Discussion Questions

What is a story of the persecution of believers that has made an impression on you?
How does learning about the persecuted Church change your perspective on what it means to follow Jesus?
How is it comforting to know that God will bring ultimate justice and judgment on those who do evil to others?
When has your faith in the justice of God been tested nearly to breaking?
How can you prepare for suffering, even suffering because of persecution?
In what ways have you sought to put Jesus at the highest place in your heart and life?
Who is someone you know now who needs to be encouraged and served because they are suffering?

Prayer Points

Pray for the persecuted Church around the world. Some of the greatest persecution is happening in North Korea, India, Northern Africa, China and Middle Eastern countries.
Pray for the believers in your life or in the church who you know are facing suffering of various kinds.
- Pray that God would send them relief.
- Pray that God would sustain their faith.
- Pray that they will persevere until Christ returns.
Pray for your own heart and those of your family, that God will help you put Christ as the highest source of joy, satisfaction, and hope. Then you will be prepared to face persecution or suffering.
Pray that our church will grow in peace or persecution and that we as believers will grow whether we suffer or live in safety.