There's something really powerful going on right now in our nation, on college campuses and in healthy, bible-based, mission-driven churches. We're seeing lots of people coming to church for the first time, people coming back to church and people investigating faith and then being baptized into Jesus.

Why is this happening? One of the big reasons we've seen this significant movement of God is because the church has been under attack. It's always been under attack but over the last 5+ years we've seen a dramatic shift that's been aggressively challenging the church.

The old quote has become popular again: "Comfortable times create weak men, weak men create hard times, hard times create strong men, and strong men create good times." Hard times produce great students, great men and women, great marriages, great families and great churches. Our big word for today is persecution.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Opening Question

Where are you winning this week?
Last week we talked about habits that keep us from God's best. How did you work on that this week?

Discussion:

Scott says persecution is one of the biggest reasons churches are growing right now. Does that surprise you? Why or why not?

"Comfortable times create weak men, hard times create strong men." Where has comfort made you spiritually soft? What hard season has actually strengthened your faith?

Read Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-28. Who is hard to love or pray for right now because of how they've treated your faith? What would it look like to "do good" to them this week?

The apostles refused to recant their faith even facing death. Where are you most tempted to compromise your beliefs right now?

Scott mentions we are "playing an away game." Where do you feel the most resistance to your faith right now? (work, family, school, social media, friend groups)

Why is it important for men to be anchored, resilient, and willing to persevere in hard seasons?

"The way that you respond might open a door to a relationship with Jesus." Have you seen this happen in your life? Does this change the way you think about the way you respond to persecution?

What fear most keeps you from being bold about your faith?

"My prayer is that when I die, all of Hell will rejoice that I am out of the fight." What would it look like for you to live with that kind of faith right now?

What is one specific way you can stand for Jesus this week—at home, work, or with friends?

Wrap Up:

If this podcast has encouraged you—we'd love to hear from you.
If you're wrestling with Christianity, interested in getting baptized or need help figuring out your next step…shoot us an email at lockerroom@southland.church.
As always…if this podcast has encouraged you—share it with a friend. You never know how an episode like this can help those in your life that you care about.
Thanks for listening. Get after it! We'll catch you next time on Locker Room.

Big Words: Persecution