Lesson 59

Sooner or later, all Christians will face opposition, even persecution. Should that alarm us?

The Bible clearly says: “All those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Jesus was persecuted because he was no part of Satan’s world. We are also no part of the world, so we are not surprised when we are persecuted by this world’s governments and religious organizations.— John 15:18, 19.

We need to strengthen our trust in Jehovah now. Make time every day to pray to him and to read a portion of his Word. Attend congregation meetings regularly. These activities will give you the strength you need to face any persecution courageously, even if it comes from family members. The apostle Paul, who was often persecuted, wrote: “Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid.” — Hebrews 13:6.

We can also build our courage by preaching regularly. Preaching teaches us to trust in Jehovah and overcome any fear of man. (Proverbs 29:25)

If you develop the courage to preach now, you will be well-prepared to keep preaching even if the government restricts our work.— 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

Of course, we do not enjoy being persecuted, but when we endure persecution successfully, our faith becomes stronger. We draw closer to Jehovah because we experience his help when we feel we can no longer go on.

Read James 1.2-4: Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith produces endurance. But let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything.

It hurts Jehovah to see us suffer, but it pleases him to see us endure. The Bible says: “If you endure suffering because of doing good, this is an agreeable thing to God.” (1 Peter 2:20)

The reward Jehovah will give to all who endure faithfully is eternal life in a world free from opposition to true worship.— Matthew 24:13.

Review why it is possible and rewarding to stick loyally to Jehovah despite persecution.

Jesus realistically acknowledged that our family may not support our decision to worship Jehovah.

Read Matthew 10.34-36: Do not think I came to bring peace to the earth; I came to bring, not peace, but a sword. For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Indeed, a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.

Discuss this question:

What can happen when a family member decides to serve Jehovah?

To see an example of this, play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.

What would you do if a relative or a friend tried to discourage you from serving Jehovah?

Read Psalm 27.10: Even if my own father and mother abandon me, Jehovah himself will take me in.

Read Mark 10.29, 30: Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, no one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who will not get 100 times more now in this period of time—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the coming system of things, everlasting life.

After reading each scripture, discuss this question:

How may this promise help you if you face opposition from family or friends?

It takes courage to serve Jehovah when others try to prevent us from doing so. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.

What about the examples in this video strengthens you?

Read Acts 5.27-29: So they brought them and stood them before the Sanhedrin. Then the high priest questioned them and said: “We strictly ordered you not to keep teaching on the basis of this name, and yet look! you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.” In answer Peter and the other apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.

Read Hebrews 10.24, 25: And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near.

After reading each scripture, discuss this question:

Why is it so important to continue worshipping Jehovah even if our preaching work or meetings are restricted?

Jehovah’s Witnesses of varying ages and backgrounds have loyally continued to serve Jehovah even when they were persecuted. To see what helped them, play the VIDEO. Then discuss the question that follows.

In the video, what helped these Witnesses to endure?

Read Romans 8.35: Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword?

Read Romans 8.37-39: On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Read Philippians 4.13: For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.

After reading each scripture, discuss this question:

How does this scripture assure you that you can endure any trial?

Read Matthew 5.10-12: “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.

Discuss this question:

Why can you be happy in spite of persecution?

What scriptures might give them the confidence they need?

Jehovah treasures our efforts to serve him despite persecution. With his help, we can successfully endure!

Why should Christians expect persecution?

What can you do now to be ready when persecution comes?

What can help you to feel confident that you can serve Jehovah despite any trial?

Lesson completed on:

Ask a fellow Christian: “Has anyone ever tried to stop you from serving Jehovah? How did you handle it?”

Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.

From lesson 59, memorize Proverbs 29:25: Trembling at men is a snare, But the one trusting in Jehovah will be protected.

1. Watch a young brother explain how Jehovah helped him endure when he was imprisoned because of his neutrality.

Enduring Despite Persecution (2:34) Open explore 1 in new page

2. Consider what helped one couple to serve Jehovah faithfully for many years despite opposition.

Serving Jehovah During Times of Change (7:11) Open explore 2 in new page

3. Learn how to face persecution courageously.

“Prepare Now for Persecution” (The Watchtower, July 2019) Open explore 3 in new page

4. How should we view family opposition, and how can we successfully deal with the challenges it brings?

“The Truth Brings, ‘Not Peace, But a Sword’” (The Watchtower, October 2017) Open explore 4 in new page