you read the kingdom of heaven through the words of this 3-year-old child.
    • 2/5
      I have mixed feelings about this one. It's been mega popular since it came out, so I had this idea that it offered more proof that Heaven exists. I don't really need proof, but I was curious. I didn't get the impression that any new evidence was offered, so that left me feeling disappointed.

      A little boy, barely 4 years old, experiences health issues and needs surgery and during surgery he said he went to Heaven and came back. He tells his parents what he experienced and they're questioning whether he truly experienced this. His father is a pastor at a church, so he's able to connect his son's experiences with scripture. The boy's descriptions of Heaven are typical - bright colors, nobody is old, God has a throne, etc. The boy said he met his sister in Heaven and asked his mother if she lost a baby. She's surprised by the question, because they never told him about it, but she tells him yes. The boy is also able to identify his grandfather in an old photo. I don't consider any of these facts as evidence that it happened, but it was still an interesting story.

      The storytelling is basic, nothing spectacular. At times, the father's reactions to his son's comments sound exaggerated. The father would say something like, "I was floored" or "I was stunned," but the situations didn't justify it.

      I don't want to be a skeptic or question whether somebody really experienced what happened in this book or if they made it up. The boy survived a surgery that he wasn't expected to survive so maybe that's all of the evidence that we need. I wouldn't put this at the top of your list, but it's still worth reading.
    • 3/5
      Listened to this book while working. A story about a 4 year old little boy who doesn't actually die in surgery, but ended up in heaven and recounting a completely biblical heaven, that only very serious theologians would know, as well as personal details about his family's life (and their lost ones) that he supposedly didn't know about. His father is a Wesleyan minister.
    • 4/5
      With simple honesty, the parents of their boy, Colton Burpo, document what their 4 year old son reported after experiencing a trip to heaven as a result of recieving a misdiagnosis of a ruptured appendix that lasted for 5 days. If you want to believe these people, you will be blessed. I would recommend keeping an open mind.
    • 5/5
      How this book doesn't get 5 stars by everyone is beyond my understanding. Such an honest retelling of true events. This family is truly lucky to have lived this experience. Yes, very traumatic, though. I can't imagine facing the possibility of one of my children dying. BUT, wow, what they have all learned through this remarkable experience!!! The way that Colton explains some of his experiences in heaven have helped me understand certain aspects of death... How he describes the Holy Spirit simplifies all the difficulties we adults have when trying to understand these abstract concepts. If you want to be in touch with your spirituality, or if you want to renew your faith in God, pick up the book. What a breath of fresh air!!!
    • 4/5
      I have to admit that when I first picked out this book at the library, which I put on hold and had to wait quite a long time for, I was skeptical. I opened it right to the middle and starting reading which is totally out of character for me because I wanted to skip the technical stuff and get right to the little boy's comments about Heaven. I was immediately charmed by his simple way of describing what it was like in Heaven. So I started back at the beginning.Todd and Sonja Burpo are on a family vacation when their 3-year old son Colton becomes violently ill. They rush him to the hospital and soon after find out that he has an erupted appendix which requires emergency surgery. After much prayer by Todd, a pastor, and his congregation, Colton recovers from surgery and all is well.Shortly after they are home from the hospital Colton tells his parents that during the surgery he had actually died and that his soul astrally traveled to Heaven. He tells his parents of things he learned that he couldn't possibly have known about such as relatives he met who had passed before he was born and a sister who had been miscarried. He said that he had wings and that he sat on Jesus' lap. He saw the throne of God and the gates of Heaven. This book is a fast read and I enjoyed it very much. I do feel like I have a sense of renewed faith after reading it because I don't think it is possible for little kids to make up stuff like that. It is possible that the parents read more into his visions than he proposed but all in all I believe his story.Heaven is for Real was published in November 2010 by Thomas Nelson and was on the New York Times Bestseller list.
    • 3/5
      This book came to me highly recommended, so I read it. I want so much to believe all that this says, but sometimes, I'm just not sure. I find myself thinking about my own son, who is now 23, but who at Colton's age had an active imagination that was quite detailed. I could almost hear him make up stories about what he thought Heaven was like. If it's true, however, that he didn't know about the miscarriage and could identify the grandfather he'd never seen when he saw a picture, then maybe there is some truth to it. I want it all to be true, and the book did make me think, but I just don't know. It's a quick read - let each reader judge for him/herself.
    • 2/5
      There are a number of other reviewers I concur with so I can be short. It is a captivating story, and for that reason you power through it. Not every book published is supposed to be of great literary value, some are destined to set their hooks in you and hold on. I enjoyed the informal conversational style. In the end, I guess it doesn't really matter to me if it is true or not, others can debate that. I am happy that it makes me think and question and wonder. I think that is enough. I will be asking my 15 year old son to read it. We don't take him to church because I was raised as a Catholic and I don't believe it is ok to pick and choose what aspects I follow. Recently he told me he doesn't believe in God because of the preponderance of scientific info, including but not limited evolution. I guess I need to challenge him to think too!
    • 5/5
      Fascinating story told in a personal and compelling manner. Thanks for the inspiration!
    • 4/5
      Great book! I saw the author in person last year. He autographed my copy. It's an amazing story. Some will probably doubt this, but I can't see how. How does a 4-year-old know about any of this? Todd (his dad) says that no one in Imperial, NE has ever said it wasn't true. This supposedly is going to be made into a movie, although I have no more details than that. He also has police protection wherever he goes, because some people want to attack him for this.
    • 5/5
      A three (almost four) year old boy, unbeknownst to even doctors who examine him, has a ruptured appendix which absesses. By the time his parents get him to the right hospital he is nearly dead. He is immediately rushed to surgery and barely survives. Months later the now four year old begins talking about things that occurred during the operation--things he has no way of knowing about.This is an intriguing story. The comments made by little Colton Burpo are recorded by is father, Todd-a church pastor, and his mother, Sonja, are along with the account of the circumstances and events surrounding them.A great read of an amazing story about something that is very controversial these days. Is Heaven for real? What is it like? Read this fascinating story and decide for yourself.(This book has been made into a full-lengh feature film.)
    • 5/5
      What an amazing story! Little Colton Burpo gets very sick, and during an operation "dies" and goes to Heaven. It's a heart-wrenching story as Todd Burpo tells us of the family anguish of not knowing whether Colton would get better. He did, and he came out of surgery with an amazing story to tell. Whether you believe in Heaven or not, this story tugs at your heartstrings and serves to bring all of us hope and a bit better understanding of what Heaven will be like.
    • 3/5
      Fact or fiction, it is a good story. If, indeed, a four year old boy went to heaven while being operated on after a ruptured appendix, this book is an incredible affirmation of heaven's existence. It was interesting to read about the events this family went through and the offhand comments and interpretations about the boy's heavenly experience. However, without supporting evidence from other sources, it is impossible to verify any of it. For many Christians, I'm sure it is very comforting so it is useful to reasure them in times of grief.
    • 4/5
      Great book to be search by parents with their kids.
    • 4/5
      This is a cute, awe-inspiring story about a little boy's "trip" to heaven. It is written by his father using the son's words. It really makes you question your beliefs and see religion through the eyes of a child.
    • 3/5
      Colton Burpo, a four-year old son of a pastor, becomes seriously ill and nearly dies. His account, as related by his father, is the premise of this book. As a pastor's son, he certainly has some religious background, which may or may not have affected his belief of what he was seeing when he was "in heaven."His account is not what my belief is of what may be on "the other side" Specific ally, that everyone has wings. A quick read, and a little glimpse of heaven through a child's eyes.