Opposition

OBJECTIVE

• The objective for this lesson is to demonstrate how the Apostles have responded to opposition in their ministry to provide an example of how we may also respond to opposition in our own service

INTRODUCTION - 10 Minutes

• The young boy and the butterfly serves as an excellent anecdote, teaching children the relationship between struggle and growth
• In the anecdote, the young boy cuts a butterfly from a cocoon after witnessing it struggle to break free
• Their wings did not properly develop since the boy prematurely released the butterfly from the cocoon instead of allowing the butterfly to break free on its own
• In turn, God allows us to face opposition in the ministry so that we may develop as Christians, may grow in our relationship with Him, and may trust in Him during every difficult period

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

• 22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, "Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside" 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, saying, "Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people" 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us" 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him" (Acts 5:22-32)
• 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ (Acts 5:41-42)

Memory Verse

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

• Opposition against the Lord's Ministry
  • The Pharisees opposed the Lord throughout His ministry
    • Throughout His ministry, the Pharisees sought opportunities to challenge Jesus, prove Him wrong, or convict Him of a crime
    • They challenged Him regarding fasting, paying taxes, performing miracles on the Sabbath, calling Himself God, and saying He may rebuild the temple in three days
  • Encouragement against Opposition
    • The Lord encouraged us, saying that the world hated Him first (cf. Jn. 15:18)
    • He further encourages us, saying that He has overcome the world (cf. Jn. 16:33)
    • He tells us not to fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul (cf. Mt. 10:28), and tells us that whoever confesses Him before men, him He will also confess before His Father in heaven (cf. Mt. 10:32)
  • The Lord Equipped and Prepared the Apostles to Overcome Opposition
    • When Jesus "had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease" (Mt. 10:1)
    • Afterwards, Jesus anointed the 70 and prepared them also for ministry, telling them "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves" (Lk. 10:3)
    • Although the 70 rejoiced that the demons were subject to them by His name (cf. Lk. 10:17), they were told to rejoice because their names were written in heaven (cf. Lk. 10:20)
  • Opposition by the Devil
    • St. Paul wrote that we do not war against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers (cf. Eph. 6:12)
    • The true adversary of our faith is the devil, who walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (cf. 1 Pt. 5:9)
    • The devil tempted our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Mt. 4:1-11; Lk. 4:1-13) and entered into Judas in order to deliver Him to the chief priests (cf. Lk. 22:1-6)
    • As mentioned earlier, Christ told the 70 that He has given them "the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt them" (Lk. 10:19)
• Opposition in the Ministry of St. Paul
  • Opposition in Philippi (Acts 16:16-40)
    • St. Paul was arrested and thrown in prison after he exorcised a slave girl possessed by a demon who had annoyed him during his trip in Philippi
    • Despite imprisonment, St. Paul and Silas were singing hymns to God at midnight
    • After an earthquake that loosed the chains of the prisoners, St. Paul implored the jailer not to kill himself since none of the prisoners escaped, resulting in the conversion and baptism of the jailer
  • Arrest (Acts 21:26-40)
    • St. Paul was arrested after he was falsely accused of bringing Gentiles into the temple
    • He was under arrest for two years, during which he wrote his prison epistles and continued ministering to the guards and those who visited him
    • St. Paul also used trials before the government as opportunities to preach the Gospel
  • Opposition in Heresies
    • False doctrines and personal opinion contrary to the Church's understanding of dogma contribute to the opposition against the ministry of the Church to teach the true faith
    • For example, St. Athanasius spent his entire ministry defending the Orthodox faith against the Arian Heresy, even enduring five separate exiles during his lifetimes

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

• How did the Apostles respond to various oppositions to their ministry?
  • E.G. they prayed, they feared God rather than men, they depended on the Lord for help
  • What oppositions does the Church face today and how do we respond to those challenges today?
  • How may we grow as a result of opposition?

Life Application - 5 Minutes

• We should not become hopeless when there is opposition in service, but rather take the example of the Apostles, glorifying God Who has allowed us to be partakers of this ministry
• Expect that the world will oppose you for your Orthodox faith, and remember that the world first hated Christ
• Remember that we are not warring against other people, but rather the devil wars against the Church

Parents Corner/Homework

• Talk to your children about whether there is a time where they were criticized on behalf of their Christian beliefs and take the time to pray with them and read the Bible
• Continue to encourage your children to be strong Christians, reminding them that the world will oppose them, but that they should seek to please God rather than men

LESSON ATTACHMENTS