Role of Martyrs
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the church history module for Grade 4 is to understand the beginning of Christian literature and the establishment of our theology. The objective of this lesson is to emphasize the importance of the martyrs, their role in preserving the history of our church, and to emulate their struggle.
INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes
Have the student close their eyes and imagine something, or someone, they love very much (can be their parents, siblings, etc). How much are they willing to lose to profess their love for that person?
As a Coptic Christian, the history of their church is filled with thousands of people who were willing to lay down their life for their love for Christ. Explain how the word martyr means witness, and how we as Christians should be witnesses for Our Lord Jesus Christ, even to death.
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes
Matthew 5:1
John 16:33
Memory Verse
"You shall be my witness in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 25 Minutes
A note for the servant:
- Please note that the information below is meant to give you, the servant, a full-circle understanding of the context and story of the martyrs. Please only teach what you feel like this age group is capable of absorbing. You can choose to simplify the information as you see fit. God bless you and your service.
As previously mentioned, the Greek word for witness is a martyr. Christ sent out His apostles to the ends of the earth to be witnesses.
Take this moment to ask what it means to be witnesses. It is just martyrdom? Explain how showing their love for God the Father and His Only Begotten Son is a type of witness.
The early Church thought of martyrdom as the complete and final act of witnessing. The Coptic church has thousands of martyrs that stood up to evil emperors, because of their great love for Christ the King. As Coptic Christians, we should take pride in them. Rather than adhering to the typical western calendar, the Coptic church altered her calendar to the year of the martyrs.
Have a brief discussion about the Coptic year and how it varies from the Gregorian calendar.
Persecution was a common reality for Christians in the very early stages of the Church.
In the third century, around the year 250, Emperor Decius began persecuting the Christians, as he believed they were a threat to the Roman Empire. How did he determine who the Christians? He issued a decree where every Roman citizen and subject had to make a sacrifice to the Roman gods, and they must produce a certificate that they indeed did the sacrifice. The evil Emperor Decius made this decree because Christianity was growing, and he believed they would be a threat to his power. Christians were also used as scapegoats for any unexplained phenomena that plagued the Roman empire.
Why did the Emperors fear Christianity was a threat to their power? Christianity talked about the "King of Kings, Lord of Lords, an everlasting kingdom." A lot of powerful government officials felt threatened by the preaching of the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, the Christian God threatened the pantheon of gods the Romans believed in.
Despite efforts made to extinguish Christianity by the rounding up of ordinary citizens, the attack on the bishops and hierarchs, the martyrs strengthened the early church. As Christians see their neighbors willing to die for their love for Christ the King, it ignites their faith and encourages them to remain steadfast.
In the first few years of the fourth century, Emperor Diocletian rose to power. The majority of Christians in this era were steadfast in the faith, however, more early Christians were willing to deny Christ the True King because they were not as firm in the faith. This era was known as the Great Persecution. Some of the greatest martyrs the church venerates stem from this era. A notable martyr during this time was the 17th Patriarch of Alexandria, St. Peter, the Seal of the Martyrs.
St. Peter, the Seal of the Martyrs, was given to the church at a very young age (similar to the prophet Samuel) and grew in wisdom and knowledge. He later became the head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria (talked about in last week's lesson). As a Patriarch, he was exiled from Alexandria by Diocletian. The story of his beheading shows the true love and witness his flock had for him, and Our Lord Jesus Christ. While the Patriarch was imprisoned, the emperor ordered him to be beheaded. Upon hearing this, a large number of Christians gathered at the prison to hinder the beheading. Fearing the life of his congregation, St. Peter snuck out of prison to his beheading, fearing the life of his people. What true love The soldiers who were in charge of executing St. Peter were afraid, and only after receiving a large sum of money from their fellow soldiers, did they carry out the sentence. Shortly after his death, government-sponsored persecution slowed, and thus he received the title "the Seal of the Martyrs."
It wasn't until King Constantine that religious tolerance was granted to the Christians in the Edict of Milan.
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes
Who was the Seal of Alexandria?
- St. Peter, the 17th Patriarch of Alexandria
Why did Roman emperors persecute Christians?
- (see above)
What is the significance of the Coptic year?
- It is based on the martyrs, emphasizing how revered the church views them
Have a conversation with your students about the idea of martyrdom. Facilitate a short, constructive discussion about 1) how martyrs have shaped the Coptic church and 2) the love the martyrs had for Our Lord Jesus Christ
LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes
Expand on the discussion section. Martyrs were the ultimate witness for Christ. What can we do in our daily lives that give glory to God? Simply behaving in a Christian manner, remembering to pray even when we aren't with our Coptic friends, are all examples of how we can be a witness to Christ.
ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes
Construct a question and answer game with ideas that appeal to your students. Offer them choices of "would you rather choose A or B." Examples could include "Would you rather only eat hamburgers or pizza for the rest of your life?" You can also have the students write down some options to use. Explain how hard a decision it must have been to not deny Christ, even when tempted with riches, and ultimately their life.
SERVANT RESOURCES
The Synaxarium can be referenced for information about the martyrs.
Adventures of Professor Brainiac - Start at 5:00
PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK
There are numerous stories about martyrs. Have the parents discuss with their child a story of a martyr that has personal meaning to them. You can also explain the persecution going on in Egypt (at a very basic level). We rejoice in the words of Christ, "In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."