During the course, I realised how much I needed to take this course. My level of understanding and awareness about religious persecution considerably increased, and my whole perspective changed. I decided to act with more vigilance from now on, and with the help of God do everything that I can to help persecuted believers. I am now determined to continue my Christian ministry thoughtfully and not to put others at risk through carelessness.

I never had an interest in hearing about persecution, because I was afraid of confronting the reality of it. But as the lessons went on I became more interested to hear the contents. I also decided to serve God with wisdom and take things more seriously and change my ways. By the end of the course, I realised how crucial it was for me to take this course.

These lessons turned my world upside down! Fear of persecution left me and I felt more encouraged in the Lord. Many of my questions were answered. The teaching was so vivid and clear that during some lessons I could even imagine myself in the interrogation room.

Throughout the lessons, the fear of persecution in me was diminished and I found myself more prepared to confront persecution. I also want to reevaluate my past activities and, by thoughtful practice, avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. I also submit my thoughts and will to the Lord. I had already felt a lot of fear in the face of the persecution (and particularly being arrested for my faith). Many times in prayer I had asked God not to put me in such a situation because I felt that I, like Peter, would deny him. But these lessons changed my feelings.

Previously, I thought that if I was arrested, I could not say anything in my defence and there was no law to defend me. I now have learned that, in addition to the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit, I have to raise my awareness of the legal rights I have to defend myself and more importantly others. The more we delved in the practical stages of the lessons, I felt more emboldened as I realised there are ways to help us and those around us suffer less during the time of persecution.

I always thought that only Christians in Iran were severely oppressed, but with the statistics given in this lesson about other countries, my thinking changed a lot.

The proper response to persecution is the result of better awareness of biblical teaching and legal rights. For me, one of the beauties of these lessons was the fact that practical subjects were based on clear biblical teaching and examples from the Word of God.

I previously thought about what my response should be if I was arrested for my faith. Sometimes I asked this question in church, but I was always deterred by others from asking so. “God forbid!” they would say. “Do not even mention it!" But today I face the fact that persecution in the lives of Christians is an inevitable fact. I decided to follow the security measures from now on, especially in my digital communications and telephone conversations. Also, if I am arrested, I will keep my calm with the power of God and the preparation I have already done.

During the course I had a lot of stress, but now that I assess my feelings, I feel I have found more courage to deal with persecution. I think this was the best thing I needed to hear. I decided to share this with my Christian friends when I return to Iran. I also take security issues more seriously. I plan to have a new strategy to face up to the conditions of arrest and detention, and knowing these lessons will help me to get the right response.

I am sure communicating the lessons learned in this course with, family and friends, will definitely help reduce our anxieties and equip us for proper responses during times of persecution. I now also better understand the situation of persecuted Christians, and have decided to do whatever I can to the help them and their families.