Blessed are those who are persecuted...

Class began with a review of the past week's beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers"...it was agreed that while it sounds simple enough, sometimes it's easier said than done.  Many of us find we are peacelovers and need to strive to work toward peacemakers.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of rightousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10) ends as our first beatitude began - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  "The journey has come full circle. The poor and the persecuted (and everyone in between) have something in common:  they are hopeless to find relief in this present world" (The Kingdom Experiment p. 111).  Jesus teaches us that the kingdom is backwards.

It is humbling to realize how others have been/are persecuted for their faith.  Given where and when we live in the world, it's not likely here... but is there another type of persecution, to take a stand against so much of the current culture?   Jesus taught us that the path is narrow and the gate is small, if we choose to follow him.  And as Abby added, we may find ourselves often standing alone.

This is our last week in the Family Challenge, and we hope to make it a good one.  The challenges this week don't necessarily all follow the book.  They include:

1.The Family Flagpole.  Pray for the persecuted; Voice of the martyrs; Lots of bullies on the playground; IDOP.  "See you at the flagpole" is an annual event where Christian students gather around the school flagpole to pray.  Create a spot in the house to gather and pray for the persecuted.  Websites to learn more: opendoorusa.org; be-a-voice.net; christianfreedom.org; and persecutedchurch.org.

2.You have 346,918 Facebook Friends (Give or take a few).  But not everyone is a social whiz.  In your youth group and church there are people you don't know well or people you haven't seen in a while. Reach out to deepen a friendship or reconnect with an inactive youth/family.  Do this as a first step in what you hope to become an ongoing friendship.

3.Open Lunch.  Make some room at your regular lunchtable and invite someone lonely to join you.  Get to know them, listen, show mercy...but be cautious about your intentions.  You should have an ongoing commitment to this and be sensitive to the other person's feelings.

4.Wear your faith on your sleeve.  Show your faith literally and figuratively by wearing/carrying a symbol of Christianity each day this week.  Show your beliefs in how you act and in what you say.  Discuss - was this easy or difficult?  How did it impact your day?  Pray for strength to live out Christianity daily.

5.Parent Pain.  We live in a world where teenagers have taken their own lives or the lives of others while being reckless, depressed or irresponsible.  Often parents are left hurting with feelings of guilt or loneliness.  Send flowers or words of encouragement to a family in your community that is hurting from a pain from the past.  It could have been last week or 10 years ago.  Don't judge, simply show love.

6.Walk a mile in their shoes (Or at least try them on for size).  In countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith they suffer as prisoners and live a hard life.  Give up a luxury and every time you miss that item, pray for others.

7.Lost get found.  Listen to the song "Lost Get Found" by Britt Nicole.  Print out the lyrics and talk about how you can "not let the fire burn out" as a family.  Talk about the easy road and the ways you tend to play it safe.  Challenge each other to take chances for God together.

Here's wishing you a meaningful week as we wrap up our study of The Kingdom Experiment.  Please comment so we can hear how it's going!