Overcoming Lesson 11 Opposition

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Today's

Challenge

Conflict is not fun, but it is sometimes inevitable for

Christians. Learn how the apostles faced opposition and how we can follow their example.

Step 1

Setting the Stage Think about a time when an action met strong opposition.

Step 2

Searching the Word Explain how the apostles overcame opposition they faced.

Step 3

Making It Real

Give examples of how Christians may follow those steps today.

Step 4

Living It Out Plan to use this pattern to overcome opposition to your Christian witness.

Acts 4:8-10, 13-15. 18-21, 23, 24, 30

8_{Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!}9_{If we are}

being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10_{then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,}

whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”

. . . .

13_{When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary}

men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14_{But since they}

could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.

15_{So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.}

. . . .

18_{Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of}

Jesus. 19_{But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you}

rather than God. 20_{For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”}

21_{After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the}

people were praising God for what had happened.

. . . .

23_{On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief}

priests and elders had said to them. 24_{When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer}

to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.”

. . . .

30_{“Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of}

your holy servant Jesus.”

Hide It in Your Heart

But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is

right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot

help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

—Acts 4:19, 20

For a presession or take-home activity, memorize this key passage using the

puzzle found on your

High School Resources

CD.

Trouble Ahead?

Last year, a survey by Ellison Research of Phoenix, Arizona, showed that 44 percent of all Protestant church leaders believe that religious freedom in the U.S. will be reduced in the next 10 years. Nearly 82 percent of those surveyed believe that the influence of non-Christian religions will increase in the next decade.

Christians of the near future may indeed face stringent opposition. The early Christians had such strong opposition against their beliefs that they were continually persecuted for firmly holding fast to them. In the book of Acts we learn they faced opposition with a message that was clear, courage that was strong, and power that was rooted in fellowship and prayer.

Continued on next page.

Overcoming

Lesson 11

Opposition

Unit Three: Sharing the Good News

Scripture: Acts 4:8-10, 13-15, 18-21, 23, 24, 30

Life Focus: God will empower us to share the good news in the face of persecution.

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CLEAR

Acts 4:8-10

Peter and John were on trial because of their claims about Jesus. Upon healing a crippled beggar at the temple gate, Peter spoke to the astonished crowd about Jesus’ death and resurrection (Acts 3:1-26). As he did in Acts 2, Peter gave evidence from the Law and the Prophets that Jesus was who He claimed to be—the Son of God, the Messiah. The hard proof that these men and their message were from God came when, through the power of the

Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ, Peter commanded the man to get up and walk (Acts 3:6-8).

Considering that the number of believers grew to about 5,000 (Acts 4:4) and that the people began praising God for the miracle (Acts 4:21), it is clear that Peter’s message had great impact. Nevertheless, the apostle’s stand precipitated their arrest and a trial before the supreme court of the Jews.

In this tense situation, Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:8), clearly told the message of Christ to his interrogators. Peter referred to the incident for which they were arrested and defended his actions with Scripture (v. 11). He even challenged his prosecutors to accept salvation in Jesus! (v. 12).

When we face opposition, we must know the basics of our faith and be able to profess them clearly. Understanding how the timeless message of Scripture applies to current situations is crucial. The ability to articulate those truths is vital.

STRONG

Acts 4:13-15, 18-21

Jesus warned His disciples that they would face persecution just as He had. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18). Even the miracles that Jesus did and that His followers would do would not always convince the opposition. As Jesus stated, “But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father” (John 15:24).

We see exactly this in this passage. The Jewish leaders noted that Peter and John were followers of Jesus (Acts 4:13). Despite the fact that the healed man stood before them, these leaders refused to believe (vv. 16, 17).

Peter’s clear defense only demonstrated that the Jewish leaders could not win a war of reason. Therefore, they resorted to raw power. They commanded the apostles to stop preaching.

Again, the power of God’s grace to change individuals not only gives each Christian evidence to support his or her claims. God’s grace also gives each Christian courage to stand strong against any threats.

PRAYER

Acts 4:23, 24, 30

Peter and John returned to the believers and reported everything that had happened, including the threats that the leaders made. Then they prayed. Opposition was met by seeking fellowship with other believers and with God himself.

The disciples remembered the opposition that Jesus faced (Acts 4:27) and asked God to consider the threats made against Peter and John. They asked for boldness (4:29). They also asked for additional miracles to further support their

preaching of the gospel (4:30). In the face of added threats against them, the early church continued to do what they had been doing all along, devoting “themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship . . . and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Christian students are keenly aware of the pressures of the world against them. Much of what they face is due to the fact that this is a sin-stained world that lives in its own filth and revels in dragging others into it. But

opposition is compounded when students accept Christ.

The church must be

seen as a place of refuge and encouragement for believers. Opposition should cause us to rely even more upon prayer and upon the encouragement we find in Christian fellowship.

As students come into contact with more varied beliefs and practices, they are going to find conflict with their own Christian beliefs and practices. They may even experience direct persecution. Adults who minister to students need to build up their lessons, their Bible school classes, their youth groups, and their churches, in general, into opportunities and places that provide the help students need to deal with that opposition. Students need examples and opportunities that will help them grow in Christ so that they can be full of the Holy Spirit as Peter was. They need examples of clearly articulated responses to attacks on their faith and opportunities to prepare themselves for their own defense. They need to know that there are people and places where they can go to be recharged and empowered to be bold in their own witnessing lifestyle.

Articulate the message clearly.

Refuse to be cowed by threats.

Encountering God’s Word

Renew strength with fellowship and prayer.

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QUICK STEP

Time 5 minutes Materials none Time 10 minutes Materials

a copy of the film Valkyrie (2008), TV, VCR or DVD player

Fighting Gravity

After all students have arrived, ask them to stand with their backs and heels against the wall. Now drop a pencil or other item in front of each student, one or two at a time. Ask students to pick up the pencil off the floor without removing their heels from the wall. The trick is that they won’t be able to do it. If they squat down, their heels come off the wall. If they try to bend over, they will fall forward. After students realize that this is impossible, have them be seated and discuss:

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How did it feel to not be able to do what you wanted to do?

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task but someone or something was opposing you.

Lead into Bible study by saying: Often when people try to spread the gospel, others oppose them. Let’s take a look at how the apostles overcame the opposition they faced as they told others about the good news of Jesus.

Opposition on the Rise

Cue the video to place where Colonel von Stauffenberg says, “You are under a sworn oath.” In this clip, Major-General Tresckow stresses the importance of reminding the world that not all of Germany is like Hitler. Stop the video after the words, “Then find a way.”

If you have a computer available, you may wish to show our classic film clip “Opposition on the Rise” from the High School Resources CD instead of the Hollywood clip.

Discuss either clip with these questions:

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oppose him so strongly?

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Describe how they handled those situations.

Lead into Bible study by saying: Many historical figures have taken

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apostles faced strong opposition. Let’s look at how they overcame such opposition as they told others about the good news of Jesus.

The Scene

For an opening activity based on a current news headline, download The Scene online. Go to http://www.encounterface2face.com/. There you’ll find a free article with discussion questions to begin this week’s lesson.

Setting the Stage

Step 1

Use one of the following activities to help your students think about a time when an action met strong opposition.

video game

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Acronyms

Divide the class into three groups. Give each group a copy of page 62 and one of the assignments found there. They will read their assigned portion of the lesson Scripture and summarize it using an acronym. An acronym is a word composed of the first letters of a descriptive phrase.

As groups work, move among them to offer assistance. Encountering God’s Word and these suggested acronyms will help you:

t"DUT$-&"3Christians List &very Argument Regularly.

t"DUT4530/(Squelch Timidity. Rely On /ever-failing God.

t"DUT13":&3Partnership Really Adds to :our &nergy and Relationships.

When everyone has finished, allow groups to share the phrases with the whole group. Comment, making sure that all main points of the text are made clearly and completely.

Move into the next section of the lesson by saying: The apostles were able to overcome opposition by staying strong in their relationship

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thousands of years ago, these steps still apply to helping Christians today. Let’s take a look at some examples.

How to Fight Back

Divide the class into groups of three to five students each. Turn to page 44 of the student books and give each group one of the research assignments found there.

Move among students to help them with their work. Refer to Encountering God’s Word to help them with their research.

Allow groups to explain the results of their research. Make sure all points are made clearly. Move into the next section of the lesson by saying: The apostles were able to overcome opposition by staying strong in their

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though they lived thousands of years ago, these steps still apply to helping Christians today. Let’s take a look at some examples. Time

20 minutes

Materials

Bibles, pens, copies of page 62

Time

20 minutes

Materials

Bibles, High School Student

QUICK STEP

Step 2

Searching the Word

Use one of the following activities to help your students explain how the apostles overcame opposition they faced.

writing

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QUICK STEP

A History of Opposition

Divide the class into small groups and turn with them to page 45 of the student book. Assign each group one or more of the case studies found there. They should read the case studies and be ready to report upon the following questions:

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God rather than human authority and opinion?

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a strength to this person?

After some time, allow groups to report. Then lead into the final step of the lesson by saying: *OUPEBZTXPSMECFMJFWFSTPGUFOGBDFPQQPTJUJPOBT

they live out their faith. How can you use the three biblical principles we studied to help you overcome opposition in your life?

Game Plan

Before class, make four copies of Sheet 7D from the resource pack. Divide your students into four groups, and assign each group one of the four scenarios listed there. Groups will now dramatize their assigned scenario, keeping in mind the principles about overcoming opposition from today’s Bible study. (You may want to write the three main points from Encountering God’s Word on the board for their reference as they work.)

While they work, walk around and help groups devise game plans that the Christians they are portraying might make in these situations. After some time to work, allow groups to share their dramas with the rest of the class. Congratulate them on their application of today’s Bible study.

Lead into the final step of the lesson by saying: *OUPEBZTXPSME

believers often face opposition as they live out their faith. How can you use the three biblical principles we studied to help you overcome opposition in your life?

Time

15–20 minutes

Materials

High School Student

Time

15–20 minutes

Materials

copies of High School Resources Sheet 7D

Making It Real

Step 3

Use one of the following activities to help your students give examples of how Christians may follow those steps today.

report

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Devising a Plan

Turn with your students to page 46 in the student book. Read together the three steps to devise a plan when their efforts in evangelizing face opposition. This activity will give students practical advice in order to determine what they have to do to overcome opposition when they express their faith. After you read the page, discuss some things your students have done in the past XIFOQFPQMFIBWFPQQPTFE(PETNFTTBHF%JEUIPTFUIJOHTXPSLPSOPU Brainstorm as a class some things they can do this week to spread the truth of Jesus boldly.

Close your lesson in prayer.

Distribute ENCOUNTER—The Magazine.

Litany

Turn with students to 2 Timothy 1:7. It reads: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Pray each of the following lines aloud. After each, students should prayerfully respond by reading or reciting the words of 2 Timothy 1:7:

0I(PENBOZUJNFTXFGBDFPQQPTJUJPOJOPVSMJWFTGPS:PV)FMQVT UPDMFBSMZDPNNVOJDBUF:PVSTBWJOHNFTTBHFUPPUIFST(Students recite 2 Timothy 1:7 together.)

There are those who would threaten us and try to make us follow

UIFNSBUIFSUIBO:PV,FFQVTTUSPOH(Students recite 2 Timothy 1:7 together.)

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sisters in fellowship. (Students recite 2 Timothy 1:7 together.) Dismiss the class after this prayer.

Distribute ENCOUNTER—The Magazine.

Here’s what’s in ENCOUNTER—The Magazine this week:

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High School Student

Time

5 minutes

Materials

Bibles

Step 4

Living It Out

QUICK STEP

Use one of the following activities to help your students plan to use this pattern to overcome opposition to their Christian witness.

challenge