I am enthusiastically awaiting my first night at Bible Study Fellowship. I have been so keen to be in a group Bible study again! The Bible study will spend the year looking at the book of Matthew. I have been reading through Matthew with Joshua each morning as well - it has led to lots of interesting discussions.
We looked at the Beatitudes and particularly "blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". This then led us on to talking about precious Christians around the globe who suffer for Christ. We looked at some particular articles from the Barnabus Aid magazine - just a shocking reminder of how desperately we need to come on our knees about these fellow believers. Joshua was particularly concerned for a boy of 12 or 13 in Vietnam we read about who refused to leave his church and was beaten until unconscious (by security forces). His family later came and carried him home, unconscious. The article said he is still unable to walk. I know... there are loads of these cases everywhere... some just too graphic and heart-wrenching to read to my boy.
...Yes, there are so many who are physically persecuted for His name sake!
Spare some time in prayer for them tonight!
