Persecuted

A Lesson by Jesus with Profound Truths from the Gospel of John

(Excerpt from Profound Truths from the Gospel of John, 2021)

The Passages

If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me (John 15:20-21).

Profound Truth: Since Jesus is persecuted, Jesus followers are persecuted.

Profound Truth: If people obey Jesus’ teaching, they will obey the teachings of Jesus followers.

Profound Truth: Jesus followers will be persecuted because of Jesus’ name.

Profound Truth: Persecution will happen because the persecutors don’t know the Father. 

All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me (John 16:1-3).

Profound Truth: Jesus warned of the persecution so His followers wouldn’t fall away.

Profound Truth: Jesus followers would be put out of the synagogues.

Profound Truth: WhenJesus followers are killed by persecutors, they will think they are serving God.

Profound Truth: They persecute because they do not know Jesus or the Father.

I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things (John 16:4-6).

Profound Truth: Jesus warned His followers because He was going back to the Father.

Profound Truth: Jesus followers are sad to hear about the persecution.

Discussion Questions

1. Why are Jesus followers persecuted?
2. What reason did Jesus give for warning His followers about persecution?
3. What reason did Jesus give for warning His followers at that time?
4. Can you relate some stories about believers being persecuted? Explain.
5. Aware of any groups that are helping persecuted believers? Name them.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™