Session Nine: Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted Because Of Righteousness
In Unit Three we are looking at how we live as members of the Kingdom of God. Last time we looked at the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Now we are going to look some famous sayings from Jesus’ longest sermon. These titles are from the New International Version of the Bible.
In this session, we’ll explore:
Why being a Christian is not easy
What to do when others react badly to our faith
‘Persecution is one of the natural consequences of living the Christian life. It is to the Christian what “growing pains” are to the growing child. No pain, no development. No suffering, no glory. No struggle, no victory. No persecution, no reward.’
Billy Graham
1. Reflect
Read Matthew 5: 10-12
Do you find what Jesus says about persecution surprising? Why?
What form does persecution take today?
2. Read
Paul says: In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted. Why do you think that is?
What is Paul’s way of preparation for this and how does it help?
Why does Jesus predict persecution? What evidence is there for this?
What does Jesus command us to do in response to oppression and persecution?
How does this work in practice?
What do these passages tell us about the peace of God?
How does the writer want us to react to persecution and hardship? What does that look like?
Need help? Here are some hints…
As a follower of Christ you are standing in opposition to people who just want to do what they want and dislike the suggestion that this is not acceptable to God. Christian ideas are dangerous to many people obsessed with power and control.
Paul speaks about being thoroughly grounded in the Scriptures, so that you have Godly wisdom, and are equipped to face up to the differing demands that life places on us and to do what is good and right.
Christians have always faced persecution from the days of the Romans feeding them to the lions to today under repressive regimes.
Turning the other cheek and walking the extra mile have become proverbial sayings but what do they really mean? How do you do it? Are there any limits on these commands? How do we treat people that may not persecute us but do oppose us?
3. Act
Look at Open Doors World Watch List to see how persecution affects Christians around
the world.
In what ways can you support Christians facing persecution?
Are there any situations in which you feel unable to express your beliefs? What can
you do about that?
4. Pray
About anything that God has said to you out of this study.
For situations in which you know that there is persecution
Any particular concerns that are on your heart
