Day Three Mark 13:9-13
9 “When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. 10 For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. 11 But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 13 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Discover
1. What opportunity does Jesus tell the disciples they will have when they are being persecuted by the religious leaders (verse 9)?
2. Why do the disciples not need to worry (verse 11)?
3. How are verses 12 and 13 both discouraging and encouraging?
Respond
Jesus speaks to His disciples about the types of persecution they could expect in their lifetime, but His words apply to us as well. Jesus never spoke a message of ease and comfort. Following Him would come with a cost, just as it does today. If you put yourself in the shoes of these disciples, would you be willing to go through the same persecution for Jesus? Are you always looking for an opportunity to tell both your friends and persecutors about Him? Spend time now asking God to grow your faith to the point that you're willing to follow Him no matter the cost.
For Further Reading: What this 19-year-old author learned from the persecuted church
For Families with Kids at Home
Jesus never promises us an easy life, but he does promise to go with us wherever we go! This isn’t just true of adults, it’s true for our kids too! Ask your kids about common instances of peer pressure - posture it as being curious and seeking to understand what they’re going through! Encourage them that while following Jesus might not always be the most popular thing, Jesus always promises to be with us and to help us do the right thing!
*TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.