Slices
Prepare
Think about the worst thing that anyone has ever done or said to you because you are a Christian. How did it make you feel about them, you and God?
Bible passage
Jeremiah and Pashhur
20 When the priest Pashhur son of Immer, the official in charge of the temple of the Lord, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things, 2 he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin at the Lord’s temple. 3 The next day, when Pashhur released him from the stocks, Jeremiah said to him, ‘The Lord’s name for you is not Pashhur, but Terror on Every Side. 4 For this is what the Lord says: “I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; with your own eyes you will see them fall by the sword of their enemies. I will give all Judah into the hands of the king of Babylon, who will carry them away to Babylon or put them to the sword. 5 I will deliver all the wealth of this city into the hands of their enemies – all its products, all its valuables and all the treasures of the kings of Judah. They will take it away as plunder and carry it off to Babylon. 6 And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into exile to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies.”’
Jeremiah’s complaint
7 You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived;
you overpowered me and prevailed.
I am ridiculed all day long;
everyone mocks me.
8 Whenever I speak, I cry out
proclaiming violence and destruction.
So the word of the Lord has brought me
insult and reproach all day long.
9 But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word
or speak any more in his name,’
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.
10 I hear many whispering,
‘Terror on every side!
Denounce him! Let’s denounce him!’
All my friends
are waiting for me to slip, saying,
‘Perhaps he will be deceived;
then we will prevail over him
and take our revenge on him.’
11 But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior;
so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.
They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;
their dishonour will never be forgotten.
12 Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous
and probe the heart and mind,
let me see your vengeance on them,
for to you I have committed my cause.
13 Sing to the Lord!
Give praise to the Lord!
He rescues the life of the needy
from the hands of the wicked.
14 Cursed be the day I was born!
May the day my mother bore me not be blessed!
15 Cursed be the man who brought my father the news,
who made him very glad, saying,
‘A child is born to you – a son!’
16 May that man be like the towns
the Lord overthrew without pity.
May he hear wailing in the morning,
a battle cry at noon.
17 For he did not kill me in the womb,
with my mother as my grave,
her womb enlarged for ever.
18 Why did I ever come out of the womb
to see trouble and sorrow
and to end my days in shame?
Explore
I doubt most of us will ever have been as badly treated for being a Christian as Jeremiah is here. It’s good to remember that as we look at his response to his suffering. Jeremiah complains to God about being ridiculed (v 7) and insulted (v 8) and conspired against (v 10). This is directly a result of him being God’s mouthpiece (v 8).
How do you respond to negative reactions to your Christian faith? Do you flip-flop like Jeremiah? Moving from complaint (vs 7–10) to asking God to take your revenge for you (vs 11–13) to just resigning yourself to the situation and wishing you’d never been born (vs 14–18)? Or are you tempted to keep quiet to avoid problems?
Jeremiah is not presented as an example to follow (though being honest with God like Jeremiah is always a good first step) but we can learn much from our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church here. They are as imperfect as you or me, but there are often amazing stories of the persecuted praying for their persecutors.
Respond
Look at stories from the persecuted church (see, for example, www.opendoorsuk.org). Commit to praying each day for our brothers and sisters who suffer but also for yourself that God may teach you from their example and prepare you to handle opposition in a better way.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 13,14; 1 Corinthians 6
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for Content Coordinator Michelle Newstead. With multiple projects in progress at the same time in the Mission Resources team, she has to ensure everything stays on track – from schedule setting to meeting deadlines – so that creative ideas become resources that serve others well.
Because a strong start begins with smart preparation
Starting secondary school is more than new classrooms and new friends. It’s a season of growth, challenge and discovery. For some children, it’s exciting. For many, it’s overwhelming. And for all, it’s a defining moment.
That’s why It’s Your Move exists – to help children step into this new chapter with faith, courage and confidence.
For over 25 years, this trusted guide has supported more than 2.5 million children, offering practical advice, emotional guidance and encouragement rooted in Christian values.
Practical guidance you can trust.
Inside this 80-page guide, children will find:
✅ Real stories from pupils who’ve trusted God and themselves during the transition
✅ Guidance on friendships, confidence, homework and facing fears like bullying
✅ Space to reflect, pray and process emotions
✅ Encouragement and hope rooted in scripture
This isn’t just a book – it’s reassurance in their backpack.
Plus, every purchase includes instant access to:
✅ Student experience videos
✅ Assembly & lesson plans
✅ Creative tools to help children process the move
Secondary school is coming whether children feel ready or not. Let’s make sure they step forward grounded in faith, guided by hope and prepared with practical wisdom.
Get your copy here.