Understanding Others

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Understanding Others"

Mariah Dalton
5 years ago
Views:

1 Understanding Others In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. - Ephesians 6:16 A brief definition of a born-again Christian: One who has made a personal commitment to Jesus and seeks to live under His Lordship, believing that one day he/she will spend eternity with God because of Jesus redemptive work on the cross and His resurrection. Unfortunately, according to a Barna Group survey, born-again Christians don t often show a significant attitudinal or behavioral transformation from unbelievers. In fact, when asked about their behavior in the last month, bornagain believers were just as likely as the general public to view pornography on the web, gamble, steal, consult a psychic, fight, be abusive, get drunk, use illegal drugs, lie or take revenge on others. Statistics show that the divorce rate is 50% for believers and non-believers alike. The same could be said for involvement in sex outside of marriage (affairs, premarital sex, or cohabitation). That ought to get our attention! But does it? These statistics are serious. First, they reveal that many professing Christians don t understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Following Jesus is not about rules and regulations; it s about a relationship that overflows into a transformed life because the Holy Spirit is at work in us. Many men and women have prayed the prayer to convert, but they aren t truly walking in a relationship with God; they aren t disciples of Jesus. According to Matthew 7:21-23, will Jesus say to us, I never knew you? Secondly, the way we live does get an unbeliever s attention! Those seeking truth see how professing Christians live and can be turned off by a life incongruent in words and lifestyle. How is this different from my life now? they may ask. Those searching for the real thing need to see substance in our lives. If we live as true followers of Jesus, perhaps unbelievers will be attracted to the Gospel. Day 1 Getting Into Their Heart Week 4 The following is an interesting article from Charles Colson on a famous American atheist: Madalyn Murray O'Hair, who led the charge to remove prayer from public schools in 1963, disappeared several years ago and her whereabouts are unknown. The most recent speculation, widely reported, is that she may have been murdered. (In 2001, a coworker at American Atheists admitted to murdering her, her son, and granddaughter in 1995, and led authorities to their remains in Texas.) But when the IRS ordered an auction of O'Hair's remaining property to pay back taxes, a whole new side of the infamous atheist came to light. Among O'Hair's belongings were several diaries, and they give a glimpse of the inner life of the woman once known as the most hated person in America an appellation, by the way, she wore proudly. The diaries confirm that O'Hair was indeed a bitterly unhappy woman, a vicious racist, and an anti-semite. She was consumed with ambition for wealth and power. In 1973, her New Year's wish list included a mink coat, a Cadillac, a cook, and a housekeeper. She also wrote, In 1974 I will run for the governor of Texas, and in 1976, the president of the United States.

2 Around that time I debated O'Hair on David Frost's talk show. For some reason, the segment was never broadcast. At the end of the debate, I told her Christians were praying for her and wished her the best. And I wish you failure, she snarled. I can testify she was a nasty and bitter woman. Yet a surprisingly different side of O'Hair's character emerges from the newly discovered diaries. A 1959 entry reveals an almost pathetic despair. The whole idiotic hopelessness of human relations descends upon me. Tonight I cried and cried, but even then, feeling nothing. In 1977, she wrote, I have failed in marriage, motherhood, and as a politician. O'Hair clearly sensed that something was missing from her life. One poignant phrase appears again and again. In half a dozen places, O'Hair writes, Somebody, somewhere, love me. How telling that this hostile and abrasive person, who harbored nothing but hatred for God and His people, who believed human beings were merely the product of a cosmic accident, would nevertheless cry out to the great void for someone just to love her. What a powerful example of the fundamental truth that we are made for a relationship of love with our Creator, and that we can never fully escape from our true identity and purpose. No matter how much we may deny it intellectually, our nature still cries out for the love we were made to share. To paraphrase the famous words of St. Augustine, even the most bitter atheist is restless until she finds her rest in God. This is a remarkable story that we can use in defending our faith with family and friends. Madalyn Murray O'Hair sought to live her entire life in a manner consistent with atheism. And yet, in the secrecy of her diaries, she admitted it was impossible. If a philosophy is impossible to live out, that's a pretty good sign it is simply wrong. Every philosophy or worldview, after all, purports to present a map of reality, a geography of the soul. But if the map won't show you how to get from point A to point B, or if the roads aren't connected, the map is not worth very much. The inside story of O'Hair's diaries is that atheism is faulty because it cannot be lived out not in the world, nor in the deepest recesses of the human heart. Not even by its best known proponent. Copyright 1999, Prison Fellowship Ministries. Reprinted with permission. BreakPoint with Chuck Colson is a radio ministry of Prison Fellowship Ministries. What can we learn from this article that applies to this module on apologetics? As we seek to share the message of Jesus' love with people in our culture, the question at stake is not "Does a person have faith?" We have seen that all people have faith in something. All people have beliefs that help them through life. The question at stake is "What do people believe?" and "Is it true?" We need to care enough about people to understand what they believe (their presuppositions). God often uses this kind of love and care to open hearts to more fully hear and understand the message of His saving love in Christ.

3 Day 2 Paul the Apologist As Paul shared the message of Christ's love and forgiveness, he was sensitive to the beliefs of his audience. When you understand your own worldview and that of an unbeliever, you have a better possibility of having a relevant conversation about what you both believe. Let s learn from Paul in Acts 17:16-34 as he encounters the people in Athens. These people were not much different from the people we come in contact with today. 1. Read Acts 17: Describe the Greeks. If you have time, research from other sources some of the people of Athens and their lives. 2. What was Paul s approach and strategy when talking to the people of Athens? 3. How were the people responding to Paul? 4. How is Acts 17:22 similar to 2 Timothy 3:7? In Acts 17:17, Paul reasoned ; in 17:2, he reasoned with them from the Scripture, explaining and proving ; in 18:19, he reasoned ; in 18:28, he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ ; and in 19:8, he was arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. He did all of this while trusting the Holy Spirit to speak through him (the Exchanged Life) and touch the hearts and minds of the listeners. 5. In 17:22-23, what did Paul observe about the Greeks? 6. From 17:24-31, what was the essence of his presentation? 7. In 17:32-34, how did the Greeks respond? 8. What are some truths and action plans that you can take from this account?

4 Day 3 What is a Worldview? A worldview is the cluster of presuppositions or beliefs that people hold to help them make sense of the world and life. (There is a Christian worldview, an atheist worldview, a Muslim worldview, Hindu, and on and on). An adequate worldview attempts to answer the following questions: 1. What is ultimate reality? What makes life meaningful? For Christians, ultimate reality is the infinite, personal God of the Bible. For the atheist, whose way of life is completely centered on human interests, the physical or material world is all there is: just matter and energy there is no supernatural. 2. What is the nature of man? For Christians, mankind was created in God's image, male and female. Man fell into sin, and has the possibility of redemption in Jesus Christ. For the atheist, men and women are a complex collection of atoms and molecules, sophisticated animals with no soul. 3. What happens at death? For the Christian, people either enjoy eternal fellowship with their Creator, or they endure eternal separation from Him. In the Buddhist worldview, death means reincarnation (rebirth in new bodies or forms of life) based on moral achievement in this life. For atheists, of course, there is nothing beyond this world. 4. What is the basis of morality? For the Christian, morality is based on the transcendent character of a good God. For the existentialist, morality is an illusion. 5. What is the meaning of history? For Christians, time is linear and is moving toward the fulfillment of God's purposes. For many Eastern religions, time and life are cyclical (i.e., reincarnation). To communicate in a relevant way with the people of our own generation, we first need to develop an understanding of their world and life. The following pointers could help prepare you to minister with gentleness and respect to a friend of another religion: 1. Read about the alternative faith from someone that isn t trying to persuade you or dissuade you. Make sure the writer is an objective thinker clearly describing the pros and cons. 2. Read the religion s foundational and authoritative documents (what they consider authoritative). How consistent and credible is the teaching? How consistent and credible is the founder of the group? Has it stood the test of time? How does it guide and change lives? How does it address sin and the afterlife? 3. Talk with followers to see how their lives are changing and how they have been influenced by their beliefs. Does their faith touch the core of their being? 4. How does the religion or sect explain the meaning of life, humankind and the world? How does it determine values and standards, and address life issues and solutions to problems? How does it define the highest good and the way to obtain it? 5. Is it effective for all people of all times and in all cultures? What are its doctrines and objectives? How does it deal with life and death, good and evil, eternal and temporal issues?

5 6. Are there any likenesses or differences between this religion and Christianity? Is it a world religion, such as Judaism, or a religion that claims to be Christian, such as Mormonism or the Jehovah s Witnesses, but which deviates from orthodox Christianity? God has chosen to reach down and offer us forgiveness and an eternal relationship. All other religions involve men and women trying to reach God by good works and human ideas. Neither we nor our friends can just think our way to God, but as the Spirit leads, each person must choose to believe. It is more than head knowledge. James 2:19 says that even demons believe that there is one God. What s more, if Christianity is true, it is true for all of life, not just religious life. Christianity has something to say about psychology, law, science, engineering, business, marriage, sex, and everything in between. God calls us to love Him with our minds as well as our hearts and souls. 1. Where do you interact with people from other cultures with different views from yours? 2. How confident do you feel of your own faith when you are with them? Day 4 Good Faith Chapter 7 Read Chapter 7 of Good Faith. Write down pertinent points you would like to discuss. Day 5 Good Faith Chapter 8 Read Chapter 8 of Good Faith. Write down pertinent points you would like to discuss.

6 Leader s Guide Sample Understanding Others Week 4 TAKEAWAY Our worldview will impact our apologetics. MAIN POINTS 1. Our beliefs and our way of life should be in agreement. 2. We need to be prepared to give a reason for the hope and beliefs for all that come our way. 3. Our worldview allows us to make sense about life. Our relationship with God will be based on our worldview. KICKOFF (5 minutes) 1. Opening Prayer: Who will lead us in prayer this morning? 2. Standing with Each Other: Ask the gals if they have any pressing issues or prayer requests based on what they have experienced this past week. Follow this with a time of discussion and/or prayer. 3. Prayer Partner: What is the major difficulty you have faced as you worked your way through this week's lesson? What is the major barrier your friend is putting up? Which members of your family are you having difficulty reaching for Christ? How should we pray for these persons? GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (40-45 minutes) 1. How does it make you feel when born again Christians have a lifestyle or behavior that is not much different from non-believers? How about yours? 2. What are your takeaways on the article about O Hair? 3. Spend some time analyzing Paul s reasoning and approach on Day What are some of the major differences in psuedo-christian cults like Mormonism and Jehovah s Witnesses and Biblical Christianity? REFLECTIONS ON THE READING (30-45 minutes) Read and discuss Chapters 7 and 8 in Good Faith.

7 EMPOWERING PRAYER (25 minutes) 1. Rubber Meets the Road: Some of the women may have discovered that unwittingly they are holding some of the views of one or the other non-christian belief systems. It is so easy to pick up ideas and integrate them into our thought life. 2. Closing Prayer: Pray specifically for women who have been trapped in some of these belief systems. Remember to pray for children in our school system, from elementary to college, who are being exposed to belief systems opposite to those we hold dear. DEBRIEFING WITH CO-FACILITATORS (after the meeting) It is important to let the women who are exposed to these unbiblical belief systems tell their story, for as they tell the story others are alerted to the dangers. HELPFUL HINTS Although it is important for us to be aware of the belief systems of others, it is more important that we know the basics of the Christian message. A book like More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell or Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis can do more to win someone caught up in a faulty belief system than the best-prepared argument against their belief system.

Sharing Our Reasonable Faith Sunday, September 10, 2017

Sharing Our Reasonable Faith Sunday, September 10, 2017 Series: Why We ll Do Testimonies Scripture: (pg. ) Theme: Giving a rationale for testimonies We have a Mission as a church That is, we, Horizon Church,