Day 5: Guilds

Guilds functioned like trade unions, offering support through jobs and connections. However, their celebrations often involved honoring false gods. Early Christians faced a tough choice: blend in with society or stay true to Jesus, which could mean exclusion or losing their work. Today, following Jesus still takes courage—sometimes it means standing apart from culture when it challenges our faith.

Students will learn that guilds were trade groups in the Roman Empire, and their celebrations sometimes involved worshiping other gods. They will see that early Christians had difficult decisions—joining guild feasts meant compromising their beliefs, but refusing could lead to social and economic struggles. This helps students understand that being a disciple of Jesus involves making tough choices and staying strong in faith, even when it costs something.