Sunday School Lesson April 3, 2022
Subject: A Life of Persecution
The Point: Living like Jesus means being treated as He was.
The Passages: John 15:18-25; 16:1-4a
Study The Bible: John 15:18-21
1). The world opposes us when we live like Jesus.
- If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you.
- If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.
- Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
- But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they don’t know the one who sent me.
Lasting truths from: John 15:18-21
* Many people in the world will hate and persecute those who follow Jesus.
* Jesus’ followers keep His words; they obey His commands.
* Those who persecute Jesus’ follow may know something about God, but do not know Him personally. Those who persecute Jesus’s followers don’t know God the Father.
2). The world rejects Jesus in spite of the truth He has revealed.
John 15:22-25
- If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin.
- The one who hates me also hates my Father.
- If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not be guilty of sin. Now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.
- But this happened so that the statement written in their law might be fulfilled: They hated me for no reason.
Lasting truth from: John 15:22-25
* People have no reason for rejecting and hating Jesus.
* Anyone who hates and rejects Jesus also hates and rejects God the Father.
* Jesus has a unique relationship with God the Father.
3). Anticipating persecution will help us have a steadfast faith.
John 16:1-4a
- I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling,
- They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God.
- They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father or me.
4a. But I have told you these things so that when their time comes you will remember I told them to you.
Lasting truth from: John 16:1-4a
* Knowing we will face persecution helps us be steadfast in our faith.
* Those who persecute Christians know neither God nor Jesus Christ.
* When you know God the Father, you also will know God the Son.
* When we remember Jesus’ words, we prepare ourselves for the future.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- How can persecution be a good thing in your life?
- How do you explain the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
- What is your response to the hate you experience because you are a follower of Jesus?
- What will you do this week to strengthen your faith?
- What are some positive results of strengthening your faith?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”