Safely Home

---

Freedom in Christ in the midst of persecution.

 

"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.... If they persecuted Me they will persecute you... for they do not know the One who sent Me." John 15:19-21

 

1. What does God tell us about persecution in John 15:19-21?

 

2. What hopeful reassurance do you find in this verse?

 

3. Where did you see illustrations of this blend of warning and hope in Safely Home?

 

4. How did these illustrations encourage you personally?

 

"Followers of Yesu [Jesus] are traitors. You make me sick." Scarbrow's eyes looked like the points of two ice picks. He reminded Quan of Tai Hong, the deputy chief of police, also powerfully built and cold-eyed, with a  passion for persecuting Christians....

       "His [Quan's] father had taught Quan to withdraw inside in such confrontations, where men where free. There he could silently resist their accusations, reason against the reeducation.

      "As a fourteen-year-old, Quan had been taken to his father's jail by a communist worker who made him read a plea -- supposedly from his family but written by the communist -- to confess his crimes."  24

 

"Quan, tell me what they did to you."

        "It is not important. ... The brothers wish not pity but prayer. And Bibles, that the thirsty may be able to drink."

        "You need more than prayer and Bibles."

        "I am not so sure... To say yes to Yesu is to say yes to suffering. Besides, a man must climb mountains to see lowlands...." 284 +

         "I'll get your freedom."

        "Someone else has already done that...."

        "I'm talking about real freedom."

        "Yesu said, 'You shall know the truth, that the truth will set you free.' Shengjing [the Bible] says, 'If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' That's real freedom. One man stands inside prison and is free. Another man stands outside prison and remains in bondage. Is this not true, Ben Fielding?"  284-285+

"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

5. In what ways does John 16:33 encourage you?