--IN THE 1920's --Dietrich Bonhoeffer ~~

---Christianity was a dominant part of German culture. For a time, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party pretended to work with religious institutions to gain their support. But eventually, as the new regime's power grew, it became clear that the intention was to repress and ultimately eliminate the church.

Pastors like Dietrich Bonhoeffer opposed efforts to put the church under the state. He called out their bigotry in his writing and preaching, led an underground seminary, and began a movement of Christians actively working against Hitler's persecution of Jews. Bonhoeffer was imprisoned and ultimately killed for his actions. But even as he suffered, he persisted in trusting and serving the Lord. He wrote from prison, "As I see it, I'm here for some purpose, and I only hope I may fulfill it ... we mustn't for a moment lose sight of the great things that we're living for." Throughout it all, he remained faithful, emphasizing that the Christian life is one of obedience to Jesus. ~~

[**Bonhoeffer's faith drove him to act in ways that went against the dominant cultural climate. And he suffered greatly for it--this German pastor was eventually hanged for his dissidence. Contemplate what he wrote while he was in prison. Perhaps you can rewrite his thoughts in your own words or read them out loud. Think of his statement as an encouragement to have faith in Jesus above all else. ~~]

**MEMORIZE=
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." --[Matthew 5:11-12 / ESV]

--IN TOUCH~