Faith at Work. Evangelism and Apologetics in the Workplace. ML218 LESSON 05 of 05

Transcription

1 Faith at Work ML218 LESSON 05 of 05 Robert Harp, D.Min. Experience: Director of Strategic Initiatives and Adjunct Professor at Biola University s Crowell School of Business In Lesson 1, we talked about how our life s purpose should bring glory to God. We need to be mindful of time, take inventory of our life, and resolve to set God-honoring priorities. In Lesson 2, we considered the important topic of calling and giftedness. If we are in business or in another vocation, we can honor God with our talents in the same way the pastor or missionary honors God with theirs. We who are in the marketplace are not second-class workers, doing an unspiritual work. Work can be a part of our service and worship to God. First, we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Second, we are called to be faithful with the talents God has given to each of us. And third, we are called to give an account for the stewardship of our talents. In Lesson 3, we considered the importance of mentoring in the context of family, Christian community, and the workplace. In Lesson 4, we examined spiritual formation and how who we are in Christ should be reflected in what we do in the workplace. Our walk is to match our talk; we must guard against compartmentalization. The workplace is an ideal place to live out our Christlikeness among the same pressures and challenges our peers face. In this lesson we also looked at how biblical principles are to affect our decision-making. In Lesson 5, we will be discussing evangelism and apologetics in the workplace. The goal is to build confidence so that we will be prepared to respond to questions about our lives of hope (1 Peter 3:15) and so that we will be in good position to contend for the faith (Jude 3). 1 of 17

2 Introduction There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. Blaise Pascal For Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee. St. Augustine These two quotations set the stage for our discussion of evangelism and apologetics in the workplace. Every person we encounter at work a colleague, employee, or customer will wrestle at some point with the purpose and meaning of life. Sometimes this is brought on by a personal crisis, a family situation, a health challenge, or an external tragic factor such as 9-11, a natural disaster, or a senseless shooting. People ask, Why? They want to make sense out of evil and chaos. These life questions provide opportunities for the Christian. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). When you were a child, you probably heard the simple, yet profound song, Jesus Loves Me : Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Understanding the uniqueness of Jesus and recognizing the authority of the Bible are key components to being an effective witness for Jesus in the workplace. On the screen you will see selected references to Scripture that speak to the uniqueness of Jesus and the authority of the Bible. Allow me to read a few of them for you as you reflect on the message in each. Uniqueness of Jesus The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). 2 of 17

3 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe (Hebrews 1:1-2). Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13). What one can conclude from these verses is that Jesus is unique, and not to be classified with any other. This is an important point. Some will say Jesus was a good moral teacher or a religious figure to respect. But as illustrated by the verses above, one should pause and take note: Jesus is like no other! Authority of the Bible The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever (Isaiah 40:8). All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). What one can conclude from these verses is that the Bible endures forever, it is God-breathed, it is alive and active, and it is able to judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The Bible, like Jesus, is like no other. God has revealed Himself through creation, through Jesus, and through His Word. These three revelations are inseparable. 3 of 17

4 Concerning creation, Paul wrote in Romans 1:20, For since the creation of the world God s invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Creation cries out that there is a Creator; we can see the intricate design all around us. Why is it that people love to watch the sunset, for example, or to be close to an ocean or retreat to the mountains? There is something compelling about the majesty we see. Even more amazing to grasp is the truth that the God who created the world loves us and desires to have a relationship with us! In his prayer for the Ephesians, Paul wrote: For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19). Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. May we grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:18-19). This understanding will propel us to be effective witnesses for Jesus in the workplace. I pray that all of us would do our best to present ourselves to God as workmen who do not need to be ashamed and who correctly handle the word of truth (from 2 Timothy 2:15). God uses His Word to draw people to Himself. In this lesson, we will be discussing evangelism in the workplace, providing seven guidelines for apologetics in the workplace, and 4 of 17

5 identifying online resources that will help you to be effective in doing both. 1. Evangelism in the Workplace Worldview everyone has one. On a global scale, what does this look like? Consider these statistics by the Pew Research Center s Forum on Religion & Public Life: (Note: See Appendix, Research Organizations, for listing of other firms tracking religious trends.) The Global Religious Landscape Worldwide, more than eight-in-ten people identify with a religious group. A comprehensive demographic study of more than 230 countries and territories conducted by the Pew Research Center s Forum on Religion & Public Life estimates that there are 5.8 billion religiously affiliated adults and children around the globe, representing 84% of the 2010 world population of 6.9 billion. The demographic study finds 2.2 billion Christians (32% of the world s population), 1.6 billion Muslims (23%), 1 billion Hindus (15%), nearly 500 million Buddhists (7%) and 14 million Jews (0.2%) around the world as of In addition, more than 400 million people (6%) practice various folk or traditional religions, including African traditional religions, Chinese folk religions, Native American religions and Australian aboriginal religions. An estimated 58 million people slightly less than 1% of the global population belong to other religions, including the Baha i faith, Jainism, Sikhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Tenrikyo, Wicca and Zoroastrianism, to mention just a few. (1) What can we conclude from these statistics? The world is religious and not so different from Athens at the time of the apostle Paul. So how do we communicate the gospel of Jesus to a religious world to a religious workplace? Let s take a look at how Paul addressed the people of Athens in Acts 17: of 17

6 Lesson 05 of 05 Background While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, What is this babbler trying to say? Others remarked, He seems to be advocating foreign gods. They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. [Note: This is the heart of the gospel; this is our message.] Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean. (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) Paul s lead-in: He notes that they are very religious. Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. Paul s Proclamation The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, We are his offspring. Therefore since we are God s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone an image made by human design and skill. In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but 6 of 17

7 now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead. Their Response When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, We want to hear you again on this subject. At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others. Paul s interaction with the people of Athens teaches us three things: 1. We need to look for bridges ways to connect with our colleagues. 2. We must be faithful in explaining the message of the gospel. 3. We must understand that we do not control the outcomes of people s decisions. In the story above, some sneered at Paul s message, some wanted to hear more, and some became followers and believed. We will probably experience these same reactions from people. The gospel simply stated is Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The resurrection of Jesus is the basis of the Christian faith. Without that, the apostle Paul says, our faith is futile. We are still in our sins. Take note of the verses on the screen. I will read a few of them as you reflect on them: But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our 7 of 17

8 preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). A key thought embedded in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 is that there s a sin issue that needs to be addressed. The world is in a fallen/ sinful state (Genesis 3). Romans 3:23 teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But the good news is this: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Chuck Colson says in his book The Faith, Christ comes to the cross to die, giving His righteous life for us; we in turn come to the cross to die, surrendering our old sinful life for Him. Thereafter, Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). This is the heart of the Christian conversion. It s what we mean by the term salvation, or what Christians frequently speak of as being saved or born again. Our past sins are not only forgiven, but we are transformed to live a new life with God s power and grace. The New Testament makes it clear that this gift of salvation... comes by faith not works. The conversion of Chuck Colson, senior counsel to President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, is a remarkable 8 of 17

9 example of the impact a Christian can make by sharing his or her faith in the workplace. Consider this story excerpt about Colson. He called on Tom Phillips, the chief executive of Raytheon who had recently come to the Lord... Colson was hoping to land some of Raytheon s legal business. Instead Phillips talked with passion about his newfound faith and read aloud some passages from Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. Colson first thought his host s religious views were pure Pollyanna. But the reading from the chapter on pride in Lewis s book ( The Great Sin ) struck home. So did the prayer Tom Phillips said at the end of the evening, asking Jesus Christ to open Chuck s heart and show him the light and the way. That s how evangelism in the workplace works a Christian sharing the good news of Jesus with another. When there is a relationship in place, people tend to listen better. Who knows how the Lord is preparing a colleague or client of yours to receive the gospel? As you have opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with others, be faithful. There may be Chuck Colsons in your life. It is possible that you have shared your faith in the past and been rejected. That has happened to me. Once I was sharing with a business colleague about Jesus and gave him the book More Than a Carpenter written by Josh McDowell. He handed the book right back to me and said he was not interested in reading it. He stated that he did not believe in God and had no interest in reading the book. My heart ached for him. Perhaps at another time in his life that seed will take root. We must recognize that people arrive at decisions in different ways and that past hurts can block people from hearing the message of the gospel. On the flip side, sometimes pain brings people to Jesus. Life is not static. People change. Circumstances change. Thus, a seed planted today may take root another day. According to the My Hope with Billy Graham initiative (which has reached 57 countries since 2002), here is what s going on in the typical American neighborhood: 1. 7 struggle with depression even contemplating suicide 2. 7 abuse or are addicted to drugs or alcohol don t profess to be born again 9 of 17

10 4. 14 feel crippled or trapped by fear and anxiety 5. 3 are grieving the death of a loved one 6. 8 are struggling with the loss of a job Life struggles are brought to the workplace, and we can be ambassadors with a message of hope. We are therefore Christ s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ s behalf: Be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). The message of reconciliation is expressed well by John Newton, who wrote Amazing Grace: Although my memory s fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior. Many religious people will say that Jesus was a good moral teacher; however, C. S. Lewis explains why this statement is unacceptable. I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don t accept His claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic... or else he would be the Devil of Hell... Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. 2. Apologetics in the Workplace Next, we will look at apologetics. Evangelism is sharing the gospel of Jesus. Apologetics is being able to give a defense of the Christian faith. Keep in mind that when we are talking about evangelism and apologetics in the context of the workplace we are not talking about making this our primary focus at work. Our primary focus at work is to do our job in a way that brings honor to God. However, as Christians in the workplace, we need to be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. We need to contend for the faith. Apologetics can help us do this. 10 of 17

11 In the book Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics, Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli note: Most people scorn apologetics because it seems very intellectual, abstract and rational. They contend that life and love and morality and sanctity are much more important than reason. Those who reason this way are right; they just don t notice that they are reasoning. We can t avoid reasoning; we can only avoid doing it well. Our task is to help people reason well. Here are some of the big questions people have: 1. Is there a God? If so, what is the nature of God? How do I connect with God? 2. Creation and evolution how did it all begin? 3. Is the Bible really a sacred book? How does it differ from other religious teachings? 4. Why is there evil and suffering in the world? 5. Is there really a hell? 6. Who was Jesus Christ? Is the resurrection true? 7. What happens after death? There are well-reasoned explanations to these important questions and more by Christian apologists. The next section will identify these apologists and provide links to their websites (many of which are rich with resources). We may not always have the answer to questions people ask, but it is important to know where to turn for biblically based information. Let s take a look at seven guidelines for apologetics in the workplace: a. Be patient with the doubter. In our dialogue with others about the Christian faith, we sometimes encounter the doubter. Whatever we say is not enough, but we have to be patient. John 20:24-31 tells the story of doubting Thomas. Notice how Jesus interacts with Thomas s doubt in this passage from the gospel of John. John 20:24-31 Doubt expressed Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, Unless 11 of 17

12 I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. Doubt addressed A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you! Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Doubt removed Thomas said to him, My Lord and my God! Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. We should not belittle doubters, but pray for them, provide helpful resources, and encourage them to take a step of faith (remember Jesus s words, Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed ). If someone is struggling with the creation/evolution debate, consider giving them the book or DVD The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel. If someone is wrestling with who Jesus is, we can suggest that they check out the website Jesus Fact or Fiction? (designed by the JESUS Film Project). ChristianUniversity.org also offers a number of free online classes that could be helpful to you and/or to your doubter: 10 Reasons to Believe in the Christian Faith 10 Reasons to Believe God Became a Man 10 Reasons to Believe in the Existence of God 10 Reasons to Believe in Life After Death 10 Reasons to Believe Real Christians Can Look Like They re Not 12 of 17

13 10 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection 10 Reasons to Believe in Christ Rather than Religion 10 Reasons to Believe in the Bible 10 Reasons to Believe in a God Who Allows Suffering b. Don t become puffed up with pride because of your knowledge. The goal in apologetics is to help people reason well, not to win an argument. If we come to a place where we think you know everything, it s time to read Job God s message to Job will put our very limited knowledge in proper perspective. Job 38 starts out: Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? And God s questions to Job kept coming as He reveals His sovereignty and wisdom to Job. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. c. Recognize that some will not accept what you have to say. Presenting the gospel clearly and being able to answer one s questions about the Christian faith does not mean that there will be agreement. There are intelligent people who hold beliefs that are contrary to the Bible. They are convinced that they are right and that we are wrong worst yet, that we are narrow-minded. We must remember that our task is to be faithful in sharing and 13 of 17

14 defending the good news. We cannot control the outcomes. The following passages remind us of this fact. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:18-31) d. Pray for those with whom you share. When we are sharing the gospel and defending the Christian faith, we must not underestimate the power of prayer. Do you recall Paul s defense before Agrippa in Acts 26? In verses 27-29, he says King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do. Then Agrippa said to Paul, Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian? Paul replied, Short time or long I pray to God that not only you but all who 14 of 17

15 Lesson 05 of 05 are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains. e. Be prepared to help others discover the truths of the Bible. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian as told in Acts 8:26-40 highlights the importance of being spiritually prepared to help others understand God s Word. Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Go south to the road the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means queen of the Ethiopians ). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, Go to that chariot and stay near it. Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. Do you understand what you are reading? Philip asked. How can I, he said, unless someone explains it to me? So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. f. Recognize that you are in a spiritual war. The Bible is clear that we are in a spiritual war. Spiritual preparation for battle should not be underestimated, as stated in Ephesians. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17). g. Live as an ambassador. 15 of 17

16 Numerous references will appear on the screen for your perusal. Here are a few: However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me the task of testifying to the good news of God s grace (Acts 20:24). We are therefore Christ s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ s behalf: Be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8). Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:14). But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God s holy people (Jude 1:3). To recap, Be patient with the doubter. Don t become puffed up with pride because of your knowledge. Recognize that some will not accept what you have to say. Pray for those you share with. Be prepared to help others discover the truths of the Bible. 16 of 17

17 Recognize that you are in a spiritual war. Live as an ambassador. 3. Evangelism and Apologetic Resources In this section, you will be provided a listing of more than 40 websites outstanding resources covering apologetics, creation, cultural thought, and evangelism. Take time to review the sites and the resources available. They will help you become more effective in sharing and defending your Christian faith in the workplace. Conclusion The gospel has been proclaimed and defended for centuries since the time Jesus declared, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). God s Word challenges us to: Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God s holy people (Jude 1:3). Let s do it. Be His witness in your workplace. Christ-Centered Learning Anytime, Anywhere 17 of 17