There were eleven of us present last Wed, March 2nd, at the Udouj/Bell Life Group meeting as we paused our Hebrews study at the end of chapter 11 to look at the persecuted church in our day, with an emphasis on what we should be doing and can be doing to help. We watched a movie on the patio by the fire entitled, A Cry from Iran, The Untold Story of Iranian Christian Martyrs, then we discussed it's impact on us. It was an insightful and moving time. The movie is available for any who would like to borrow it, to share with other groups, families, or simply to watch it again.
Below is the handout we used in our discussion to lead us to consider the persecuted church in our times.
This week we will meet at the Bell home, 6:30 pm, March 9th, and take up our study of Hebrews at Chapter 12. And perhaps continue our discussion of the persecuted church. See you there!
Shalom in Christ Jesus, our Savior, King, and High Priest before the very Throne of God,
Dwayne
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One (Persecuted) Church
[1] I know very little about the persecuted church in the world. T F
[2] I have prayed for a persecuted church or Christian personally. T F
[3] I can name 3 countries where Christians are persecuted. T F
[4] I send money to an organization who helps the persecuted. T F
[5] I know what the Bible tells me to do about the persecuted. T F
[6] I know what God would have me do for the persecuted. T F
[7] I am doing something to help the persecuted church. T F
[8] I know a story about a persecuted Christian that moves me. T F
[9] I don’t believe the persecuted church is relevant to my life. T F
[10] I would like to know more, and what I should be doing. T F
[11] I have at least one friend who talks about the persecuted. T F
[12] I have heard some teaching in church about the persecuted. T F
[13] I can name 2 organizations that help persecuted Christians. T F
[14] I want to know what I can do to help persecuted Christians. T F
[WATCH THE FILM, A CRY FROM IRAN]
Personal Notes to jot down from the film after or as we watch:
(What stands out to you personally, or touches your heart?)
(What did you see that you had no idea about?)
(What did you feel, and what would you do if you and your family lived there?)
[Charles Simpson shared with me by email on February 29th, what he would want to get across to the church in our day about our persecuted brothers and sisters around the globe. Please consider his words with me.]
“Heb 13:3 tells us how to regard those who are prisoners for the gospel. In addition, one of Jesus' ministries and means of judging our works was our involvement with those in prison ( I think that He was referring specifically to those unjustly persecuted.) Injustice is a cause that is on God's heart.
What I want to highlight is our identification with our persecuted brothers and sisters. There is only One church. If one suffers we all do.
Persecuted Christians should awaken us all to the battle between good and evil and to our role in standing together. When we make the issues known it pleases God and rebukes the enemy!”
Links and Resources:
“Had the book of Hebrews been written in our time, he (Haik) would have been mentioned there.” Robbie Zacharias
The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken
The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripken
The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun
You can search the web for other ways to help, and ask the Spirit to direct you to your place on the wall in support of other believers worldwide, many who are persecuted for their faith in Christ.
“considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:26)
“And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.” (Matthew 11:12)
“Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.” (Hebrews 13:3)
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