SS1 Third Term Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note – Christian Attitude Towards Persecution

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WEEK 4                    

TOPIC:   CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARDS PERSECUTION

CONTENT:

1. Peter’s message to Christian under persecution, 1Pet.1: 5-9; 4: 12-19
2. Jesus message on love of enemies, Matt. 5: 38-48.
3. The persecution of Christ.
4. Suffering and the Christian faith.
5. Christian attitude to persecution.

MEANING OF PERSECUTION

Persecution is a cruel punishment meted out to a person or group of persons on the account of their belief. It also refers to the harassment, trouble, embarrassment and affliction a Christian suffers because of his religious beliefs. The history of Christianity is the history of persecution. Christ was persecuted, his disciples were persecuted, and today, Christians often suffer persecution.

FORMS OF PERSECUTION

Persecution comes in form of harassment, oppression, incarceration, physical assault, denial of rights, rejection, ostracism, discrimination, victimization, looting, vandalization of infrastructure for worship or even death because of one’s commitment and loyalty to whoever or whatever one believes in.

SUB-TOPIC 1:  PETER’S MESSAGE TO CHRISTIAN UNDER PERSECUTION (1PET.1: 5-9; 4: 12-19)

Peter drew the attention of the Churches to their chances of encountering trials and persecution. Base on Peter’s teaching, Christians should see persecution as an inevitable element of Christianity. As Christ suffered and was crucified on the cross, but was later exalted, Christians should know that salvation is not obtained without sacrifice. Persecution is part of the cross which Christ said that His followers should be ready to bear, persecution is the Christians’ share of Christ’s suffering, and a ground for testing the genuineness of their faith.

Peter, however, warned them against suffering for criminal offences such as murder, theft, wrongdoing, and mischief-making. He emphasized that if they suffered as Christians, they should not be ashamed but glorify God. He then advised Christians to rejoice on account of this.

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