Slices
Prepare
What kind of persecution have you faced as a Christian? Pray God’s blessing and encouragement on our sisters and brothers facing a threat to their life because of their faith.
Bible passage
16 ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 ‘The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
26 ‘So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Explore
I thought I was going to be arrested. I was in the United States. Some cops spoke to me from a few yards away. When I took a step towards them to respond, one of them flipped the latch off his holster and hovered his hand over his gun. It was terrifying. (I wasn’t arrested or shot.)
Jesus broadened his teaching beyond Israel (v 18, ‘to the Gentiles’). As they shared the gospel, persecution would increase, including flogging (v 17), arrest (v 19), betrayal and rebellion (v 21) and hatred (v 22) causing them to flee (v 23), and would never go away (vs 24,25).
Jesus gave three reasons why his sheep don’t need to be afraid of wolves (the devil and those who serve him – consciously or not). First, the secrecy they thrive in will be taken away (v 26). Secondly, they have power but God has more (v 28). But thirdly and most importantly, the Father cares about his sheep. Translators often add extra words to verse 29, but what it says is, simply, ‘not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’. Now reread verse 31.
Respond
The flat roofs of first-century Israel were a great place to share the gospel with a village (v 27). What are your opportunities to share the gospel? Identify them and ask God to help you make the most of them.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Kings 14,15; 1 Corinthians 15
Pray for Scripture Union
New schools ministry resource Leap of Faith aims to give secondary age young people a grasp of the big story of the Bible. Please pray that as it is used in lunch breaks or after school clubs, young people will understand the Bible’s story of God’s great love.
Because a strong start begins with smart preparation
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