Young people's session

Read Bible notes on Matthew 10:24-39

Jesus knew life wasn’t always going to be easy for his followers, but he exhorted them to spread his message anyway. He didn’t sugar-coat things, either, reminding them that if the master is called offensive names, his disciples should expect even worse. Even so, he told them not to be afraid, because, although their bodies were on the line, their souls were safe.

Do you find it easy to share the message of Jesus with friends and family? What sort of opposition would you face if you did?

This week is Refugee Week and the young people may be thinking about the hardships faced by people fleeing from their homes. This may be a helpful way in to conversations about Christians who suffer for their faith.

Leaders and followers 5 mins W E 

You will need: images of famous leaders from around the world, some respected and others controversial.

• Look at the images and discuss how each leader’s message was received. Did they suffer for what they did or said?
• Talk about how the people who follow them are perceived. Are they treated better or worse than the leaders?

First impressions

You could also use the image and following questions to help introduce the theme.

Click on the image to view a larger version or use the Jump menu to go to This week's images. For artist's details, see this issue's illustrators.

Questions

• What is about to happen here?
• What aspects of the Gospel message would you want to ‘shout from the rooftops?’
• Does fear stop us from sharing our faith? What does God have to say about this?

Envelope opening 5 mins W E A

• Break up the Matthew passage into five blocks (vv: 24-25, 26-31, 32-33, 34-38 and 39) and seal in five unmarked envelopes. Give out the envelopes for some young people to read each piece separately, asking the whole group whether it is more frightening or reassuring. Then read the whole passage to the group, this time in the correct order.
• What is about to happen here?
• What aspects of the Gospel message would you want to ‘shout from the rooftops?’
• Does fear stop us from sharing our faith? What does God have to say about this?

Tell it without words 10 mins S

Communicate news that begs to be told

You will need: pre-selected Bible passages, Bibles.

• Choose as many inspirational verses from the Bible as there are young people. Randomly distribute them and ask each person to mime their verse to the group.
• As they mime, play ‘The cost’, Rend Collective Experiment on Homemade Worship by Handmade People.
• Ask: Are there some words or ideas that we just have to say aloud? What is the difference between having a message delivered by a person and reading it in a book?

Refugee Week logo 10 mins W S

How people endure periods of suffering

You will need: Refugee Week logo.

• Explain that Refugee Week celebrates the resilience and creativity of refugees and ask how the logo might reflect that. What might the different colours represent? Is the shape of the logo significant?
• Can the young people give any examples of their own creativity and resilience when they have faced hardship? What might a logo for persecuted Christians look like?

Pray for Christians globally 10 mins

Share and pray faith stories W E

You will need: internet access to visit the Operation World prayer calendar.

• Look at the prayer calendar together. Talk about the prayer needs of the country assigned for prayer today. Is telling the Christian story significantly different there? Use the information as a basis for your prayers today.

Check-in: Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues 

• Ask the young people to each write down three nouns that describe who they are. Then they should rank them in order of importance. Does ‘Christian’ appear in the list?
• Ask: What nouns might others use to describe you? Can you think of ways in which you might be able to communicate your story more effectively? Would you worry about the consequences if you did?

Go with God 24/7

Look for an opportunity this week to tell somebody the story of your faith. Remember that there are many ways you could do this –not all of them involve using words. S A

Thrive

As you finish,
give out the Thrive
resource to encourage
faith at home.