For Christ also suffered once for sins,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
wethat he might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh
but made alive in the spirit,
1 Peter 3:18
This week, we continue to study suffering for righteousness' sake. Peter knows that we often only see the here and the now. We are prone to discouragement and discontentment when suffering comes our way. But instead of looking at the present, he directs our perspective to the other side of heaven and to understand that our suffering, especially suffering for righteousness' sake, is neither permanent nor in vain. Not only that but our hardship is an opportunity to show others the grace, mercy and love of Jesus. Through our words and actions, our lives point others to Christ, the one who paid the price for our sins as a substitute in our place.
Last week, we looked at the life of Corrie Ten Boom and this week, we will look at the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian who stood strongly against the Nazi regime. He worked under cover against Hitler and the Nazis and helped Jews move to Switzerland during the war. As a result of his involvement with the resistance movement, he was arrested and eventually executed.
Even when he was in prison, Bonhoeffer witnessed to others. A fellow prisoner, Payne Best, wrote this observation:
"Bonhoeffer was different, just quite calm and normal, seemingly perfectly at his ease... his soul really shone in the dark desperation of our prison. He was one of the very few men I have ever met to whom God was real and ever close to him."1
We invite your kids (Preschool to Grade 7) to join us on Sunday (11:30am or 1:00pm) to learn more from the book of 1 Peter and the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Email us for zoom info (reskids@resonancechurch.org).
ResKids lesson for May 9:
Bible Memory Verse:
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8, NLT
Bible Passages:
For more on Dietrich Bonhoeffer
1. For Older Kids: The Faithful Spy, by John Hendrix
2. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Online Exhibition
3. The Gospel Coalition blog post: Costly Grace and a Concentration Camp, by Ryan Reeves
video
1. CCGS Kids, Faith Museum - Dietrich Bonhoeffer