Persecution Around the World

Items Needed: 10 index cards or pieces of paper Two bags or jars (to hold the index cards)

Paul and Barnabas traveled to many different cities on their first missionary trip. They went to the different synagogues and told the people about Jesus. Many people believed, but many did not believe and gathered a mob to attack and throw large stones at them to try and kill them.

Not everyone is happy when others tell him or her about Jesus. Some people may not like it and say or do mean things. Many people are persecuted because they believe in and tell others about Jesus.

What does it mean to be persecuted? (To be treated in a cruel or harsh way because of what you believe or do)

How were Paul and Barnabas persecuted? (People spoke against them, people tried to kill them by throw large rocks at them, etc.)

Persecution of Christians still happens today. Christians are harassed, mistreated, beaten, and even killed in many countries, just because they are Christians.

Write each of the following five countries (top countries where Christians are persecuted) on a separate index card or piece of paper.

 1. North Korea                                             

 2. Iran                  

 3. Afghanistan      

 4. Saudi Arabia        

 5. Somalia

(From opendoorsusa.org/worldwatchlist)

Write each of the following requests on a separate index card.

God, please help the believers to have strength when they face hard times.

Please help the families of those in prison.

Help those persecuted to be filled with love and forgiveness.

Please help the persecuted Christians not to give up.

Give the church leaders wisdom and courage to lead their people.

Put the countries in one bag and the prayers in a separate bag. Each day, pick a country and a prayer and use them as a guide to pray for the persecuted people in that country. Optional: Locate these countries on a world map or globe.

Asking for Courage

Items Needed: slips of paper

How did Paul and Barnabas show courage when they were persecuted? (They went back to the city where others had tried to kill them; they were not afraid of what others might do to them; they still did what was right, etc.)

It takes courage to stand up and do the right thing when others are making fun of you or don't like what you are saying or doing.

When do you need courage?

  Write each of the following situations on slips of paper and take turns drawing one. Read each of the following situations and ask: What can you say or do to show courage?

You are at a sleepover and some kids want to watch a TV show your parents don't allow you to watch.

Some friends start making fun of another girl's clothes.

Your teacher said that the world evolved over billions of years.

You want to say a prayer at the restaurant, but you're worried about what others might think.

You want to invite your friend to church.

Say a prayer, asking God for courage to face difficult situations.

Isaiah 41:10

 Items needed: pieces of copy or construction paper and masking tape

Review a Bible verse that can help you have courage!

Students are still learning Isaiah 41:10. Write each phrase of the verse on a piece of copy or construction paper. Lay these in a random pattern on the sidewalk. (You may need a piece of masking tape to secure these to the ground.) Take turns jumping from one phrase to (saying the phrase aloud) to the other to complete the verse. Don't forget to include the reference - Isaiah 41:10.

Blob Tag

Play Blob Tag. The object of the game is to tag all players, making them part of the Blob.

The game starts out as an ordinary game of tag except that as players are tagged, they join hands with the Blob (the person who is "it") and become part of the Blob themselves. Only the outside hands of the Blob can be used for tagging. The last person caught becomes the new Blob. (From the book, Games, compiled by Mary Hohenstein). 

After playing, share a snack (popsicles or something to help everybody cool down) and talk about it.

What was the hardest part of the game?

What would have happened if the Blob wanted to go one way but the others wanted to go a different direction?

How did you work together?

It is important to work together to play the game. It is important to work together and learn to solve disagreements. 

Steps to Disintegrate Disagreements

Items needed: Things that kids might argue over (remote control, video game, one cookie, a favorite toy, etc.)

Put items in a bag. Pair up family members and let them choose an item from the bag. Give them a few minutes to come up with a short skit about a disagreement with their chosen item. Take turns acting out the skits for each other.

Ask:

Did you know that the people in the early church had disagreements?

Disagreements are going to happen. (If there is only one of something, there will be a disagreement!)

What disagreement did you learn about? (There was a disagreement over how people could be saved; some people said that the new believers had to keep the Jewish law to be right with God, etc.)

Upper elementary students learned three steps the apostles used to solve disagreements.

1. Consider others.

Pride keeps us focused on how I like things, how I do things, or how I want things, instead of how others think or even what God wants. When we consider others' opinions and suggestions, we can work on a solution. The Bible tells us to love others and to be patient with them.

2. Stay calm.

What happens when we get angry? (We say or do things, we may attack the person instead of trying to find a solution, and we aren't able to listen to others.)

3. Talk it out. (Don't forget to listen.)

When the Christian believers did not agree, they talked about the problem. And remember, there was not just talking, but there was also listening.

Too often, we simply do not listen to the others. Why? (Because we are too concerned about stating our own feelings and opinions)

How does it make a person feel when his side is not being heard - when it seems that the others are too busy talking to listen? (Frustrated, unimportant, not respected)

Disagreements will happen, but just as the early church worked together to solve a disagreement, we can too!

Write out the steps on construction paper (let kids decorate the page, if you like) and post them on the refrigerator. Read them aloud and follow the steps when they have a disagreement.

Working Together

Item needed: puzzle (Make one, if you don't have a simple puzzle. Draw a picture on the inside back of a cereal box. Cut in puzzle pieces.)

Work together to complete the puzzle.

Why is it hard to work together? (We want to be first, we want to put the last piece in the puzzle, we want all the attention, we don't want to share, etc.)

It feels good to accomplish things together.

Read John 17:2-22. Jesus prayed that we would be united.

What are we showing when we are united and work together? (That we can be like the Father and the Son, so others may believe in Jesus, etc.)