“BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED”
Season: Beatitudes
Episode 8: “Blessed are the Persecuted”
Today’s Bible Bite: Matthew 5:10 – “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (NLT)
Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t11uUtscL8 (Douglas Talks – Blessed are the Persecuted)
“…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12, NLT)
None of us likes it when others are mean to us, but the Bible is pretty clear that when we try to live the way God wants us to, some people won’t like it. They may make fun of us or they may call us names. They may even try to tell us that we’re wrong or bad for following God. In some countries around the world, it is actually dangerous to live for God and believe in Jesus; some Christians face the threat of imprisonment and even death if they let people know they believe in Jesus!
In the Bible this is called persecution. Persecution is nothing we should want, but Jesus has warned us that if we follow Him we should expect it. That might make us scared to follow Jesus, but God has promised to bless people who are persecuted for doing what’s right during this life; anyone who faces persecution here, is promised a reward from God—a place in heaven with Him where they will live forever. Being treated meanly is not something anyone wants, but if people treat us badly for doing what’s right, God has promised that He’s on our side. No matter how people may treat us, we know that God will help us and give us the best reward ever—eternal life with Him in heaven.
Think about it...
• Jesus warned His followers that they would be persecuted. Why might someone be mean to someone just because they believe in Jesus?
• We might be scared to tell people about Jesus because of how they will respond. Have you ever had someone tease you or make fun of you because you believe in God?
• God knows that it isn’t easy to be a Christian, but He has promised to help us. How does God help us?
• Life on earth feels like a long time, but compared to life in heaven it’s not. How would you explain what ‘eternal life’ means?
Prayer: Thank you, God, that we can believe in Jesus, have a relationship with you and spend the rest of our lives in heaven with you. Help us not to be scared to always do what is right and to tell others about you. Help us to be kind to those who are mean to us because we are your followers.