Building Faith Muscles

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Jude 17 - 25

TO CHEW ON: "In the last time there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires...But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit." Jude 18b, 20

Have you ever met a scoffer? That’s someone who mocks or jeers you for who you are, what you are doing, or what you believe in. How many of these Bible scoffers can you name? (Need help? See the names of Bible scoffers and references below.)


1. “Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks...Come here and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.” ____________

2. “He saved others but he cannot safe himself. He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross and we’ll believe in him.” _______________

3. “What they are building – if even a fox climbed upon it, he would break down their wall of stones.” _________________

4. “What is this babbler trying to say?” ________________


Bible scoffers:
- Chief priests and teachers (Matthew 27:41,42)
- Goliath (1 Samuel 17:43,44)
- Philosophers of Athens (Acts 17:16-18)
- Tobiah (Nehemiah 4:3).

How did these people reply to those who scoffed at them?

David and Paul spoke words of faith in God. Jesus was silent. Nehemiah prayed.

Jude 18 and 20 tells us another thing we can do to help us stand strong: ____________ ____________ _____ in your most holy _____________.


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to have a strong faith that can stand under scoffing. Amen.


MORE: Faith Gym
Which things, below, would help you build up your faith?
1. Read stories from the Bible of people who overcame scoffers.

2. Watch TV shows and movies which make fun of Christians.

3. Memorize Bible verses which give an answer to scoffers.

4. Read books which try to convince you God doesn’t exist.

5. When you’re with mockers, pretend you don’t believe in God so they won’t pick on you.

6. Read biographies of strong Christians which tell stories of God’s reality and power.

ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Insults = Blessings?

TODAY’S SPECIAL: I Peter 4:12-19

TO CHEW ON: "If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." I Peter 4:14

Which of these things has happened to you because you are a Christian?
- called names
- left out
- teased
- made fun of

It’s not fun going through things like that. But it shouldn’t surprise us. People in the past were insulted and persecuted because they trusted in God:

"Goliath" - Artist unknown

"David" - Artist Unknown

• David’s older brother made fun of him when David came to the battlefield and started asking questions about why no one was challenging Goliath when he insulted God. (1 Samuel 17:28)

• Nehemiah was teased by Sanballat and Tobiah when he began rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. They made fun of his work, joking, “..if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones.” (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:3).

• Jesus said that his followers would be arrested, persecuted, even killed (John 15:20).

Which statements below are True? Which are False (if you’re not sure, read Luke 21:12-16 and Revelation 2:10)

1. ____ Jesus’ followers will be arrested and in this way have a chance to tell kings and governors about Jesus.

2. ____ Christians should worry about and plan what to say when questioned by those who arrest them.

3. ____ Christians will be betrayed only by strangers, never by family, friends or relatives.

4. ____ Jesus will give a crown of life to those who are faithful to Him through persecution.


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to stay Your loyal friend no matter what. Amen

MORE: Have You Been Persecuted?
Write about a time you or someone else was treated badly for believing in Jesus.

ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fiery Trial

TODAY’S SPECIAL: I Peter 1:3-9

TO CHEW ON: "These (trials) have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.." I Peter 1:7

The year was 64 A.D. One night the sky above Rome glowed bright long after the sun had set. Soon the air was thick with smoke. The streets filled with panicky people crying, “Help! Fire! The city is burning!”

The burning of Rome - Artist unknown

But at the emperor’s palace Nero laughed at the dancing flames. Then legend tells us that he took his fiddle and began to play.

“Who set the fire?” the people asked later. Many thought Nero, who liked to build things, set it himself so he could build Rome over again. Nero blamed the Christians.

Immediately soldiers arrested many. They wrapped some in animal skins and threw them into the arena where they were torn by dogs or eaten by wild animals in front of cheering crowds. They tied some to poles in Nero’s garden, poured tar over them, and burned them alive. It was during this time that the Apostle Paul was killed.

"Parting of St.s Peter and Paul led to Martyrdom - Giovanni Serodine, 1625-26

Two years after the fire of Rome (66 A.D.), Jesus’ disciple Peter wrote the letter 1 Peter. He wrote this letter to scared Christians living outside Rome. They were being persecuted too. He didn’t tell these Christians they wouldn’t have trials or persecution.

Christians were thrown to wild animals in the arena - Artist unknown

Rather, Peter told his readers that their trials had a purpose. What was it (1 Peter 1:7)?

These trials have come so that your faith may be proved _______________ and may result in _____________, _______________ and _____________ when Jesus Christ is revealed.

It is the same for us today. We may not have an easy life. In some places, it is illegal to be a Christian. People are threatened, hurt, even killed for believing in Jesus. But people who endure persecution in this life will get praise, glory and honor when they meet Jesus.


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I pray my faith would also be proved genuine (the real thing) through trials that come my way. Amen.



MORE: The Early Church
Look in books, encyclopedias, or on the internet to find out more about the early church.

1. Where did they meet?
2. What day did they meet together?
3. What things did they do when they got together?
4. What happened as a result of persecution?
5. What were catacombs? What part did they play in the early church?

ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jailed

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 28:11-16; 30-31

TO CHEW ON: "Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 28:31

Three months after the shipwreck Paul, his guards and companions set sail again. Soon they arrived in Rome. When they got there, the soldiers took Paul to a house.

"Arrival at Rome" by Johann C. Weigel, 1695

For two years he had to stay in that house with someone guarding him all the time.

"Paul preaches at Rome under guard" - Artist unknown

Even though he was a prisoner, Paul didn’t whine, sulk or feel sorry for himself. What did he do? (Find the words for the blanks in the word bank below - Acts 28:31)

He __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ the __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of __ __ __ and __ __ __ __ __ __ about __ __ __ __ __

God   Jesus

preached   kingdom

taught

You are probably not in a physical prison. But some things can make you feel as trapped as if you were. Things like being sick, being bullied, and failing at school can have you hoping and praying to be set free.

What is your prison? Pray that God will be with you, that you will feel Him beside you and that you will be set free!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please be with me even when I’m in a place where I’d rather not be. Amen.

"And they pulled me up out of the well"
Illustrationsby Annie Vallotton from the Good News Bible
© American Bible Society 1976, 1992, used with permission.

MORE: Bible Jailbirds
Paul was not the first person from the Bible to spend time in jail. Unscramble the names of these Bible characters and match them with their crime.

A. Caught and jailed after his hair was cut. __ __ __ __ __ __

B. Put in prison to silence them from talking about Jesus. __ __ __ __ __ & __ __ __ __

C. Jailed because his master’s wife lied about him. __ __ __ __ __ __

D. Accused of being a deserter and put in a dungeon. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

E. Jailed because he condemned King Herod for living with his brother’s wife. __ __ __ __


NOJH the Baptist (Matthew 14:3-4)
HEOJSP (Genesis 39:17-20)
HMRIEJEA (Jeremiah 37:11-16)
NSMOAS (Judges 16:20-21)
REEPT & HOJN (Acts 4:1-3)


ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Ephesus Riot

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 19:23-41

TO CHEW ON: "About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way." Acts 19:23

"Paul preaching before the Temple of Diana at Ephesus" - by Adolf Pirsch, 1885

It didn’t take long for the people in Ephesus to notice the enthusiastic Christians. Demetrius, a man who made and sold silver idols of the goddess Artemis, saw that if people kept believing in Jesus there would soon be no one left to buy his idols.

He called a meeting of other silversmiths and crafts people and complained about Paul and this new religion.

"Demetrius the silversmith stirs up a riot" by Edward H. Corbould, 1894

Quickly the crowd turned ugly. They rioted, shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.” When Paul tried to go into the theater where they were having their meeting and talk to them, his friends held him back. They knew the crowd was so angry they could easily hurt or kill Paul.

"The riot at Ephesus" - Artist unknown

In case you think this kind of thing only happened in Bible times, look around the world. In Sudan, government officials have torn down more than ten Christian churches. In India, people demonstrated outside a police station against a Christian man who rescued teenage girls from abuse and gave them Bibles. Believing in “The Way” (to God through Jesus) still sparks riots and violence.

Let's pray for people who live in countries where talking about Jesus is a crime and where doing that gets them in big trouble. Let's pray for courage to live and speak boldly for Jesus wherever we live.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please help me to have the courage to follow You even if the crowds are against You. Amen.


MORE: Ephesus

• The ruins of the city of Ephesus where Paul preached are in modern-day Turkey. Go here to see a panorama of the Ephesus ruins.

• The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. 

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Jail Joy

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 16:23-34

TO CHEW ON: "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:25

What things would fill you with joy?
1. Getting a new pet.
2. Winning a contest.
3. Being teased about being a Christian.
4. Finishing a hard job.
5. Being arrested for helping someone.

My guess is you didn’t choose 3. and 5. But Paul and Silas were joyful even after helping someone and being put in jail for it.

After the Philippi officials beat them, Paul and Silas were locked in a jail cell for helping the slave girl. But they didn’t get angry, complain, whine or grumble. Instead they prayed and sang hymns.

What happened next gave them even more reason for joy. An earthquake shook the jail. Their chains came loose. The doors flew open.

"Earthquake in the prison" - Sir James Thornhill

The jailer, afraid that everyone would escape, was ready to harm himself.

"Paul and Silas with the Jailer" - Artist unknown

But Paul and Silas didn’t run. Instead they calmed the desperate jailer and told him no one was going to escape.

Maybe Paul and Silas’s reaction to their beating made the jailor curious. Maybe the prayers they prayed and the songs they sang made him want to know their God. Because the jailer then asked them a strange question. What was it? (Acts 16:30) 1.______________________________________________

The Philippian Jailer - Artist unknown

The jailor and his family accepted Jesus that night and were baptized. Then he and his family were also filled with (Acts 16:34) 2. ______________ .

When we live for Jesus He gives us this unexplainable joy. Things around us might be falling apart. We might be in big trouble. But still, we are joyful because we know Jesus is with us. He takes care of us and gives us joy even in the middle of problems,

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You that the joy You give us is stronger than the things that go wrong in our lives. Amen.


MORE: Jails
- Find out about jails in Bible times
- Look at a picture of Philippian jail ruins which may be the prison where Paul and Silas were kept.


ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Fickle Crowd

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 14:8-20

TO CHEW ON: "Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead." Acts 14:19

Have you ever been to a sports game where the hometown team starts making mistakes? Very quickly a cheering crowd turns into a hissing, booing one.

Paul and Barnabas found this out. When they came to Lystra, Paul healed a man who had never walked.

"Paul heals the man at Lystra" - Caspar Luiken, 1672-1708

After seeing that, the people were in awe of Barnabas and Paul.

"Paul in Lystra" - Artist unknown, 1897

They tried to pray to them. Paul quickly told them to stop and explained they should worship only the God of heaven.

"In Lystra" - Artist unknown

But then some of the Jewish leaders from the towns where Paul and Barnabas had visited earlier, arrived in Lystra. They persuaded the crowd Paul and Barnabas were bad men who deserved death. The crowd turned from worshiping Paul and Barnabas to trying to kill Paul. They stoned him then they dragged him outside the city thinking he was dead.

"Paul stoned" by J. C. Weigel, 1695

We can’t measure our success by how we’re treated by the crowd. We may be popular with the crowd one day, and persecuted the next. Instead we live to please only one person. Who is that?
- Our parent?
- Our friend?
- Ourselves?
- Jesus?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to stay loyal to You, no matter what the crowd around me does. Amen.


MORE: Many Miles
Draw the rest of Paul’s journey and the return trip on your map.
1. From Iconium to –> Lystra to –> Derbe.
2. The return trip: Lystra –> Iconium –> Antioch –> through Pisidia –> Pamphylia –> Perga –> Attalia –> sailed back to Antioch

3. Bible teachers think Paul and Barnabas were away on their mission trip for a year and a half (18 months). In that time they covered about 1250 miles. They traveled most of the land miles by foot – walking!

ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Obedience + Persecution = Joy

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 13:42-52

TO CHEW ON: "And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." Acts 13:52

Barnabas and Paul traveled to Perga and then to Psidian Antioch. When they preached in the church (synagogue), many people listened and believed. In fact at one meeting almost the whole town came out to listen.

"Through this man (Jesus) is preached the forgiveness of sins" - Artist unknown

But the Jewish leaders didn’t like Paul and Barnabas because they said the good news about Jesus was for non-Jews (Gentiles). When more and more people believed, the Jewish leaders got jealous. They gossiped and lied about Paul and Barnabas and turned the city’s important people against them. Soon persecution started again. Barnabas and Paul had to leave town.

"Paul stirs up Antioch" - Artist unknown

What did Paul and Barnabas do? (Acts 13:51,52)
1. They were afraid and stopped preaching.
2. They were angry and fought against those who made them leave.
3. They left, but were joyful because they had done all they could to tell people about Jesus.

How could the disciples be joyful even when they were hassled and chased out of town? It was because they knew they were doing the job God had given them to do. It wasn’t their job to make people like them, agree with them or believe what they said. Only God could do that. But it was their job to tell about Jesus. When they did that, they were joyful, even though their hearers were mean to them.

Still today we can have joy in the middle of persecution. Such joy isn’t based on outward success but the satisfaction of knowing we are obeying and pleasing God.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to be joyful in persecution. Amen.

MORE: Joyful Times
• The Bible talks about people having joy at different times. Match each joyful occasion with its Bible reference. (Careful, there’s one that isn’t true! Which one is it?)

1. When they saw a star.
2. When Jesus came back to life
3. When being persecuted
4. Trusting Jesus is real, though we haven’t seen Him
5. When reaching our ambitions
6. When in God’s presence
7. When prayers are answered
8. When “eating” God’s Word

A. Psalm 16:11    B. 1 Peter 1:8  

C. Matthew 2:7-10   D. Jeremiah 15:16

E. Acts 13:50-52  F. Matthew 28:8 

G. John 16:24

• The trip goes on. Mark Paul’s mission trip route to these cities on your map:
Acts 13:13-14


ANSWERS

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Angel Jail-break

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 12:1-12

TO CHEW ON: "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him." Acts 12:5

Peter was in big trouble. After King Herod killed James, he arrested Peter. For days Peter had been in a cramped, uncomfortable jail, chained and guarded by sixteen soldiers.

The night before Herod was going to put him on trial Peter was asleep in his cell. He was awakened by strange man shaking him. “Quick, get up and get dressed!” the man said. The cell was filled with light even though it was the middle of the night. Then his chains fell off.

Peter's miraculous escape from prison - Artist unknown

I must be dreaming Peter thought as he pulled on his clothes, wrapped his cloak around him, and followed the man out of the prison. It was not until he had walked a block or two and his companion disappeared that Peter realized - I’m not dreaming. This is real. I was just set free by an angel!


He went to the home of his friends. What had they been doing while he was in jail? _____________ (Acts 12:5)

What do you do when things are desperate?
- Call an ambulance or the police?
- Call a doctor?
- Call a lawyer?
- Start a petition?
- Start an email campaign?
- Pray?

When things are at their worst, when there’s no way out, when a bad ending is certain we can pray, just like the church prayed for Peter. The God who got Peter out of prison 2000 years ago is still our God today!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please remind me to invite You into all my desperate situations. Amen.

MORE: Angels
What do you think:
- Do angels exist?
- Have you ever seen one?
- Could you tell if someone was an angel and not just an ordinary person? How?

ANSWERS 

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Turnaround

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 9:1-9

TO CHEW ON: “'Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked." Acts 9:5

Saul thought he was pleasing God by killing the followers of Jesus.

"Saul was breathing murderous threats" - Artist unknown

God saw that Saul was sincere. But he was also wrong. In one amazing moment God turned Saul around.

He was traveling on the road near the town of Damascus, on his way to kill more Christians, when a light blinded him. He fell to the ground. A voice asked, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Saul answered: “Who are you, Lord?”

Saul sees a bright light - Artist unknown

What do you think he meant by “Lord”?
____ A nobleman with a title.
____ The owner of some land (landlord).
____ God – the ruler and master of everything.

(I’m sure you chose the last one.)

Then the voice that spoke to him said He was Jesus. What a shock to Saul! In that moment, he realized that the person he’d hated was God. In that moment he went from hating Jesus and the people who followed Him, to following Jesus himself. Saul called Jesus “Lord” and he meant God, the ruler and master of everything. He gave Jesus the right to be the boss of his life. At that moment Saul’s life was turned around.

Meeting Jesus still turns lives around. We may feel we’re the boss of our lives but after we meet Jesus:
- we want to do what He tells us.
- we go from wanting to please others to wanting to please God the most.
- we go from being selfish with our things to giving them to God to use any way He wants.

Have you met Jesus? Has He turned your life around?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please be the Lord - the boss, ruler and master - of my life too. Amen.

MORE: Picture It
Draw a comic strip of Saul’s turnaround story. (Click on the box below, then print the page that opens.)




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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

From Bad to Good

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 8:1-8

TO CHEW ON: "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Acts 8:4.

Have you ever had to move because it wasn’t safe for you to live in your old home any more? That’s what happened to the followers of Jesus after Stephen’s death. Everyone, from people in government to neighbors, was out to get them. They were threatened, arrested, and many more were killed.

So they moved to other places in Judea and Samaria. Now there were no more big gatherings in the Jerusalem temple court. The large praise meetings stopped. There was hardly anyone left to go to the prayer gatherings and potluck dinners. Because of persecution the Christians left Jerusalem and were scattered all around.

"Conversions of the Samaritans" - Matthias Scheits, 1972

But they didn’t stop talking about Jesus. Everywhere they went, they spread the good news. Jesus had died for sins. People could be friends with God again. Everyone could live in Holy Spirit power. People could look forward to heaven when they died.

"Philip at Samaria" - Artist unknown, 1573

Many heard, and accepted Jesus. In a Samaritan city where Philip went , he explained about God’s power and people were healed. It brought joy to the whole city. Because of a bad thing – persecution – a good thing happened – more people heard about Jesus and accepted Him.

God can still bring good things out of bad. Your sickness and time spent in hospital may mean you get to tell your roommate about Jesus.

A flood in your city might help you meet people in a shelter who become lifelong friends.

Ask God to help you see even bad things as good gifts from Him.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, You can bring good things out of bad. Help me to trust You for this in my life. Amen.

MORE: Your Bad to Good
- Name some bad things that have happened to you.

- What good things came out of the bad?

- What bad things are you facing now?

- Will you trust God to bring something good out of those bad things?

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The First Martyr

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Acts 7:51-60

TO CHEW ON: "Then he fell on his knees and cried out, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' When he had said this, he fell asleep." Acts 7:60

Stephen was known for his wisdom. He was full of the Holy Spirit. He did many signs and miracles. But even such a special man had enemies.

Some important people argued with him about Jesus, and lost the argument. They decided to silence him. So they got people to tell lies about him. Then they arrested him and put him on trial. Stephen used his trial to talk about Jesus even more.

"Stephen before he is martyred" - Artist unknown

When he told the High Priest (his judge) and the crowd, they were enemies of God because they had killed Jesus, it was too much for them. In anger they dragged him outside the city and threw stones at him.

"The stoning of Stephen" - Artist unknown

But even then Stephen honored Jesus. He asked God to forgive the people who were hurting him. Then he died.

"The stoning of Stephen" by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1851-60

Would we have had such forgiving hearts?

PRAYER: Dear God, please give me the courage to stay true to You and love my enemies no matter what happens. Amen.


MORE: Modern Martyrs
Have you ever been teased for being a Christian? Have you been threatened or hurt? That is persecution.

What is the difference between being persecuted and being a martyr?

- Check out Kids of Courage for some modern-day stories of people who are being persecuted.


- Pick out one country where Christians are being persecuted and martyred. Begin to pray for that country and the Christians who live there.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Silent

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Mark 15:1-5; 15-20

TO CHEW ON: "So again Pilate asked him, 'Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.' 

But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed." Mark 15:4,5

Judas led the soldiers into Gethsemane. He walked up to Jesus, called out “Teacher!” and gave Jesus a kiss. It looked like a meeting of good friends. But it wasn’t. This kiss was not a love kiss but a kiss of betrayal. It was Judas’s signal telling the soldiers which person to arrest.

"Judas the Betrayer" - Artist unknown

The soldiers arrested Jesus and took Him away for a trial at the High Priest’s house. There false witnesses lied about what Jesus had said and done. The Jewish leaders pronounced Him guilty of blasphemy - a crime that deserved the death penalty under Jewish law.

"Jesus before Caiaphas" - Artist unknown

Early next morning they brought Him to Pilate, the Roman Governor. They wanted Pilate to condemn Jesus to death by crucifixion - hanging on a cross.

"Jesus before Pilate" - Artist unknown

Find five things Pilate’s soldiers did to Jesus before He was led away to be crucified? (Mark 15:15-20)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.



When these things were happening to Him, Jesus did not fight back. Why do you think Jesus reacted the way He did?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for Your example of meekness in suffering. Help me learn to trust God in suffering like You did. Amen.


MORE: Modern Trials
Our courts work differently than the courts in Jesus’ time. Can you match these modern-day trial words with their meanings?

1. Jury | 2. Judge | 3. Witness | 4. Accused | 

5. Verdict | 6. Evidence | 7. Testimony | 

8. Plaintiff | 9. Lawyer 

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A.  This is what the decision of a judge or jury  is called.

B.  This is a  person who knows or has seen something.

C. This person gives advice to and acts for a person in court.

D. This is a  group of people in court who decide whether the accused is guilty or innocent.

E. This person accuses someone of a crime.

F. This is what people say they saw or heard.

G. This person pronounces the verdict of guilt or innocence.

H. This person is accused of a crime.

I. This may prove or disprove that a thing happened.

- Do you think Jesus’s trial would have been different in our courts? How?

ANSWERS


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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Defiant Daniel

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Daniel 6:12-23

TO CHEW ON: “ 'My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.' ” Daniel 6:22

“Bring them in!” commanded king Darius to his servant.

The Babylon rulers smirked as they entered and bowed before the king. “We’ve found someone who broke your new law,” they said. “We caught Daniel praying to his God.”


Darius was shocked. Not Daniel! He was his favorite servant. And then he understood. The other rulers were jealous of Daniel. They wanted him gone. They knew that he prayed to his God three times a day. So that was why they had come to the king and suggested he pass the new law. It said that for thirty days it was illegal to pray to anyone but the king. Punishment for disobeying was death by hungry lions.

All day King Darius tried to get Daniel freed. But he couldn’t. “May the God whom you serve rescue you,” he said to Daniel as servants tossed him into the lions' den.




That night King Darius didn’t feel like eating, or listening to music, or watching plays, or laughing at jesters. He couldn’t even sleep. At first light he jumped out of bed and ran to the lions' den. “Daniel,” he called, “did your God rescue you?”


How overjoyed he was when he heard Daniel’s voice, “O King, live forever. My God did save me. He sent his angel and he shut the lions’ mouths.”

King Darius commanded his servants to take Daniel out of the den right away. Then he rounded up the men who had plotted against Daniel and had them and their families thrown to the lions. After that he passed a new law: “Everyone in the kingdom must fear and reverence Daniel’s God.”

How do you think Daniel felt when he discovered that praying to God had suddenly become a crime? Do you think he was ever tempted to stop praying openly as he always did?

We too may someday find ourselves in situations where obeying God is against the law of the land where we live. What will we do then? Will we compromise our beliefs to save our reputations or even our lives? Or will we risk disobeying our country’s law to honor God and trust Him to rescue us, like Daniel did?

PRAYER: Dear God, please help me to know when obeying You is more important than obeying the law of the land. Help me to be brave and obey You then. Amen

MORE: Civil disobedience
The Bible makes it clear that we are to obey the laws of the land in which we live. However, there are times when obeying those laws make it impossible for us to obey God. Breaking the law at those times is sometimes called ‘civil disobedience.’

In the New Testament when Peter and John were commanded to stop talking about Jesus, for example, they refused. Peter said: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29)

In many countries it is against the law to be a Christian. It is also against the law to tell others about Jesus, meet for worship or have a Bible. The penalty may be prison or death.

- Do you have any laws like this in the place where you live?

- Do you obey them? Why or why not?

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Cistern Rescue

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Jeremiah 38:7-13

TO CHEW ON: “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city.” Jeremiah 38:9


As he sank ever deeper in the filthy mud, Jeremiah wondered, is this it? Will I die here? He had done and said what God had told him to. But his message was so unpopular, King Zedekiah’s officials had put him in prison and then thrown him into this wet cistern.

But that wasn’t the end for Jeremiah. Ebed-Melech, an official in the palace, heard what had happened. He knew that it was not fair. He went to the king about it.

“These men have been most wicked in the way they treated Jeremiah,” he said. “They’ve put him in a cistern and he’ll starve to death.”

“Take thirty men and get him out,” King Zedekiah commanded.

What was that sound, Jeremiah wondered, as he shivered in the cold and dark. Was someone calling his name. “Jeremiah,” - there it was again. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes.”

“We’re going to get you out of here. We’ve got ropes. Put the rags under your arms to keep you from getting cut.”

Illustration by Annie Vallotton from the Good News Bible
© American Bible Society 1976, 1992, used with permission.



Jeremiah was pulled out of the cistern that day. Though his situation looked hopeless, God reminded Ebed-Melech about Jeremiah. And when Ebed-Melech talked to the king, about Jeremiah , he was rescued.


God still looks out for those who trust in Him. Are you or is someone you know in an impossible situation? Trust God to help you like He helped Jeremiah.


PRAYER: Dear God, please send Your help to _________ (name the person or situation). Amen.


MORE: God’s Promised Help
There are many places in the Bible where God promises to help. Below are two. Choose your favorite and memorize it. It will give you hope next time you’re in a deep dark cistern of your own.

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

Unwelcome News

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Jeremiah 38:1-6


TO CHEW ON: "This is what the Lord says: ‘Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes out to the Babylonians will live. They will escape with their lives: they will live.’" Jeremiah 38: 2

None of us likes to bring unwelcome news. Yet when God told Jeremiah to say things that were opposite of what everyone wanted to hear, he said them even though it got him into big trouble.

It was now about sixteen years after Jehoiachim had burned Jeremiah’s scroll. Jehoiakim had died. Babylon was getting stronger every day. Its king Nebuchadnezzar had made Zedekiah king of Judah. But Nebuchadnezzar really wanted Judah for himself. When he came with his army and surrounded Jerusalem, King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah if God had any message for him.

“Yes,” Jeremiah told him, “the Babylonian army will capture the city and burn it down.”

Zedekiah and his officials didn’t like the sound of that, so they put Jeremiah in prison. But he had more to say. “Give yourselves up to the Babylonian army,” he told everyone who came to see him. “If you stay in this city, you’ll die.”

Jeremiah’s words enraged Zedekiah’s officials. “He’s discouraging our soldiers!” they told Zedekiah.

“Do whatever you want with him,” Zedekiah said.

So they took Jeremiah from his prison cell and lowered him into a cistern.


It held no water but the bottom of it was soft with cold, sticky mud. As Jeremiah sank deep into the mud he wondered, would this be the place he would die.


It’s hard to imagine having Jeremiah’s courage. But there are many people today in places around the world who are just as brave. In some countries, the good news about Jesus is the unwelcome news. People who love Jesus live for Him anyway. They read their Bibles, meet to pray, sing, and learn more about God. Then they go out and tell others about Jesus, even though it’s against the law. Sometimes that gets them put in prison, tortured, even killed.

Let’s pray that if the news about Jesus becomes unwelcome news where we live, we will be as brave as Jeremiah and the persecuted Christians alive today.

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to have the courage to follow You, no matter what the cost. Amen.


MORE: Persecuted Christians
From books or the internet, find stories of Christians who are persecuted for obeying Jesus. Choose one story.

Some web sites for you to check:


Voice of the Martyrs - Persecution.com
Open Doors Ten Top Countries for Persecution

1. On a globe or in an atlas, find the country where your story happened.
2. Using an almanac, encyclopedia or the internet, find out about that country.
3. Pray for the person and the country in your story.
- that the government leaders in that country will find Jesus.
- that God will help the persecuted person and their family to stay strong.
- that the good news of Jesus will be spread in spite of persecution.
- that the persecution will stop so that people in that country will be free to worship Jesus.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.