Being Mistreated for Following Jesus

Your kids may not be facing jail time for what they believe like Peter did, but following in the ways of Jesus can be countercultural. Some kids may deal with social isolation, mockery or cyberbullying. Because the world can be harsh, your family is even more important as a safe place for kids to talk about Jesus and grow in their faith. Help kids build relationships with other believers and encourage boldness to stick together in following Jesus.

Here’s how we discussed this topic and how you can discuss it at home: 

Discuss: Has anyone ever treated you differently or made fun of you because you go to church or believe in Jesus?

Discuss: How would that make you feel if that happened to you?

Discuss: What do you think God has to say about that?

Sometimes people are treated differently because of where they are from, what they look like or even what they believe. This can happen to Christians too. There are lots of people in our world who don’t know Jesus. Some people may make fun of believers or treat them badly. Kids can even do this to each other. Jesus said that we shouldn’t be surprised by this. He was treated badly too. In Matthew 5:11, He said: Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. We can keep living boldly for Jesus when we remember He is always with us. This world is not our forever home. His love and grace make the hard times worth it.