Session 5: A Life of Persecution
Question 1:
When have you had to prepare for something you knew would be difficult?
THE POINT
Living like Jesus means being treated as He was.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Many questions related to the Christian life don’t fall into life and death categories: What’s your favorite version of the Bible? How can I be a better group member? If a church has a meal at the end of a service, is that called a dinner, a potluck, a fellowship?
Questions like these have lower stakes. However, other questions about our walk with Christ carry great weight: Am I prepared to suffer well? Am I ready to be hated for the sake of Jesus?
Suffering may not be a common topic of conversation in our lives but suffering for the sake of Jesus—being persecuted because we follow Him—is something He told us to expect. In John 15 and 16, on the heels of Christ’s command for us to love one another, the Lord warned us to prepare to suffer along with other believers. Jesus wanted to help us understand that living connected to Him means we will be mistreated like He was mistreated. But we can endure the hard times because He is with us, and He is worth it.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
John 15:18-21
18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. 20 Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they don’t know the one who sent me.
This is a difficult passage to read, but also beautiful and logical. It’s difficult because reading that the world hates the followers of Jesus is jarring, even scary, for those of us who follow Jesus. And it’s beautiful because it reminds us that we’ve been loved by our Savior and called by Him out of a world of death into a world of life.
Jesus’ words are also logical. People who have been brought into the kingdom of God still live in the earthly realm; therefore, they’re going to seem weird, wrong, and out of place to the people of this world. Our hearts, minds, values, and priorities are foreign to those who aren’t followers of Jesus. But we’re still here—standing out because we choose not to live like the world.
Verse 20 says we are servants of our Master, Jesus. Throughout this study we’ve seen how our Master wants us to live, love, and obey as we live connected to Him, but His ways are not the ways of the unbelieving world. His ways appear strange to the rest of the world. Following Jesus is supposed to look different. And conflict—even hatred—is inevitable as a result.
What we believe and what the world believes don’t always line up. Our belief and trust in the resurrected Jesus supports everything in our lives. We live with a desperate longing for the return of Christ. At times, we live so moved by what He did to give us hope, we fight against our sinful human nature in order to be more like Him. And when we are like Him, we are not like so many others in the world. We are aliens. We are strangers. We are hostiles. We are “not of the world.”
Question 2:
What is it about Jesus that many people find objectionable?
There comes a point when the culture around us says, “We won’t take this ‘Jesus stuff’ anymore.” The thinking of the kingdom of heaven is too foreign and offensive to the culture, and the followers of Jesus are persecuted just as Jesus was persecuted. As Jesus said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” When we bear the name of Jesus and live like Jesus, persecution is sure to come.
John 15:22-25
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The one who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this happened so that the statement written in their law might be fulfilled: They hated me for no reason.
Jesus brought a full picture and realization of the truth and an opportunity for people to accept Him. As Leon Morris noted: “The seriousness of rejecting Christ is brought out. Jesus does not mean, of course, that the Jews would have been sinless had he not appeared. But he does mean that the sin of rejecting God as he really is would not have been imputed to them had they not had the revelation of God that was made through him. But now, as things are, they have no excuse. There is no way of covering up their sin.”1
No one is without excuse. Even those without a gospel witness have the general revelation of nature to point them to God (see Romans 1:18-20). Jesus is talking about those who clearly have no excuse, for they saw and heard Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Jewish people witnessed the best thing that could ever happen to them—Jesus Himself. Tragically, they rejected that which they needed most.
The people saw Jesus serve extravagantly. Jesus taught brilliantly and passionately. He healed freely and lovingly. He ushered in a new kingdom of repentance that leads to life, showing people that He was the answer to their deepest need. The people saw all this, and they violently opposed Him. For many, the truth was revealed, but hatefully rejected. This is still happening today.
My wife and I were at a restaurant with some friends from church, including a woman who was new to our church. At some point, she shared how her eyes had been opened to who Jesus is. She was from a Muslim family in a Middle Eastern country, but by the Holy Spirit working through the gospel, she became so clearly convinced of her need for Christ that she was willing to make the huge break from her culture, accept Christ, and become a Christian. When she shared with her parents what God had done in her heart, her father told her he never wanted to see her again. I asked her when she had last seen her family. She said, “I haven’t seen them in a few years. I talk to my mom every once in a while, but she tells me to stay away because my dad wants me dead.”
She found and embraced the truth in Jesus. She shared that same truth with her family, but they so thoroughly rejected the truth that they kicked her out and even threatened to kill her. That's the reality of two worlds coming into conflict. The world continues to reject Jesus despite the beautiful truth He has revealed.
Question 3:
What are some ways we can respond when someone rejects the truth about Jesus?
John 16:1-4a
1 “I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling. 2 They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father or me. 4a But I have told you these things so that when their time comes you will remember I told them to you.
Those who hate Jesus also hate His followers. They don’t just express this hate in their emotions; they display it in their actions. We shouldn’t be shocked; we should be prepared.
All the disciples who first heard Jesus speak these words were killed for following Jesus, except John, who wrote this Gospel. And they weren’t the only ones. The early church experienced periods of persecution and martyrdom. For over two thousand years men and women all over the world have suffered and died because they were following Jesus. Even today, people pay the ultimate price for their faith in Christ.
Jesus wanted His followers to be well aware of what could happen. “I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling.” I hope you hear a ring of encouragement in that. None of this will ever catch Him by surprise. He is still God, and God is still in control. In addition, He promised the presence of His Holy Spirit. Persecution may come, but we’re not alone—and persecution isn't the last chapter.
Question 4:
How can Jesus’ warning keep us from stumbling?
There will be a Sovereign Creator who triumphs in the end. Let your heart be comforted. Persecution is very scary, but it can’t impact the final outcome. Jesus knows what’s going to happen as His people are persecuted, just like He knows His people are victorious forever in Him. Therefore, we don’t anticipate persecution with our fingers crossed, hoping things will work out. We anticipate persecution with our hands folded, knowing the battle has already been won.
Jesus spoke matter-of-factly about hatred that will certainly come to us, but we can rest confidently in Him because He has already won the battle. Jesus would conclude His teaching to His disciples with this wonderful truth: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).
Question 5:
What are some ways we can prepare for persecution?
Engage
ARMOR UP
Read Ephesians 6:10-18. We can prepare for spiritual battle by putting on the whole armor of God. In your journal, outline and then rate the strength of each piece of your armor on the chart—is it strong or weak?
Spiritual ArmorStrong or Weak?
Belt of truth
Belt of truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Gospel of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the Spirit
Evaluate your responses. How can you better prepare for battle in your daily life?
LIVE IT OUT
Becoming more like Jesus means being treated like Jesus. Nevertheless, remaining connected to Him means we're empowered by the same Holy Spirit in the face of adversity. How can you find strength to face persecution yourself or to support others this week?
Strength through prayer. Spend time daily praying for the persecuted church around the world. Use the app Pray for the Persecuted or visit persecution.com to learn about persecuted Christians around the world.
Strength through the Word. Make a list of verses that speak of our hope in Jesus and the hope of heaven. Use these verses to encourage and prepare your heart to stand strong when you face persecution.
Strength in numbers. Partner with your small group to identify a missionary serving in a place of Christian persecution and, as a group, support this person—through prayer, communication, finances, and so on. You can find helpful information at imb.org.
The Lord warned us to prepare to suffer along with other believers. Jesus wanted to help us understand that living connected to Him means we will be mistreated like He was mistreated. But we can endure the hard times because He is with us, and He is worth it.
1. Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995), 604. [Lifeway Adults (2021). (p. 45). Bible Studies for Life: Young Adult Personal Study Guide - CSB - Spring 2022. Lifeway Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
Question 1:
When have you had to prepare for something you knew would be difficult?
THE POINT
Living like Jesus means being treated as He was.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Many questions related to the Christian life don’t fall into life and death categories: What’s your favorite version of the Bible? How can I be a better group member? If a church has a meal at the end of a service, is that called a dinner, a potluck, a fellowship?
Questions like these have lower stakes. However, other questions about our walk with Christ carry great weight: Am I prepared to suffer well? Am I ready to be hated for the sake of Jesus?
Suffering may not be a common topic of conversation in our lives but suffering for the sake of Jesus—being persecuted because we follow Him—is something He told us to expect. In John 15 and 16, on the heels of Christ’s command for us to love one another, the Lord warned us to prepare to suffer along with other believers. Jesus wanted to help us understand that living connected to Him means we will be mistreated like He was mistreated. But we can endure the hard times because He is with us, and He is worth it.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
John 15:18-21
18 “If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. 20 Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they don’t know the one who sent me.
This is a difficult passage to read, but also beautiful and logical. It’s difficult because reading that the world hates the followers of Jesus is jarring, even scary, for those of us who follow Jesus. And it’s beautiful because it reminds us that we’ve been loved by our Savior and called by Him out of a world of death into a world of life.
Jesus’ words are also logical. People who have been brought into the kingdom of God still live in the earthly realm; therefore, they’re going to seem weird, wrong, and out of place to the people of this world. Our hearts, minds, values, and priorities are foreign to those who aren’t followers of Jesus. But we’re still here—standing out because we choose not to live like the world.
Verse 20 says we are servants of our Master, Jesus. Throughout this study we’ve seen how our Master wants us to live, love, and obey as we live connected to Him, but His ways are not the ways of the unbelieving world. His ways appear strange to the rest of the world. Following Jesus is supposed to look different. And conflict—even hatred—is inevitable as a result.
What we believe and what the world believes don’t always line up. Our belief and trust in the resurrected Jesus supports everything in our lives. We live with a desperate longing for the return of Christ. At times, we live so moved by what He did to give us hope, we fight against our sinful human nature in order to be more like Him. And when we are like Him, we are not like so many others in the world. We are aliens. We are strangers. We are hostiles. We are “not of the world.”
Question 2:
What is it about Jesus that many people find objectionable?
There comes a point when the culture around us says, “We won’t take this ‘Jesus stuff’ anymore.” The thinking of the kingdom of heaven is too foreign and offensive to the culture, and the followers of Jesus are persecuted just as Jesus was persecuted. As Jesus said, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” When we bear the name of Jesus and live like Jesus, persecution is sure to come.
John 15:22-25
22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 The one who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this happened so that the statement written in their law might be fulfilled: They hated me for no reason.
Jesus brought a full picture and realization of the truth and an opportunity for people to accept Him. As Leon Morris noted: “The seriousness of rejecting Christ is brought out. Jesus does not mean, of course, that the Jews would have been sinless had he not appeared. But he does mean that the sin of rejecting God as he really is would not have been imputed to them had they not had the revelation of God that was made through him. But now, as things are, they have no excuse. There is no way of covering up their sin.”1
No one is without excuse. Even those without a gospel witness have the general revelation of nature to point them to God (see Romans 1:18-20). Jesus is talking about those who clearly have no excuse, for they saw and heard Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Jewish people witnessed the best thing that could ever happen to them—Jesus Himself. Tragically, they rejected that which they needed most.
The people saw Jesus serve extravagantly. Jesus taught brilliantly and passionately. He healed freely and lovingly. He ushered in a new kingdom of repentance that leads to life, showing people that He was the answer to their deepest need. The people saw all this, and they violently opposed Him. For many, the truth was revealed, but hatefully rejected. This is still happening today.
My wife and I were at a restaurant with some friends from church, including a woman who was new to our church. At some point, she shared how her eyes had been opened to who Jesus is. She was from a Muslim family in a Middle Eastern country, but by the Holy Spirit working through the gospel, she became so clearly convinced of her need for Christ that she was willing to make the huge break from her culture, accept Christ, and become a Christian. When she shared with her parents what God had done in her heart, her father told her he never wanted to see her again. I asked her when she had last seen her family. She said, “I haven’t seen them in a few years. I talk to my mom every once in a while, but she tells me to stay away because my dad wants me dead.”
She found and embraced the truth in Jesus. She shared that same truth with her family, but they so thoroughly rejected the truth that they kicked her out and even threatened to kill her. That's the reality of two worlds coming into conflict. The world continues to reject Jesus despite the beautiful truth He has revealed.
Question 3:
What are some ways we can respond when someone rejects the truth about Jesus?
John 16:1-4a
1 “I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling. 2 They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father or me. 4a But I have told you these things so that when their time comes you will remember I told them to you.
Those who hate Jesus also hate His followers. They don’t just express this hate in their emotions; they display it in their actions. We shouldn’t be shocked; we should be prepared.
All the disciples who first heard Jesus speak these words were killed for following Jesus, except John, who wrote this Gospel. And they weren’t the only ones. The early church experienced periods of persecution and martyrdom. For over two thousand years men and women all over the world have suffered and died because they were following Jesus. Even today, people pay the ultimate price for their faith in Christ.
Jesus wanted His followers to be well aware of what could happen. “I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling.” I hope you hear a ring of encouragement in that. None of this will ever catch Him by surprise. He is still God, and God is still in control. In addition, He promised the presence of His Holy Spirit. Persecution may come, but we’re not alone—and persecution isn't the last chapter.
Question 4:
How can Jesus’ warning keep us from stumbling?
There will be a Sovereign Creator who triumphs in the end. Let your heart be comforted. Persecution is very scary, but it can’t impact the final outcome. Jesus knows what’s going to happen as His people are persecuted, just like He knows His people are victorious forever in Him. Therefore, we don’t anticipate persecution with our fingers crossed, hoping things will work out. We anticipate persecution with our hands folded, knowing the battle has already been won.
Jesus spoke matter-of-factly about hatred that will certainly come to us, but we can rest confidently in Him because He has already won the battle. Jesus would conclude His teaching to His disciples with this wonderful truth: “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).
Question 5:
What are some ways we can prepare for persecution?
Engage
ARMOR UP
Read Ephesians 6:10-18. We can prepare for spiritual battle by putting on the whole armor of God. In your journal, outline and then rate the strength of each piece of your armor on the chart—is it strong or weak?
Spiritual ArmorStrong or Weak?
Belt of truth
Belt of truth
Breastplate of righteousness
Gospel of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of salvation
Sword of the Spirit
Evaluate your responses. How can you better prepare for battle in your daily life?
LIVE IT OUT
Becoming more like Jesus means being treated like Jesus. Nevertheless, remaining connected to Him means we're empowered by the same Holy Spirit in the face of adversity. How can you find strength to face persecution yourself or to support others this week?
Strength through prayer. Spend time daily praying for the persecuted church around the world. Use the app Pray for the Persecuted or visit persecution.com to learn about persecuted Christians around the world.
Strength through the Word. Make a list of verses that speak of our hope in Jesus and the hope of heaven. Use these verses to encourage and prepare your heart to stand strong when you face persecution.
Strength in numbers. Partner with your small group to identify a missionary serving in a place of Christian persecution and, as a group, support this person—through prayer, communication, finances, and so on. You can find helpful information at imb.org.
The Lord warned us to prepare to suffer along with other believers. Jesus wanted to help us understand that living connected to Him means we will be mistreated like He was mistreated. But we can endure the hard times because He is with us, and He is worth it.
1. Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995), 604. [Lifeway Adults (2021). (p. 45). Bible Studies for Life: Young Adult Personal Study Guide - CSB - Spring 2022. Lifeway Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]