This blog was written by David North
A First Priority club volunteer recently told me that his daughter has been ostracized and bullied at school because of her Faith. She doesn’t want to attend school anymore because of the treatment she endures from classmates.
Her story is a sobering reminder that this world isn’t friendly to followers of Christ. In John 15:18-20 and 1 John 3:13, Jesus warned us about this kind of thing and said not to be surprised by it. But somehow, we still are. “Be kind to people and they will be kind to you.” Right? Wrong…way wrong. We have an Enemy in this world and he inspires this kind of inexplicable hatred we see toward those who follow Jesus.
So what comfort or helpful advice can we offer to a student who is dealing with a situation like this?
- Tell them that their identity and value comes from Jesus and NOT from others. (check out Jamie Winship’s talks on youtube to learn more about IDENTITY)
- Remind them that when they are mistreated because of their faith in Jesus there is a great reward for them in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-12)
- Encourage them to join/start a First Priority club in their school. The friendship and encouragement a student can get from meeting with like minded followers of Jesus at their school is an available grace that every student should take advantage of.
- Lastly, remind students that being mistreated and left out because of their Faith is evidence that they belong to Jesus! We are aliens and strangers in this world system. We aren’t home yet!
Will you partner with us to start more First Priority clubs in Northeast Tennessee? Haley, Austin, and I could sure use your help! We’d like to get the funding and volunteers in place now that will allow us to serve more students and get us to our goal of 50 Schools by the end of this school year. Please consider volunteering or financially partnering with us to help make it happen. May God richly bless you!
David North
NETN District Director
