Training Perseverance Through Persecution

Persecution is a reality that most Christians around the world face on a daily basis.  It was part of the experience of the first followers of Jesus.  He regularly warned his followers that they would face persecution.

The apostles, save John, all died martyrs death and the first century expansion of Jesus' kingdom vision was built in the cauldron of persecution.  The New Testament is a collection of stories, letters and revelations written by persecuted men to persecuted fellowships of believers spread across the Roman world. 

And so how do I as a believer who has been raised in the safety of the North American Christian experience - an experience that is the anomaly of church history when it comes to persecution - help prepare my brothers and sisters in Christ (and myself) for the realities of persecution.  

Open Doors CEO David Curray recently said that American church leaders are not teaching a theology of persecution.  If this is the case, then from what place can we teach and train our brothers and sisters coming to faith out of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or Atheistic  Communism to persevere through persecution.

The reality is that we can’t.

But Jesus can and he has given us His Spirit and the word of God.  I was trained with a simple study of God’s word over ten years ago and I recently came across that study and so want to share it today.  I hope it will be helpful.

​Look through the study below, but I have also put it into the form of a bookmark so you can print it off, cut it up and give several to those you are training.  It was created to be used by sitting down with your friend and discovering in God’s word how we can persevere through persecution. 

Help your brother or sister apply these truths to their own life and then encourage them to train others!

Download the Perseverance Study Bookmark

Persevere Through Persecution Study

The Seat of Persecution: It’s expected that all believers will experience persecution.
(Matthew 5:10-12; 1 Peter 4:12a)

The Backrest of Assurance: God knows me and I know God.
(1 Peter 3:12; John 10:27-29; Romans 8: 38-39)

Four Strong Legs

God’s Word: God’s word is our final authority.
(2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; Psalms 119:105)

Prayer: There is power in prayer - our prayers and the prayers of the saints.
(Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:14-15; Romans 8:27-28; Acts 12:1-16)

Evangelism: We share our faith regardless of persecution.
(Acts 14:19-22; Acts 16:25-33; Acts 18:1-11)

Worship: Worship sustains us in persecution; use songs, memory verses and prayer.
(Acts 16:19-25; Psalms 115:2-3)​

Download the Perseverance Study Bookmark