Stand Up For What Is Right (Even If You Stand Alone)

Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.  1 Corinthians 16:13 (RSV)

Props: projection system and slides of the following math problems OR overhead projector, blank transparency, transparency marker OR posterboard and marker

Write out the following math problems before the lesson.  Write the corresponding answers as you come to each problem during the lesson.  

            I want you to imagine with me that you are in math class one day and your teacher gives the terrible news: there will be a pop quiz.  How many of you like pop quizzes?  (Allow for response).  Well, the good news is that with this pop quiz, you will be able to work with your friends.  But each of you will be graded separately.  So, you join a group of 3 others and begin the quiz.  (Write each problem on the transparency as you call it out).  First problem: 10 + 15.  “Hmm…10+15.  That’s easy,” you think.  “25.”  But you are shocked to see that all of your friends write down 30.  What do you do?  (Allow for response).  Of course you wouldn’t change your answer.  You are sure it is 25.  Okay.  Next question:  5+20.  Just as you begin to write down 25 again, all your friends write down 520.  You try to tell them it’s 25.  You even work out the problem on paper for them.  But they look at you like you have lost your mind.  What do you do?  (Allow for response).  Hopefully, you stay with what you know is true.  Just two more questions.  The teacher writes down 12+13.  You write 25.  This time your friends start telling you that you’re going to fail the quiz.  The next question comes: 11+14.  Your write your final answer: 25.  Now your friends are upset.  You have 25 written for each answer and they don’t have it written once.  They tell you to go back to kindergarten.  Would you change any of your answers?  I hope not!  If you keep your answers, you’ll make a 100% A+.  And your friends, of course, would fail.  Knowing the truth will give you the courage to stick with what you believe.  If you really believe something, you can’t be talked out of it.  But if you’re not sure, you may go along with what everyone else is saying. 

            People will try to talk you out of believing in God for the rest of your life.  They will try to tell you that it’s not important to live by the God’s rules or by the Bible.  You have to make up your mind that you believe in the Bible and that what God says is true.  Believing—really believing—that will give you the courage to stand up for what you know to be true, no matter how many people or who may try to tell you differently.  Courage is facing trouble without running away.  Have the courage to face people who don’t believe in God without changing what you believe.