Context Study: Trials for the Early Christians

(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will consider the trials that the early Christians faced.
Provide a dry erase board and markers. For more information on this topic, go to http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-27/persecution-in-early-church-did-you-know.html.

Draw learners’ attention back to James 1:2, where James told believers to “count it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Ask: What kinds of trials did Christians face in the first century? Invite learners to work with a partner, using their smartphones if desired, to quickly find answers to this question. After three to four minutes, invite learners to share what they discovered. List responses on the board, making sure these are included:

The Jews were intolerant of Christians and were guilty of persecuting them or putting them to death.
- Acts 7:57 – Stephen was stoned by the Jews.
- Acts 12:2 – James (the brother of the disciple John) was put to death by King Herod.
Although the Romans accepted the gods of many of the countries they conquered, they quickly began to persecute Christians.
As the church began to grow and acquire property, they suffered at the hands of other pagan religions.

Enlist a volunteer to read the memory verse for this lesson (Jam. 1:12). Discuss: What kind of faith would it take for Christians to remain steadfast in their faith during these types of trials? How would their faithfulness bring glory to God? Why would such faithfulness be worthy of the crown of life?