Lesson video

Hi, my name's Ms. Minton.

And welcome to this Living the Christian Life lesson on the Church in the Worldwide Community.

Now, by the end of this lesson, you'll be able to explain the role of the worldwide church with reference to persecution, reconciliation, and charity.

Now, lots of our learning today will probably be new to you, but please don't worry because I'm here to guide you through each step of our lesson.

And I'm confident that by the end, you'll achieve this outcome.

So let's get started by taking a look at our keywords.

We have charity, persecution, and reconciliation.

Now, charity refers to an organisation that's set up to provide help and raise money for those in need.

Persecution refers to hostility and ill treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs.

And reconciliation refers to making up and rebuilding relationships between two groups or sides after a disagreement.

Now our lesson today will have three parts.

We'll start by looking at persecution, we'll then move on to look at reconciliation, and then finally we'll be taking a look at charity.

So let's get started and take a look at persecution.

Now, to get started, I would like us to consider what do Christians believe about Jesus.

So pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me, or have a think to yourself.

Off you go.

So as part of your thinking time or your discussion, you may have identified beliefs such as Jesus being the Son of God and the incarnation of God, so God in human form.

You may have also identified the belief that Jesus died on the cross, that Jesus' death brings the possibility of eternal life, which is known as salvation, or you may have discussed beliefs about Jesus resurrecting, so coming back to life three days after his crucifixion.

Now at the time that Jesus lived, his teachings and the beliefs that are associated with them were controversial.

They weren't very popular.

And this is because Jesus challenged religious leaders, he stated that he was the Son of God, he broke social and religious rules, and he was also seen as a threat to the people in power.

Now, this controversy led to Jesus being arrested, sentenced to death, and crucified.

Now, following Jesus' death, many of the early Christians also faced hostility and ill treatment because of their beliefs.

And this is known as persecution.

Now, the early Christians were persecuted for refusing to worship the emperor and the Roman gods.

And many of the early Christians were even killed for their beliefs.

Now, St.

Peter and St.

Paul are two examples of early Christians who were killed because of their beliefs.

And when a person is killed because of the beliefs that they hold, this is called being a martyr.

So St.

Peter and St.

Paul are known as martyrs.

St.

Peter and St.

Paul were both highly influential in spreading early Christianity, but both of them were sentenced to death because of their beliefs by the Roman emperor Nero.

So let's check your understanding so far.

Which key word refers to ill treatment and hostility towards somebody because of their beliefs? A, prejudice, b, prosecution, c, persecution, or d, penance? Fantastic.

The correct answer is persecution.

So persecution is the keyword that refers to ill treatment and hostility towards someone because of the beliefs that they have.

Now, unfortunately, persecution against Christians still exists in some parts of the world today.

And in some countries, particularly where Christianity is the minority religion, Christians are treated unjustly.

And in some cases, Christians are targeted by terrorist groups.

And these groups inflict violence upon Christians, making day-to-day life really unsafe for them.

Now, some examples of where persecution exists today against Christians includes North Korea, where Christianity is banned and Christians risk imprisonment or even death for owning a Bible.

Also, in China, Christianity is very heavily regulated.

And many churches in China have been shut down.

And the ones that still exist are monitored very closely using surveillance.

Another example is in some parts of Nigeria, where terrorist groups such as Boko Haram have targeted Christian communities.

Churches have been burned and many Christians have been forced to flee their homes because it's so unsafe for them.

So let's check your understanding.

Is this statement true or false? Christians no longer face persecution.

Well done.

That statement is false.

But why is that statement false? Well, it's because in some parts of the world, particularly where Christianity is a minority religion, Christians do still face persecution.

And examples include North Korea, China, and some parts of Nigeria.

Now, for many Christians, it's important to remain committed to their faith even when they face persecution.

James 2:2-4 says this.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Now, this passage encourages Christians to see trials and difficulties as opportunities for spiritual growth, not just as something that needs to be avoided or escaped.

And this teaching can also be applied to persecution.

Now, for many Christians, suffering also provides an opportunity to grow as a person and to grow in their faith.

In Romans 5:3-4, it says this.

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Now, I'd like you to pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me, or have a think to yourself.

How might Christians interpret this passage? Off you go.

So for many Christians, this passage suggests that suffering has a purpose.

It shapes their faith, it builds character, and it can lead them to a deeper hope in God.

Now, as well as responding to persecution with faith in God, perseverance, and hope, many Christians also aim to respond to persecution with practical action, so by doing things that support those facing persecution.

This can be done through charitable organisations that aim to support both individuals and communities who are facing persecution.

A few charities that do this are Open Doors and Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Open Doors supports persecuted Christians in over 70 countries around the world.

They work in areas that are affected by religious extremism and help Christians respond peacefully to this.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide investigates human rights abuses and lobby governments and the United Nations.

They also offer legal support and protection to victims of religious persecution.

Now, many individual Christians choose to support organisation and charities such as Open Doors and Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

And we're going to look now an example of two Christians from different denominations who support these organisations.

First up, we have Louise who is a Methodist Christian.

And she says, "I support Open Doors by donating money that is used to provide Bibles to persecuted Christians who are living undercover." Next up, we have Asher who is a Pentecostal Christian.

And he says, "I support Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

I'm signed up to receive the weekly prayer email so that I can pray for justice for those facing persecution and show solidarity." So what we can see here is two examples of Christians who support these organisations and charities in slightly different ways.

So Louise donates money that helps provide Bibles to persecuted Christians, whereas Asher shows solidarity by praying.

So now we've seen that there are a number of ways that Christians can support those facing persecution, let's imagine that I've been asked to outline three ways that Christians can respond to persecution.

My answer is that Christians can respond to persecution by showing solidarity with those persecuted by praying.

Now, what you might notice from my answer is that the question has asked me to outline three ways, but I've only outlined one.

So I would like you to outline another two ways that Christians can respond to persecution.

So pause the video and have a go.

Okay, so you may have said that Christians can respond to persecution by remaining committed to the Christian faith and by supporting organisations like Open Doors and Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

So well done if you've got one of those answers or something similar.

So it's now time for you to have a go at a task.

Izzy is explaining how Christians respond to persecution.

Izzy says, "Christians can respond to persecution by staying committed to their beliefs.

James 1:2-4 encourages Christians to see trials and difficulties as opportunities for spiritual growth, not just as something to avoid or escape.

Therefore Christians can respond to persecution with commitment to their beliefs as a way of growing in their faith." Now, I would like you to write a second paragraph explaining another way that Christians respond to persecution.

So pause the video and have a go.

Well done for writing a second paragraph explaining another way that Christians respond to persecution.

Let's take a look at what your answer might be similar to.

So you may have said that another way that Christians can respond to persecution is by praying for those who are persecuted.

This can be done as an individual or through charities like Open Doors and Christian Solidarity Worldwide, where you can sign up to a weekly prayer email to show solidarity to those persecuted by praying for them.

So well done again for writing your second paragraph explaining another way that Christians respond to persecution.

We're now moving on to the second part of our lesson, which is to look at reconciliation.

Now, I'd like you to imagine a bridge that's been broken, and it can no longer be used to walk across and reach the other side.

What's needed to repair this bridge? And what might get in the way of repairing the bridge? So pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me, or have a think to yourself.

Off you go.

So to repair the bridge, not only would you need the correct materials, but you'd also need people who were willing to carry out the repairs and work together to do so.

Problems might occur if people are not willing to help repair the bridge or they're not willing to work as part of a team to do so.

Now, reconciliation refers to mending a relationship that's been broken down.

And reconciliation can actually be compared to repairing a broken bridge.

So the broken bridge represents the broken relationship.

And like the bridge, the relationship needs to be repaired.

But the relationship can only be fixed if individuals are willing to repair the damage and work together to do so.

So let's check your understanding.

Which key term refers to repairing a broken relationship? A, reformation, b, reconciliation, c, restoration, or d, rehabilitation? Well done.

The correct answer is b, reconciliation.

Now, for most Christians, reconciliation is necessary because humans' relationship with God has been damaged due to sin.

Now, many Christians believe that throughout the Bible, God is seen to provide opportunities for reconciliation, like providing animal sacrifices, making covenants like the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, and by sending prophets with messages and warnings, and then finally in the New Testament when God sends Jesus, his one and only son.

Now, the Bible describes Jesus' death as an act of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:18 says this.

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ." Now, I'd like you to pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me, or have a think to yourself.

How might Christians interpret this passage from 2 Corinthians? Off you go.

So many Christians interpret this passage as stating that Jesus' death was a sacrifice that restored the relationship between God and humans.

So it reconciled God and humanity.

Now, this verse then goes on to say that the duty to reconcile and restore relationships has actually been passed on to Christians.

Now, for many Christians, this means that the worldwide church has a duty to promote reconciliation with God and with other people.

Now, reconciliation with God can involve a number of different things.

It can involve an individual improving their own relationship with God and also improving the relationships that they have with other Christians.

And it can also involve bringing the message of reconciliation to non-Christians through evangelism.

So let's check your understanding.

True or false? Many Christians believe that only Jesus had the duty to promote reconciliation.

Fantastic.

That statement is false.

But why is that statement false? Well, it's because many Christians believe that they too have a duty to improve their own relationships with God, relationships with others, and also bring the message of reconciliation to non-Christians through evangelism.

So it's not just Jesus who had the duty to reconcile.

So well done for identifying that that statement is false and for identifying the reason why.

So it's now time for you to have a go at a task.

Laura is explaining Christian beliefs about reconciliation.

Laura says, "Reconciliation refers to repairing a relationship that's been broken down.

One Christian belief about reconciliation is that it's necessary because humans' relationship with God has been damaged due to sin.

The Bible makes it evident that reconciliation is important because God offers reconciliation on many occasions, including through animal sacrifice and covenants." Now, I would like you to write a second paragraph explaining another Christian belief about reconciliation.

And in your paragraph, you must include a source of authority.

So pause the video and have a go.

Well done for your work on that task.

So you're asked to write a second paragraph explaining another Christian belief about reconciliation.

And you we're also asked to include a source of authority in your paragraph.

Your paragraph might be similar to this.

Another Christian belief about reconciliation is that Jesus' death repaired the damaged relationship between God and humans.

This is evident in 2 Corinthians, which states that God reconciled himself to us through Christ.

And because of this, Christians have a duty to promote reconciliation.

This shows that Christians should work to repair the relationship between themselves, God, and others.

Now, what you can see here is that I have used 2 Corinthians as my source of authority.

You may have used a different source of authority, and if you have, this is absolutely fine as long as you've been able to develop that in relation to the point that you've given.

So well done again for working on that task.

We're now moving on to the third and final part of our lesson, which is to look at charity.

Now, to start off, I'd like you to consider, what do humans need access to in order to live on a day-to-day basis? So pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me, or have a think to yourself.

Off you go.

Okay, so as part of your thinking time or your discussion, you may have considered food, water, shelter, clothing, personal hygiene products, sanitation, heat and electricity, and healthcare.

Now, something that you may find shocking to know is that it's estimated that over 10% of the world's population live in extreme poverty.

So this means that they don't have access to basic necessities, and day-to-day life is a struggle.

Now, for many Christians, it's really important to respond to poverty, and it's really important that people who are living in poverty and facing this struggle are supported.

Jesus' teachings and actions show Christians that they have a duty to help relieve poverty and help make life easier for those facing poverty.

Now, in the Bible, there are many passages where Jesus addresses wealth and poverty.

For example, in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus taught that those who serve the poor also serve God.

And we see this in Matthew 25:35, which says this.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink." Now, Jesus isn't saying that people literally gave him something to eat and something to drink.

What he's saying is that when individuals have helped people who are living in poverty or people who are in need, they have also served God.

Now, as well as this teaching from the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, the Bible also contains teachings about love and how to respond to others.

And we see this in 1 Corinthians 13, which says this.

"Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonour others, it's not self-seeking, it's not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres." Now, I'd like you to pause the video and either talk to a partner, talk to me, or have a think to yourself.

What might this passage teach Christians about helping those in need? Off you go.

So this passage teaches that love is not just a feeling, it's selfless actions and choices, and Christians should act with love towards other people.

And that extends to helping those in need.

So let's check your understanding.

Which source of authority teaches about the importance of love? A, 1 Corinthians 11, b, 1 Corinthians 12, c, 1 Corinthians 13, or d, 1 Corinthians 14? Fantastic.

The correct answer is c, 1 Corinthians 13.

Well done.

Now, one way that Christians can respond to poverty and follow the teachings and examples of Jesus is by establishing and/or supporting charities.

Now, an example of a charity that supports those living in poverty is Christian Aid.

The work that Christian Aid do is rooted in their Christian beliefs.

And Christian Aid reflects the belief that all people are made in God's image and Jesus called his followers to love God, love their neighbours, and seek justice for the oppressed.

Now, Christian Aid was founded in 1945 by British and Irish churches.

And in 2023 and '24, it funded 410 projects across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

And these projects impacted the lives of 19.

3 million people.

Christian Aid aims to eradicate extreme poverty and its causes by doing the following things: advocating for climate policies that protect vulnerable communities, challenging discrimination that's based on gender, race, and economic status, supporting economic justice through fair trade and debt relief, and by responding to emergencies.

So, for example, responding to natural disasters and also supporting development projects.

So let's check your understanding.

True or false? Christian Aid is a charity rooted in Christian beliefs that aims to eradicate extreme poverty.

Fantastic.

That statement is true.

But why is that statement true? Well, it's because the work of Christian Aid reflects the belief that humans are made in the image of God and that Jesus called people to show love to others.

Christian Aid aims to transform the lives of millions of people by eradicating extreme poverty.

So well done for identifying that that statement is true and the reason why.

It's now time for our final task.

I would like you to explain two ways that charity works to support the worldwide community.

Here's some guidance that you might find helpful.

Offer a point.

So state one way that charity works to support the worldwide community.

And then develop that point by offering an example and saying how this supports the worldwide community.

Then offer a second point giving another way that charity work supports the worldwide community.

And then again, develop that point by offering an example and saying how this supports the worldwide community.

So pause the video and have a go.

Well done for your work during that task.

So you were asked to explain two ways that charity work supports the worldwide community.

And your answer might be similar to this.

One way that charity work supports the worldwide community is by challenging discrimination and promoting love and equality.

For example, Christian Aid challenge discrimination based on gender, race, and economic status.

This supports the worldwide community because it helps tackle discrimination and improve the lives of individuals and communities facing discrimination.

Another way that charity work supports the worldwide community is by responding to emergencies.

For example, Christian Aid respond to emergencies like natural disasters.

This supports the worldwide community by providing relief to those in need during and after devastating events.

Now, there are other points and other examples that you may have used to highlight how charity work supports the worldwide community, but as long as these are accurate and you've been able to develop them, then that is absolutely fine.

So well done again for your work on that task.

We've now reached the end of our lesson.

But before we finish, let's take a look at some of the key things that we've learned today.

So we've learned that persecution refers to hostility towards and ill treatment of individuals and communities based on their beliefs, and that Christians have faced persecution since Christianity began, and Christian persecution still continues in some parts of the world today.

We've looked at reconciliation and how reconciliation is repairing a relationship after it's been broken.

And this is a core belief within Christianity because it's belief that Jesus' death reconciled God with humans, and the duty of reconciliation was passed down to Christians.

We've also looked at how Christians respond to world issues such as poverty and how this can be done through charity work, and that charities such as Christian Aid aim to show love to those living in poverty around the world and seek to eradicate extreme poverty.

So a huge well done for all of your work this lesson.

It's been wonderful learning with you today.