Persecution: Lesson 2 | Day 2

Read the following quote:

“Suffering for Christ’s sake is to be viewed as a privilege. As God has bestowed the gift of salvation so he has also bestowed the gift of suffering.”  Howard F. Vos

Think About This...

• What does this mean to you?
• How can it be said that suffering for Christ is a privilege? How would those who don’t believe in Christ see this statement?

There is nowhere in Scripture where it says we are to go looking for persecution. But when we experience it because of our closeness to Christ, we can know that we’re experiencing the same thing Christ experienced. Which is pretty cool, even though it can be really rough.

Pray today that God would help you reflect His character to the world regardless of what happens.

Persecution: Lesson 2 | Day 1

“His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”  Acts 5:40-42

The disciples were a little shell-shocked after Christ’s death. They were really expecting Him to overthrow the earthly Roman kingdom in a lot of ways and still quite didn’t get what He was really here to accomplish. But after Jesus’ resurrection we see a spark light among these disciples, as they understood that His Kingdom was much greater and bigger than they ever imagined.

Read Acts 5:40-42. Setting this story up for you, the disciples were preaching and teaching about the story of Jesus everywhere they could. This was greatly upsetting the spiritual leaders in Israel at the time and was contrary to what they were teaching. The problem was that there was a large following for these disciples and to kill them would make them martyrs, only advancing their cause. So what to do? They decided to just beat them to a point where they could barely even physically endure it.

That’s where these verses in Acts gain their beauty. At the point of experiencing tremendous pain and told to not preach about Jesus or they may experience it again, the disciples leave rejoicing for being counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. Then it states that they didn’t cease to preach and teach about Jesus wherever they went! It was going to take a lot more than threatening their lives to stop their message.

It’s rare to see that kind of commitment, but Jesus is glorified when our lives are all about Him and how we can display Him to the world in spite of the opposition we encounter.

Think About This...

• How have you reacted when something didn’t turn out the way you thought it would?
• How can you prepare yourself for that moment to better reflect Christ to others?

Persecution: Lesson 1 | Day 5

Yesterday we talked about how some people experience persecution that is life threatening. For today, take a few minutes and say a prayer, or write in a journal or Note app on your phone.

Spend some time thinking about those people in the world who’s life will be put in danger all because they believe Jesus is the Son of God.

Then ask yourself: What would you do in their shoes?

Persecution: Lesson 1 | Day 4

If you’re reading this living in the US, chances are you don’t experience the kind of persecution that is experienced by people your age all over the world. Sure, you might encounter some opposition and some discomfort. But it would be very remarkable for you to face death for your faith.

And yet, this is the reality for people all over the world each day.

All around the world, people will be assaulted or murdered for their faith. Today. Tomorrow. And every day after that, just for claiming to believe in Christ.

How does this make you feel? Have you ever thought about how you would respond if you were in their shoes? How does the persecution you encounter compare to the persecution they encounter?

OK, stop. I know, I know: you were only doing what I asked you to. But I want you to stop short of comparing your persecution to people who face death for their faith. See, you didn’t choose to be born in the US. You are where you are because of God’s sovereignty. The persecution you encounter is a result of your context. Being left out or made fun of is persecution, just like being assaulted is persecution. While there are different degrees, it’s all facing opposition for Christ’s name.

So, if you can’t compare, what are you supposed to do with this concept? Simple . . . You can pray daily for those people facing death and torture because they believe in Jesus. You can think about them. You can pray for them. And you can let them give you strength by their example.

Carry this concept with you today. Let it sink in. Think about it as you interact with others today.

Persecution: Lesson 1 | Day 3

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  2 Timothy 3:12

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”  Tertullian

Do you work out? There’s a phrase often found on the wall of the local gym. It says “No pain, no gain.” It’s a reminder to the people working out that if they aren’t experiencing some sort of pain, they may not be working out hard enough. They can only gain strength by feeling a little bit of pain in the process. It’s through that pain that they see dividends for their work.

Read 2 Timothy 3:12. It’s no secret when reading Scripture that if we hold fast to what Christ has called us to, that we will experience persecution. But how can God use this pain for His gain? An Early Church leader named Tertullian once said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” What he meant by this statement is that every time someone gave his or her life, or bled for the church, it seemed to expand God’s Kingdom more rapidly, instead of slowing it down.

The truth is that God uses persecution as a way to spread the Good News.

Think about it, you don’t often see news stories about the guy who lived a comfortable normal life, ate simple food, had a safe and normal job, and never made any waves . . . instead we hear about people who overcame obstacles and overwhelming odds to achieve their dreams or goals. God doesn’t waste pain. He will use our pain for His gain if we will let Him.

Think About This...

1. How have you seen God use a situation that seemed discouraging for His gain?
2. How are you experiencing pain in your own life?

Persecution: Lesson 1 | Day 2

Read this quote, and then think about the questions to follow:
“Christ’s followers cannot expect better treatment in the world than their Master had.”  Matthew Henry

Think About This...

1. Think for a moment about how Jesus was treated. Sum it up in one word. 
2. Why do you think that Christ-followers can’t expect to be treated better than Christ?
3. Is this fair? Is it unfair? What do you do about it? 

As you go through your day, consider the fact that no matter how poorly someone might treat you for your faith, if you believe in Christ and believe His teachings and life to be true, you’re on the side of what is right.

Though you might be treated like Jesus, one day you’ll also join in Him in an eternal life with God, free from persecution.

Persecution: Lesson 1 | Day 1

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.”  James 1:2

Have you ever thanked your parents for disciplining you? Most of us probably haven’t thought twice about whether or not we wanted to thank someone for making our life more uncomfortable than it already is.

Why do we run from discomfort? Pain is not a welcomed friend of ours. We learn early on in life when we experience physical pain or heartbreak how to adapt so that we can avoid these problems down the road.

Read James 1:2-4. These verses remind us not that we should find joy in all kinds of pain, but that we should count it all joy when we experience persecution for Christ. When we are living for Him, He shows us that it’s through that opposition that our faith usually grows strongest. God doesn’t want you to have a weak faith that can be tossed about every time you hit a speed bump in life.

While we may not thank our parents when they punish us for our mistakes, they really are looking out for our best interests – which is why they show us that discipline in the first place. This discomfort helps direct our lives a little better and guides us in making wiser decisions. In the same way persecution reminds us that we find our hope and joy in Christ alone and not in our circumstances.

Think About This...

1. When was a time that you experienced persecution because of your faith in God?
2. What is something that God has taught you through the suffering you have endured through?

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