God Defends His Glory

Lesson Summary

The Apostle Paul told his young disciple Timothy that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). As we saw this week in our lesson, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah are living examples of that verse. God’s people have always been persecuted for their faith in God and for obeying his commands.

We see the apostles in the book of Acts responding in a way similar to Daniel and his friends. When commanded not to preach in the name of Jesus, they refused because God’s authority and commands trump the commands of men: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). This is the same refrain, in different words, that Daniel and the other three men proclaimed.

The Apostle Peter, writing to scattered believers of the first century who were undergoing persecution, had much to say on how we are to respond to persecution.

Read and Discuss

Read the following passages and discuss the questions together.

1 Peter 1:3–9

1.     What is it that Peter says we should rejoice in (v. 6)?

2.     What is the outcome of responding in faith to the trials in our lives (vv. 6–7)?

1 Peter 2:13–25

3.     What is God’s will for us in regard to human authority?

4.     What kind of response to suffering is a “gracious thing in the sight of God” (vv. 18–20)?

5.     What example of Christ are we to follow when we suffer (vv. 21–24)?

1 Peter 3:13–17

6.     What do we get if we suffer for righteousness’ sake? Also see Matthew 5:11–12.

7.     How should we prepare ourselves for those who revile us (vv. 15–16)?

8.     Is it ever God’s will for us to suffer for doing good (v. 17)?

1 Peter 4:12–19

9.     How are we to respond when we encounter “fiery trials”?

10.  Why should we rejoice when we are reproached for the name of Christ?

11.  Have you ever suffered for being a Christian? Do you know anyone who has? What should our response be when this happens (v. 19)?