EVEN WHEN WE SUFFER FOR OUR FAITH, GOD REMAINS WITH US.

SCRIPTURE | Daniel 6:7-24

CENTRAL TRUTH

Living for God often means we live counter-culturally. If we never encounter tension because of our faith, then we need to check to see if we’re living it out. We must ask if others can tell us apart from those who don’t confess Jesus as Lord.

KEY QUESTION

JESUS PROMISED HIS FOLLOWERS WOULD FACE OPPOSITION AND SUFFERING (JOHN 16:33). WHAT DOES IT SAY IF WE NEVER SUFFER—IF OUR ACTIONS, WORDS, OR VIEWS NEVER OFFEND AN UNGODLY CULTURE?

KEEP IN MIND

Students may wonder what to do if rules or laws contradict God’s Word. Some of them have been caught between the two and asked which way to go when a school rule goes against God’s Word. They struggle with what to do when their coaches or their parents—who may be unbelievers—place expectations on them that contradict the way God wants them to live. First, we can remind students that they aren’t alone; many believers walk a similar path. The pressure we experience from worldly authority feels overwhelming because the consequences are often immediate. The simple, yet difficult answer: God’s Word is first. Always. Even when it’s hard. Even if we’re the only one. Scripture clearly says we should obey authority because God allowed it to be put in place (Rom. 13:1-7). But when authority asks our students to do something God has forbidden or demands that they stop doing something God has commanded, we must encourage them to follow the Lord (Acts 5:27-29).

APPLICATION

ASSESS YOUR SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE: HOW IS THE WAY YOU’RE LIVING NOW PREPARING YOU EITHER TO STAND OR TO FALL WHEN YOU FACE OPPOSITION?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: What students do right now determines what they will do later. If they invest in their relationship with God now, then they’ll know Him more deeply. They form stronger faith in God in every small moment, in the habits they create, in the discipline to pray and read God’s Word each day.

FOR THE LEADER: As leaders, we must continue to cultivate habits that enable us to stand too. We can’t expect to stand in the difficult moments—in moments of pain, suffering, sickness, persecution, betrayal, loss, temptation—if we aren’t forming habits now to strengthen our faith.