Key Bible Passage(s):

Acts 16:19-21; 17:5-15; 18:12-13; 19:28-29.

Tier 1

The life we are invited into as a disciple of Christ is cross shaped. This raises the question of suffering and sacrifice in the cause of discipleship (as opposed to the question of suffering more generally). We will be specifically looking at the question of suffering and sacrifice we are called to as disciples of the crucified Messiah. In the West, we have learned to read the Bible in a way that somehow eclipses this.  But the New Testament is written by people suffering for the Gospel to people suffering for the Gospel.

Tier 2

Persecution can be motivated by a range of drivers (political, cultural, ecenomic, emotional etc.), but whatever is provoking the Church’s suffering, we see in Acts their acceptance of this as a normal part of their spiritual experience. Jesus has taught them to expect it, and there is no rebuke or caution to be more wise or winsome in the future. When we try and recalibrate Christianity into something that doesn’t entail suffering and sacrifice, we distort what Jesus taught.

Tier 3

Not only does the Church regard persecution as normal Christian experience, it rejoices in the privelege of suffering and trusts God’s purposes in that suffering. Underpinning that attitude is a profound vision of the Lord’s sovereignty over their suffering, and His purposes in it. The pattern throughout the Book of Acts is that the Church grows in the wake of persecution.

Never did the church so much prosper and so truly thrive as when she was baptized in the blood. The ship of the church never sails so gloriously along as when the bloody spray of her martyrs falls on her deck. We must suffer and we must die, if we are ever to conquer this world for Christ.

Charles Spurgeon

Discussion Questions:

What is there about the Church in the Book of Acts that you would love to see recaptured in the experience of the (British) Church today [or more specifically: our Church]? Can you explain why? ... and maybe how?

What would you say were the marks of a Spirit-filled Christian?

Under what circumstances do you feel it is appropriate to share your faith? When do you feel comfortable / uncomfortable talking about Jesus / your relationship with Him?

And later in the session:

Acts 2:47, ‘they ... enjoyed the favour of all the people’.  How did the Church go from this to the litany of suffering we read in the rest of Acts?

Read Acts 7:54-60.  What parallels can you spot between Stephen’s death and that of Jesus (Lk.22:67-71; 23:34, 46; 24:19)?  Why do you think that Luke draws these parallels out?  Have a look at Luke 6:40 if you’re stuck.  What do we learn here about Jesus’ vision for discipleship?

Have another look at Acts 5:41. Why would Christians rejoice and consider it an honour to suffer for Christ?  Do you share this perspective?  Have you ever suffered for ‘the Name’?  How could we cultivate this way of thinking?  Would you want to?

Why do you think the preaching of the Gospel in Acts so often produces a violent reaction, but not in the UK in the 20th / 21st Century?

Do you anticipate the Church in the UK to ever have to suffer in the way we see the Church elsewhere in the world suffering?  Why / Why not?

Homework:

Read and Reflect on Matthew 10 ahead of next session.

Let me know if you would be willing to talk about your experience of DTP from the front of Church. As we prepare to start a second cycle, it would be great if folk could get a vision of the difference DTP can make!

Watch this video of a talk given by Josef Tson. We will begin our next session discussion what he says.