Video

Scars

Manga’s life changed forever after Boko Haram extremists killed his dad and left he and his brothers with life changing injuries. But instead of letting the actions of those who gave him his scars define him, Manga instead is now proud of them, seeing them as a sign of how God saved his life! Amazing. Watch his incredible and brave testimony.

If you’re a youth leader, you can download a free youth/small group session outline using Manga’s video here…

Reflect

• What stood out to you from watching this?

There was a time when Manga was putting his identity in what had happened to him – he felt the need to hide his scars. His identity was in how he looked and not wanting people to judge him for his scars.

• We can often put our identity in what we look like; what are some other things we can put our identity in? (hobbies, achievement, online presence, etc)
• What are the problems with putting our identity into what we look like, or any of the other stuff we’ve mentioned?

Manga went from feeling the need to hide his scars and what had happened to him when he went out in public, to realising his scars were a testimony of the existence of God and that God had saved him from a terrifying situation.

• How do you react when you are going through hard times? Are you someone who wants to tell people about it, or do you keep things to yourself?
• Manga went through a really difficult situation, his dad was killed and he and his brother were left with huge scars. If that happened to you, how would you feel about God?

Instead of putting his identity in his scars and how he looked, Manga decided to put his identity in God. This changed his attitude. He saw that what had happened to him was a way to show that God cared for him. Boko Haram, the Islamic extremist group had wanted to kill him, but God had saved him. His scars are a reminder that his life had been saved.

Read James 1: 2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)

• The joy described in our Bible passage may seem a bit foolish, but to James it is the foundation of life. Why do you think that is?

Joy leads us back to God; it puts our identity in Jesus rather that our suffering. Manga says in the video that despite his suffering he counts it all joy. He recognises that in his suffering God has been growing perseverance in him, he is able to see that what has happened to him is something to celebrate and not hide.

Pray

Father God, thank You for sending your son Jesus to die for us so that we can be close to You. Thank You that You hear my  prayers and know my heart desires and troubles. Help me to put my identity in You and not other things. Be with me Lord as I try and live a life worthy of You and be with people like Manga as they choose to live their lives as a testimony to You. Amen.

Three things you can do now:

1. Learn more and pray: Get our free glow-in-the-dark World Watch List Map and find out more about the places where faith costs the most. Get your map here…
2. Pray regularly: Every Monday night at 7pm we’ll be praying one prayer for one minute for the one in seven Christians around the world who face persecution. Set an alarm and tune in…
3. Choose to Lose: Raise money by getting sponsored to lose something you love for a short time. Sign up and we’ll send you a fundraising pack…