Key Bible Passage(s):

Matthew 5:38-48; Eph.6:12-20; II Cor.5:18-19

Tier 1:

This can be an intimidating topic to explore, and unnerving for people. The idea of showing forgiveness and grace to those who persecute the Church is one of the deepest and most fundamental aspects of Christian discipleship. It is core to Jesus’ teaching, and yet our very familiarity with that teaching can deafen us to how radical it is. In this session we not only confront that teaching, but see it in operation through the stroy of Gladys Staines.

Tier 2:

We revisit the idea that we must understand the spiritual dynamics of persecution and hostility if we are to respond well to it. Yes, people are invovled, but ‘our struggle is not against flesh and blood’. This determines our response. We are not aiming to ‘win’, to be vindicated, or to dominate those who hate us. Rather we are concerned to reconcile them to Christ and to us. Our response to the suffering inflicted by others can be a powerful evangelistic force.

Tier 3:

There is a personal cost to responding as Jesus models and teaches. The reality of hostility, and thus of our need to respond with forgiveness and love, may be an ongoing phenomenon. To sustain such a posture of soul can be demanding, and we will need the support and invovlement of our Church if our disicpleship is to be sustained under the pressure of persecution.

When people come close to each other, they see themselves in each other's eyes. In your eyes, I see myself. I used to be impulsive too. I used to rage and strike out at others with sharp words and selfish thoughts—until I learned what it means to love. When you're able to love, you're able to sacrifice yourself for the truth. Since I learned that lesson, my hands do not clench into fists.

Sabrina Wurmbrand

I learned from [the communist guards]. As they allowed no place for Jesus in their hearts, I decided I would not leave the smallest place for Satan in mine. . . . God will judge us not according to how much we endured, but how much we could love.

Richard Wurmbrand

Discussion Groups:

When you are hurt by others, or face anger / hostility from them (because of your faith), what temptations do you face?

What does it mean to forgive?  Why is it so hard to forgive? 

What else might you need to do in the wake of confrontation, rejection or anger?

…and later in the session:

What does Jesus teach about how we should respond to opposition?

are there any extenuating circumstances in which you think Jesus’ teaching doesn’t apply?

How can you put Jesus’ teaching into practise?  What obstacles do you experience / anticipate in this?

What would you need from your fellowship group to help you with that?

Homework:

If you didn’t do it last week, visit the Open Doors Website and do something from the ‘Get Involved’ drop down menu

Watch the Gladys Staines interview… (30 mins, the first few minutes are about her agreeing to a film being made about her experience ‘The Least of These’. Then the interview turns to the events surrounding her family’s death, and her own response of forgiveness and testimony to Christ. )

Next session, we’ll be having a Bring and Share meal to mark the end of the term, and to celebrate those who are finishing DTP. Prepare a dish to ‘bring and share’.