Dealing with Objections

Transcription

1 LEADER GUIDE Dealing with Objections Answering Tough Questions Small Group Study Week 8 October 16, 2005 Lesson Purpose: To help people 1) learn some of the most common objections to the gospel, 2) look at some possible responses, and 3) practice answering objections. Guide: Text with shaded background is teacher-only content Text in boxes is directly from the student handout. In Advance: Pre-enlist some members of your class to participate in a role play where the person being witnessed to has questions or objections to the Gospel. Begin the Lesson/Review: For the last seven weeks we have explored the Biblical foundations of evangelism and about ways to clearly communicate our faith with someone else. We have practiced how to present the Gospel to a person we have formed a relationship with and we have even seen the fruit of our study come to fruition by seeing people come to know the Lord through this study. Whether we like or dislike this study we cannot argue with the fact that God is working through those who share the Gospel to bring salvation to those who receive him. For this final session we will discuss the objections that people have concerning Christianity that we will certainly encounter as we proclaim the Gospel to people. Review of Previous Weeks The formula for Contagious Christianity is: HP +CP + CC = MI High Potency + Close Proximity + Clear Communication = Maximum Impact Assignment Review: Read chapters 14-15, memorize Romans 6:23 Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. An effective testimony outline is My Life 1) Before Christ, 2) Conversion, and 3) After Accepting Christ Don t base success or failure on the person s decision; we have been obedient by sharing Christ. The Importance of Responding to Questions Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15 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. Question: What happens when we don t respond to someone s unanswered questions or confusion concerning the Gospel? Answer: They can become roadblocks and stumbling blocks that someone might never get past. Dealing with Some of the Most Common Questions Discuss: What are the objections that people voice when they hear the Gospel of Christ?

2 (Ask your class members and list on a board or poster) Let s look at several common objections and discuss how to deal with them. (ask your class) Objection #1: How can we be sure that God exists? If the earth tilted on its axis just slightly we would burn up or freeze Look at the human body, how complex it is. It just didn t turn out like it is. Objection #2: Why can t people just believe in God and do good? Why do we have to accept Jesus to go to heaven? Jesus said that he is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him. We can t know the Father except through Christ. Use the Bridge to explain how all are separated from God by sin. Only through Christ can we be joined with the father again. Objection #3: If a loving and powerful God really exists, why doesn t He do something about all the evil in the world? All the evil in the world includes the evil in us. If God got rid of all the evil in the world He would have to get rid of all of us. That is why He has withheld his judgment, so we may become His children and live through faith in Christ.(Use Romans 3:23-25 ) Objection #4: What about innocent people who suffer, like little children. Why does God allow that to happen, why doesn t He do something to help them? God understands full well about suffering. He sent his one and only Son to die and suffer in order to provide a way for us to be forgiven and have eternal life. We don t have all the answers nor do we have full understanding why these things happen but we know Jesus is with us and we can look to him for help. (Hebrews 4:15-16) Objection #5: What makes us so confident that the Bible is true? It has so many authors, so many translations, and was written over so many years- there must be mistakes!

3 Our reply should be here to challenge the person to read the Bible and ask God for understanding. The very reasons for their doubts will become the reasons for their belief in the Bible as God reveals His Word to them. ROLE PLAY A SCENARIO: Review: Ask your class members to give their opinions of the role play. POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT OUR APPROACH questions 1. People s are legitimate and we need to be ready to help them with the answers. Read John 3:1-21 (focus verse 4) "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" smokescreens 2. Watch out for in conversations which are intended to carry the conversation from the intended path. 3. The best way to approach an objection is to the objection and then to the Gospel for the answer. The Gospel is always the answer to all objections. Don t lean on your own understanding. Look what Jesus did when Satan tried to use the Gospel to deceive Him: Luke 4:1-13 (focus verses 3 & 4) The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" offense 4. Move from defense to. It is very important for us to answer people s questions and address their objections but we must always be ready to ask them to respond to the message at some point in the conversation. This should be done with the right attitude. Acts 26:25-29 (focus verse 25, 28, 29) "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 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 God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." gentleness recognize return 5. Have an attitude of. Don t let Satan punch the anger buttons and make us a stumbling stone instead of an ambassador for Christ. It is very important for us to respond to people with a spirit of gentleness. We know the truth and it is so important for us to act upon that faith for the guidance to be kind and gentle to people s questions and objections so they will see that Christ is controlling us in the conversation. Don t let Satan punch the anger buttons and make us a stumbling stone instead of an ambassador for Christ. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15 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. respect 6. Have an attitude of. Remember that people matter to God. We must show them we care like Christ cared for us.

4 Listen to them and show them you care! humility 7. Have an attitude of. This is the final line in our study and it takes back to where our Christian life began, a humble sinner saved by the Grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus In The Book: Finish reading and share it with a friend. In Your Mind: Review all the memory verses to help you be prepared to share the gospel. Lesson Follow Up: Begin or continue a lifestyle of sharing Christ with others.

5 Contagious Christian Memory Verses Week 8 Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Week 7 Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Week 6 John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Week 5 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. Week 4 2 Cor. 5:20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. Week 3 Acts 3:20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Week 2 Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Week 1 Matthew 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."