Risk

St. Paul in Prison, 1627. Rembrandt van Rijn, Dutch. Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart.

1. What do you notice in this work of art?


2. All of us take risks in life. Some take risks with money, recreation, education, relationships, or career paths. Tell of a time when you took a risk and lost or gained something important to you.


3. Choose a or b below:

a. Fear often keeps us from taking risks. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” What do you think Roosevelt meant? Tell about someone you know who takes risks.

b. In Jesus’s day, following him could mean losing your family, income, or even your life. Jesus said, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:38-39). Do you think the risk of following Jesus is worth the reward? Why or why not?

4. In the painting, we see St. Paul, one of the writers of the Bible, in prison as a result of telling others about Jesus Christ. Draw a chart that shows a risk you are considering and the possible gains or losses.