Bible Studies for Life. Leader Guide / FALL 2010

Transcription

1 Bible Studies for Life Leader Guide / FALL 2010 t

2 Leading Your Youth to Christ What do you understand it takes for a person to go to heaven and have eternal life? ADMIT Admit to God that you are a sinner. Repent, turning away from your sin. Romans 3:23; 6:23; Acts 3:19 BELIEVE By faith receive Jesus Christ as God s Son and accept Jesus gift of forgiveness from sin. John 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:11-13 CONFESS Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. 1 John 1:9; Romans 10:9-10,13 If you are choosing right now to believe Jesus died for your sins and to receive new life through Him, pray a prayer similar to this as you call upon Him alone to be your Savior and Lord: Dear God, I know I am a sinner and have rebelled against You in many ways. I believe Jesus died for my sin and only through faith in His death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I now turn from my sin and ask Jesus to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day forward, I will choose to follow Jesus. Thank You, Lord, for loving me and for forgiving me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. After you have received Jesus Christ into your life, share your decision with another person, and following Christ s example, ask for baptism by immersion in your local church as a public expression of your faith. Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:6

3 Table of Contents L I F E FOCUS LE ADE R G U I D E, VO L UME 3, N UMBER 1 FA L L 2010 Unit 1: Defense Wins Championships September Overview and Calendar...09 September 5: Developing a Defensive Mind-set September 12: Defending the Run...21 September 19: Defending the Pass...31 September 26: Creating Turnovers...41 Unit 2: Catch Phrases October Overview and Calendar...51 October 3: The Apple Doesn t Fall Far from the Tree...53 October 10: Seeing Ourselves Through Rose-colored Glasses October 17: Seeing Is Believing October 24: One of a Kind...83 October 31: Keeping the Faith Unit 3: The Case for the Christian Life November Overview and Calendar November 7: The Claim: The Christian Life Is Better November 14: The Contrast: Life in Light of Eternity November 21: The Commitment: A Life Together November 28: The Challenge: A Life Worth Sharing Ministry Ideas and Helps Leading Your Youth to Christ...02 What s in Life Focus? How to Use Life Focus...06 Youth Sunday School Plan Sheet...08 Leader Helps Student Ministry Publishing Strategy Bible Studies for Life Curriculum Plan Chart Coming Next Quarter Fall

4 The Writing Team Bill Hughes wrote the teaching plans and options for September. Bill is the youth minister at First Baptist Church, Tifton, Georgia. He became a Christian when he was 18 years old, and has worked 38 years in youth ministry. Bill enjoys golf and running. He and his wife, Dana, have two daughters. Tammy Smith wrote the teaching plans and options for October. Tammy attends Church at Woodland in Cartersville, Georgia. She became a Christian when she was 12 years old, and has taught middle school for 18 years. Tammy enjoys running and hiking, and her three children. Victoria Singa-Nuguid wrote the teaching plans and options for November. Victoria is a member of Philippine International Bible Church in Laytonsville, Maryland, where her husband, Stephen, serves as the youth pastor. She became a Christian when she was 7 years old. Victoria enjoys reading, keeping up with her two boys, and doing ministry with her husband. Going Deeper Writers Terry Ellis wrote the Bible commentary for the September unit. Terry is pastor of the Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. Stephen Carlson wrote the Bible commentary for the October unit. Stephen served 10 years as an editor for LifeWay Christian Resources and for two years was the managing editor of the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Brady Collier wrote the Bible commentary for the November unit. Brady is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. LIFE FOCUS LEADER GUIDE A guide for teaching Bible truths to youth ages PRODUCTION AND MINISTRY TEAM Barbara Hammond Content Editor Alice Stegemann Content Editor, Personal Bible Study Carol Ellis Production Editor Johnny Shumate Graphic Designer Ed Crawford Senior Graphic Design Specialist Paul Turner National Student Ministry Leader Sherry Spillman Student Ministry Specialist Lynn H. Pryor Editorial Project Leader Send questions/comments to Content Editor, Life Focus Leader Guide One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the Web at MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL Jimmy Hester, Senior Director Student Ministry Publishing David Francis, Director Sunday School Scott Stevens, Director Student Ministry Gary H. Hauk, Director, Publishing LifeWay Church Resources Printed in the United States of America Life Focus Leader Guide (ISSN: ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. For ordering or inquiries, visit or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. The 2000 statement of The Baptist Faith and Message is our doctrinal guideline. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, King James Version. 4 Life Focus Leader Guide

5 What s in Life Focus? Maybe you already know that Life Focus is biblically and theologically sound; uses the same Scripture passages as the adult Bible Studies for Life curriculum; is systematic and based on the LifeWay strategy for student spiritual development; inspires students to see the Scripture as their source of truth; and begins with and answers a Life Question in every session. So you may be asking, What s new in Life Focus? The connection between the Student Strategy and Life Focus is identified. Look for the KNOW, OWN, or KNOWN icons identifying the area of spiritual development in each unit. (For more Student Strategy information, see pp ) KNOW OWN KNOWN Optional learning activities are included in the Activitybased Plan suitable for younger youth or older youth. Look for the symbols (YY) for younger youth or (OY) for older youth. Continuing the Focus daily Bible reading listings match the new daily Scripture divisions in ec (essential connection) by giving one Scripture listing for Saturday and Sunday. The Life Questions for each unit are included on the CD-ROM. Print out and use these Life Questions as posters, activity helps, or discussion starters during the sessions. In addition, Life Focus will continue these features: Life Focus is supported by EXTRA! Download the free weekly current-events supplement at Life Focus is supported by a free leader preparation podcast. Subscribe to the podcast at Fall 2010 Plan A is an activity-based plan that will guide you as you lead students. Plan A uses the Bible study information, activities, learner guide, and pack items. Provided for each session is Plan B, a discussionbased plan for you to use if you prefer discussion questions. Session at a Glance provides a quick overview of the activity-based plan activities, Scripture references, and supplies needed for each session. Brief Bible background excerpts are located throughout the activity-based teaching plan. Going Deeper is an in-depth Bible study for each session. We want to hear from you. This page highlights some of the newer features of Life Focus Leader Guide. We hope these features have been helpful to you. Please help us out by jotting down and answering the following questions. Send your answers to: LifeWay Christian Resources Content Editor, Life Focus Leader Guide One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN What is the size of your church? youth group? your class? What features in this Guide are most helpful to you as a teacher? What was your favorite session to teach? Why? What are your students favorite activities? What would you like to see different about this leader guide? What do you like about the student Life Focus Learner Guide? What would you like to see different about the student Life Focus Learner Guide? What do you like most about the Life Focus Leader Pack? We look forward to hearing from you! Turn the page for a more detailed explanation of how to use the Youth Bible Studies for Life line of products. 5

6 How to Use Life Focus There are four pieces that will help you have a strong Bible study experience. Leader Guide Start here. This Prepare page gives you the overall direction of the study. Notice the Life Question and the Biblical Truth. Let these two elements drive your study. The Session at a Glance summarizes the teaching procedures and options along with supplies needed. Plan A: Activity-based Interaction is your road map for leading your students in Bible study. Using Bible information, activities, and options, it will guide you to make use of the learner guide and leader pack items. Plan B: Discussion-based Interaction is for use if you prefer discussion questions. Use the questions from this plan to lead your students in Bible study along with their learner guides. Going Deeper is a personal Bible study for leaders. These four pages will get you deeper into the Bible passages. Let God use it to teach you before you teach. Leader Helps. On pages are additional suggestions related to the general ministry of your Sunday School. There are ideas for you and your students to continue the study after the class time has concluded. Leader Pack The leader pack provides: Posters Handouts Reproducible items Ease-of-use items CD-ROM includes the teaching plan in a customizable format, additional handouts, music, audio files, and multimedia games and presentations. The activity-based teaching plan and options will give you instructions on how to use these items. 6 Life Focus Leader Guide

7 Learner Guide Provide a learner guide for each student. The learner guide includes many of the learning activities mentioned in the teaching plan and used during the study. It is best for the students to use their own Bibles in the classroom, but if needed, the Scripture is printed in the learner guide. The learner guide can be purchased in either the King James Version or the Holman Christian Standard Bible translations. Leave the learner guides in the classroom! The only part that should go home with the student is the perforated page identified as Staying Focused. Electronic teaching plans and other resources can be found on the leader pack CD-ROM. Download EXTRA!, the free weekly current-events supplement, at Subscribe to the free leader preparation podcast, at StudentBSFL. For a social network to help parents keep it all together, visit Join our community of Life Focus leaders, visit lifewayextra.ning.com/group/lifefocusteachers Do you twitter? Check out essential connection (ec) Provide a copy of ec to each student and challenge them to have a daily time alone with God. The daily devotions in ec support and complement what they studied during the class. The students will also benefit from the articles. One great feature in ec is Campus Connection, a teaching plan for students to use on their school campuses to teach other students. Fall 2010 We suggest the following steps in preparing to teach. Start early in the week. Read the learner guide to preview the Scripture passage(s) and activities. Photocopy the plan sheet (p. 8) and use it as you preview the teaching plans. Use the Session at a Glance for an overview of the activities, options, and supplies. Determine whether you want to use Plan A: Activity-based Interaction plan or Plan B: Discussion-based Interaction plan. Are there things that you need to be preparing now? If there is more than one teacher in your youth Sunday School, set aside some time to plan together. Use Leader Helps in the back of the book for suggestions on planning together. Review these suggestions, even if you work alone. Study Going Deeper. Study the teaching plan. Gather whatever supplies and resources you will need, including items found in the leader pack and on the CD-ROM. Look for suggestions on the monthly calendar page. For a current event that ties to the week s study, check out Pray throughout your preparation and expect God to work! 7

8 Youth Sunday School Plan Sheet Teaching Outline Prepare the ministry environment for spiritual transformation Prayer Concerns Resources Needed/ Encounter God s Word in a Youth Bible Persons Responsible study group Motivation Church Relationships Fellowship/Evangelism Examination Bible Study Continue teaching-learning in daily living and family relationships Application

9 Unit 1 Why This Study? All believers need to understand what they believe and why. They also need to be ready to explain and defend their beliefs about God to those who question them. That is the purpose of apologetics. This study (and the whole quarter) is launched with an emphasis on the importance of apologetics and owning faith. That emphasis is grounded in 1 Peter 3:15 and the call to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you. So even though any study in the discipline of apologetics deepens people s understanding of God and helps them take ownership of their faith, we also want to help students be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you. Our focus is to make your faith known. We don t just want to help ground students in the faith; we also want them to speak confidently to others about why they believe what they believe. (For more information on the strategy to make your faith known, see the Student Strategy on pp ) Younger Youth and Older Youth Activities Every activity in the Activity-based Interaction Plan can be adapted for your class as you see fit. One way you can adapt or customize your teaching plan is by using the activities labeled (YY) and (OY). These activities can be used with all ages of students; however, they have been identified more specifically for younger youth or older youth. When you see these symbols, consider the students in your class and adapt the activities as needed. Fall 2010 Known S E P T E M B E R Defense Wins Championships This unit begins a quarter-long study in apologetics. It begins with an introductory session on apologetics and then makes the case for the existence of God, the love of God, and God s personal involvement in our lives. WEEK OF September 5 Developing a Defensive Mind-set Life Question: How can I defend what I believe? September 12 Defending the Run Life Question: How can we know there is a God? September 19 Defending the Pass Life Question: If God is loving, why did He allow this to happen to me? September 26 Creating Turnovers Life Question: Just how involved is God in the world around us? Additional Resources If you want some in-depth background material to assist your personal understanding and preparation, consider using one of the following resources: 9 The Herschel Hobbs Commentary. This is our most popular lesson supplement. We ve taken the unique style and tradition of Dr. Hobbs s KJV-based commentary and applied it to the current Bible Studies for Life lessons. Learners and teachers alike will appreciate the comprehensive Bible exposition plus added features like word studies and interactive sections that help readers apply God s truths to life today. 9 Advanced Bible Study Commentary Holman CSB. Teachers and learners who desire more extensive commentary will find this resource a helpful and trusted companion. Advanced Bible Study is based on the Holman Christian Standard Bible and offers teachers detailed, in-depth material such as explanations of key words and concepts, Bible background information, and exploration of Bible truths in each Bible Studies for Life lesson. Both quarterly resources can be ordered at or by calling

10 September 2010 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Pray and prepare for the new unit by reading page 9 and glancing over the entire unit. Pray and prepare for the each session by carefully studying Going Deeper, Leader Helps, and either Plan A or Plan Labor Day Patriot Day B. Prepare for mural option (p. 22) Plan for children s hospital visit (p. 147) See You at the Pole Autumn Begins Send invitations to parents (p. 148) Begin early preparation for Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. 10 Life Focus Leader Guide

11 Week of September 5 Developing a Defensive Mind-set PREPA R E YOUR S E L F TO L E A D B I B L E STU DY Unit 1: Defense Wins Championships Session 1: Developing a Defensive Mind-set Session 2: Defending the Run Session 3: Defending the Pass Session 4: Creating Turnovers Life Question: How can I defend what I believe? Biblical Truth: Your hope in Christ can be defended by confidently sharing what you know. Biblical Setting: Peter called his readers to be ready to explain why they can hope even in difficult circumstances. When Paul was seized by the mob in the temple area, he spoke in his own defense. As a defense, Paul told the crowd of his work before becoming a follower of Christ and how he encountered Christ near Damascus. Life Impact: This session is designed to help students develop a defensive mind-set by... 9 understanding the term apologetics; 9 preparing them to defend their hope in Christ; and 9 sharing what Christ has done for them. Bible Passages: Acts 21:40 22:10; 1 Peter 3:15-17 Key Verse: 1 Peter 3:15 Activities Session at a Glance Supplies & Preparation Motivation Department time Are You Ready for This? Option: Video Interview Option: Game Introduce the Study Examination Class time 1. Mind-set Number One: Be Prepared (1 Pet. 3:15-17) Option: Poster 2. Mind-set Number Two: Know Your Audience (Acts 21:40 22:3) Option: Survey 3. Mind-set Number Three: Tell What You Know (Acts 22:4-10) Option: Video Testimonies Application Class time Make Your Case Option: Case Studies 9item 1 9 video equipment and player 9CD-ROM 9item 2 9 poster board, markers 9CD-ROM 9 video equipment and player 9item 3 9CD-ROM Week of September 5, 2010 EXTRA! 11

12 Plan A ACTI V ITY-BA S E D INT E R AC T ION Life Question How can I defend what I believe? Biblical Truth Your hope in Christ can be defended by confidently sharing what you know. An apologist is one who defends the faith. Typically we think of a person with many degrees, engaging in debate with unbelievers in the halls of higher learning. Our first task in working through this study is to dispel that image. An apologist is anyone who follows Christ. Every one of us is enabled and responsible to make the case for the Christian faith. Apologetics, the defense of the Christian faith, involves several straightforward tasks. First, it means that a Christian should be able to articulate a positive case for the Christian faith as a belief system that should be embraced. Second, it should provide a defense against attacks on our faith from competing belief systems. Third, an apologist should be able to respond to non-christians reasons for their belief systems. Finally, an apologist should be able to make a positive appeal to non-christians to become Christians by committing their lives to Jesus Christ. 1 MOTIVATION 9 Are You Ready for This? Before the session, write the following eight statements on the dry-erase board or on a large sheet of paper and affix the paper to a focal wall. (CD) 1. The Christian faith cannot be defended. 2. There is solid evidence in nature that God exists. 3. Your personal experience with God shows that He does exist. 4. Human suffering shows that God does not get involved in the world. 5. Most intelligent people feel there is no God. 6. The Bible is useless in showing that God exists. 7. Christians should not study science because they can lose their faith by so doing. 8. It is possible to help someone with questions about faith to discover the truth. ITEM 1 Then cover the statements with sheets of newspaper so that youth are not able to see the statements. As youth arrive, call attention to Leader Pack Are You Ready for This? (item 1) that you have placed on a focal wall. If you don t have the leader pack, create a poster about being attacked for the faith. Ask: What would you be thinking if you were the guy in the center of the picture? Do you ever feel attacked for your faith? Next, give each youth a sheet of paper and pen, and direct them to number their papers from 1-8. Remove the newspaper revealing the statements you have written down. Direct youth to write T (for true) and F (for false) beside the corresponding number on their paper. When youth have finished the true false test, briefly discuss the correct answers. (1-F, 2-T, 3-T, 4-F, 5-F, 6-F, 7-F, 8-T ) Say: As you grow older you may be required to defend your faith on a regular basis. Ask: Do you feel like you are ready to defend your faith? Option: Video Interview (OY) Before the session enlist students to create a man-on-the-street video by going to a mall or shopping area and asking random people two simple questions: 1. In your opinion, why do some people have a hard time believing that God exists? 2. In your opinion, what is the best evidence for the existence of God? Secure approval from the mall authorities to approach their customers. If needed, 12 Life Focus Leader Guide

13 provide students with a video camera, adult support, and transportation. View and discuss the video as a group. Option: Game To supplement the true/false activity, as youth arrive, assign them to one of two teams. Lead teams in playing Leader Pack Make Your Defense Game (CD-ROM). After playing the game, discuss the answers the youth gave. 9 Introduce the Study Call attention to Leader Pack Defense Wins Championships (item 2) and introduce the new unit dealing with apologetics. Explain the term apologetics and help students understand it simply means defending your faith. If you don t have the pack, write the unit title and session title on a poster board. Ask: Why do you think it is important to be able to defend your faith? Enlist students to read aloud the Life Question (p. 12) in their Life Focus Learner Guides. (CD) Explain that today we will discover three mind-sets that are needed to defend the faith. Ask: When you attempt to defend your faith at school, do you sometimes lack confidence? How can you gain more confidence in defending and sharing your faith? ITEM 2 Say: Today we are going to begin to answer the question of how you can defend your faith by talking about three mind-sets you need to have to defend your faith. THESE MOTIVATION ACTIVITIES CAN BE USED IN A DEPARTMENT TIME. EXAMINATION 1. Mind-set Number One: Be Prepared (1 Pet. 3:15-17) The starting point for making our case is to set apart the Messiah as Lord in our hearts. The result is a life that reflects accurately a devotion to God, a Christian point of view, and activities that are pure and honorable. This private devotion to God results in a very public life that will inevitably be evident to others. The assumption is that we should know what we believe and be able to articulate it. Believers need to understand the essentials of the gospel and be able to explain them to others. We should also notice that Peter anticipated that people would ask us for a reason for the hope that is in us. The truth of the gospel can and must be defended in an unbelieving world. We can never argue someone into the kingdom. Our goal in apologetics is to respond lovingly to someone who asks about or questions our hope in God. Bad behavior undermines a Christian s witness. We might not yet face formal persecution in our country, but Christians must never give a foothold for the accusation of hypocrisy by immoral lifestyles. Divide youth into two listening teams. Give each team a copy of the following questions. 1. Where is the most important place for Jesus to be Lord? 2. What are we always supposed to be ready to do? 3. What is the hope that is in you? 4. How are you supposed to make your defense? 5. If a Christian must suffer, for what should he or she suffer? (CD) Direct teams to close their Bibles and simply listen as you read aloud 1 Peter 3: After you have read the passage, allow teams a few minutes to record what they believe to be the answers to the questions. After teams have finished, discuss the answers each team has written down. (Answers: 1. In your heart all else flows from there. 2. Make a defense of our faith to anyone who asks about the hope in you. 3. Christ in us is the hope note: see Col. 1: With gentleness and respect. 5. For doing good.) Week of September 5,

14 After discussing the questions, ask: What are practical ways to be prepared to defend your faith? Option: Poster To supplement the listening teams, provide poster board and markers, and instruct teams to create a poster based on 1 Peter 3: Direct teams to take one aspect of the passage, such as setting Jesus apart as Lord or give a defense to anyone and create a poster based on that aspect of the passage. When teams finish, lead teams to share their posters with the entire group. 2. Mind-set Number Two: Know Your Audience (Acts 21:40 22:3) Paul was a highly educated man, and made his plea to the commander of the troops in Greek. When he addressed the crowd, however, he spoke in the Hebrew language. This one they considered a Greek outsider was suddenly addressing them fluently in their own native tongue. He addressed them as brothers and fathers, terms that reflected his kinship with them and his great respect for the elders among them. Even though they had beaten him and would have killed him, he sought to establish common ground. He was one of them. Having initially established a relationship with them, he appealed to them to hear his defense. Paul explained that he was an eminent and deeply respected Jewish scholar, leading member of the Sanhedrin, and trainer of many disciples. Paul s purpose for reviewing his background was to establish points of contact with the crowd. His ultimate purpose was to demonstrate that if he could make the transition to faith in Christ, then they could as well. We should be especially sensitive to identify points of commonality between ourselves and those with whom we seek to share our faith. Direct youth to read Mind-set Number Two: Know Your Audience in the Life Focus Learner Guide (pp ) as well as Acts 21:40 22:3. Direct youth to write answers to all the questions in this section of their learner guides. When youth have finished, review the first three questions about Paul s life. (Answers: 1. He spoke in Hebrew to identify with the people. 2. The mob knew of Gamaliel and this gave Paul credibility. 3. He complimented their zeal for God.) Next divide youth into pairs and instruct each pair to share their answers to the personal questions with their partner. After students have finished sharing with each other, on the left side of the board, write in a column these points: 1. Allow Jesus to be Lord in your heart. 2. Give a defense to all who ask. 3. Be gentle and show respect. 4. Be willing to suffer for doing good. (CD) Say: These are the main principles that Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:15-17 in regards to defending your faith. Ask: How did Paul actually follow each of Peter s principles? Option: Survey To supplement this activity, do a survey this week of local youth. Make copies of Leader Pack Teen Survey (CD-ROM) and direct youth or leaders to carry out the survey before the session. Compile the results and then discuss your findings with the class. Lead students to see the common ground between them and the youth they surveyed. Discuss how they could use their points of commonality as a way to share their faith. 3. Mind-set Number Three: Tell What You Know (Acts 22:4-10) Making your case for faith involves four distinct points: what your life was like before you became a Christian, how you came to learn about Christ, how and when you trusted Him, and what your life has been like since you became a Christian. Paul had 14 Life Focus Leader Guide

15 already broadly established his life previous to Christian faith. The crowd could have identified with him fully. Paul s specific confrontation with Christ occurred as he was traveling near Damascus. Jesus spoke to him directly, and challenged his life. Paul s specific response to Christ was to ask, What shall I do, Lord? This scene describes the beginning point of the transformation of Paul s life. The final point of testimony is borne out in the narrative of Acts concerning Paul s journeys to share his faith and in the 13 letters of the New Testament he wrote. The strongest point of your testimony should be the difference Christ has made in your life. Any believer can share what Christ has done in his or her life. This defense is not complicated, but is very compelling. A changed life is a powerful defense. Call for a volunteer to read aloud Acts 22:4-10. Ask: What is this passage about? (Answer: The conversion of Paul.) Distribute an index card and direct youth to reread Acts 22:4-10 and jot down the seven or eight main points of Paul s story in a series of phrases each six words or less. (Examples: I was persecuting the church, I went to Damascus to persecute, Light from heaven flashed around me, A voice spoke to me, I answered Who are you?, The voice was Jesus, I said What should I do?, He said to go to Damascus.) Next, call upon youth to read the main points they have written down. Discuss the main points and congratulate youth who listed all the main points and used only six-word phrases. Ask: Why do you think I asked you to write Paul s story in six-word phrases? (Answer: Because we need to learn to communicate our own testimony in a concise way.) Instruct students to complete the activity in their learner guides (p. 16, writing Paul s testimony). Finally, give youth a second index card. Say: Now that you have written Paul s testimony, write your testimony in eight or less phrases. When youth have finished writing their testimonies, call upon each youth to read their written testimony. Ask: Why is our own personal testimony one of the best defenses we have of the Christian faith? Option: Video Testimonies Videotape several youth testimonies before the session. Along with the real testimonies, record some made up fake testimonies that are actually poor or bogus testimonies. (Example of a bogus testimony would be a testimony that doesn t talk of God or conversion but rather the need to be just a little more religious.) Play the video and lead the class in discussing the merits of each testimony. Ask: What separates the real testimonies from the fake testimonies? APPLICATION 9 Make Your Case Pair students off and give each pair a copy of Leader Pack Time To Defend (item 3). If you don t have the pack, create case studies about defending the faith. Direct youth to read the three case studies and rank them in order of 1 to 3, with 1 being a really easy time to defend and 3 being a really hard time to defend. When youth have finished ranking the scenarios, call upon each pair to share their ranking with the entire class. Next, direct each pair to use the case studies they selected as a number 3 (hardest to defend) and formulate their defense (either written or oral) of their faith in that scenario. When everyone has formulated a defense, direct youth pairs to share the defense they would use in their selected toughest scenario. Remind youth to take home and complete Staying Focused for this session (pp ). Option: Real Case Studies (OY) To replace the case studies in the application step, use even more difficult case studies from Leader Pack Real Case Studies (CD-ROM). ITEM 3 (YY) (OY) INDICATES ACTIVITIES SUITABLE FOR YOUNGER YOUTH OR FOR OLDER YOUTH. FOR IN-DEPTH BIBLE STUDY ON THIS SESSION S PASSAGES, SEE PAGES (CD) INDICATES AN ITEM ON THE LEADER PACK CD-ROM SUPPORTS THIS ACTIVITY. FOR MORE IDEAS TO PLAN AND CONTINUE THIS STUDY, SEE PAGE 145. Week of September 5,

16 Plan B D ISCUSSION - B A S E D INT E R AC T ION Life Question How can I defend what I believe? Biblical Truth Your hope in Christ can be defended by confidently sharing what you know. For printed Scripture passages and response activities, refer youth to pages in the Life Focus Learner Guide. MOTIVATION a. What does the term apologetics mean to you? b. How do you defend your faith? c. What do you need to do to be ready to defend your faith? d. How would you feel if you saw someone being attacked for their faith? e. When have you felt uncomfortable being a believer? f. Do you think the Christian faith can be defended? Why or why not? g. What solid evidence in nature shows that God exists? h. When you attempt to defend your faith at school do you sometimes lack confidence? If so, why? i. How can you gain more confidence in defending and sharing your faith? EXAMINATION 1. Mind-set Number One: Be Prepared 1 Peter 3:15-17 (pp ) a. Where is the most important place for Jesus to be Lord? b. What are we always supposed to be ready to do? c. What is the hope that is in you? d. How are you supposed to make your defense? e. How do you feel about suffering for good? f. What are practical ways to be prepared to defend your faith? g. Whom do you know that you feel does a good job of defending his or her faith? 2. Mind-set Number Two: Know Your Audience Acts 21:40 22:3 (pp ) a. Did Paul actually follow each of Peter s principles? b. Why do you think Paul followed Peter s principles? c. Since you are supposed to know your audience, who is your audience? d. Describe the mind-set of most youth at your school when it comes to Jesus. 3. Mind-set Number Three: Tell What You Know Acts 22:4-10 (pp ) a. Why did Paul share his testimony with these people? b. Why is our own personal testimony one of the best defenses we have of the Christian faith? c. How would you feel if you were challenging someone s faith and she countered with her personal testimony? d. How would you feel if someone avoided the truth when talking with you just to spare your feelings? e. Why do you think we should not avoid the truth when telling people about our faith? APPLICATION a. How can you defend your faith against people more intelligent than you? b. Why is defending the faith every Christian s job? c. What are things you can do this week to better prepare yourself to defend your faith? d. What can you take with you from this week s study to help you in your defense of the faith? 16 Life Focus Leader Guide

17 Going Deeper I have an apologist in my house right this very minute. A couple of months ago, my wife, Leslie, and I found termites chewing away happily on two of the front rooms of our house. After subsequently reviving my dear wife, we engaged the pest control forces and have now begun the process of repairing the damage. One of the chief workers is a man named Lester. In addition to being a carpenter/ painter/electrician/anything-that-needs-to-be-done type of worker, he is also a Christian who reads well and shares his faith readily and naturally. He is interested in theology, but his main strength is a simple testimony of how God has shaped, changed, and redeemed his life. An apologist is one who defends the faith. Typically we think of a person with many degrees, engaging in debate with unbelievers in the halls of higher learning. Our first task in working through this study is to dispel that image. An apologist is anyone who follows Christ. Every one of us is enabled and responsible to make the case for the Christian faith. Apologetics, the defense of the Christian faith, involves several straightforward tasks. First, it means that a Christian should be able to articulate a positive case for the Christian faith as a belief system that should be embraced. Second, it should provide a defense against attacks on our faith from competing belief systems. Third, an apologist should be able to respond to non-christians reasons for their belief systems. Finally, an apologist should be able to make a positive appeal to non-christians to become Christians by committing their lives to Jesus Christ. 1 Based on the criteria of the preceding paragraph, who is the best apologist you know? The passages for study this week build a foundation for understanding and engaging in apologetics. Peter s words in his first letter provide some guidelines. Paul s testimony in Acts provides an example. And a man like Lester who combines love for Christ, knowledgeable faith, and friendly demeanor provides a great illustration of how every Christian can and should be an apologist. 1. Mind-set Number One: Be Prepared (1 Pet. 3:15-17) The two verses preceding our focal passage (1 Pet. 3:13-14) provide an important context for making your case in difficult circumstances. Peter wrote to people who were persecuted for their faith. One of his main points is that we all suffer for righteousness and cannot be surprised Week of September 5, 2010 by it. That fact does not undermine the legitimacy of Christianity. In fact, you are blessed when persecution comes. All believers are to take advantage of every opportunity to witness to others about Jesus Christ. If we are waiting for the perfect situation, or waiting to become the perfect disciple, then we have decided ahead of time that we will remain silent. Suffering, pain, or persecution ought not mute our witness. Ironically, through God s grace and power, difficult circumstances can magnify our witness. The starting point for making our case is to set apart the Messiah as Lord in our hearts. Sanctify or set apart reflects the root word for holiness, meaning to keep something apart or above all other things in significance. The heart represents the motive for all thoughts, words, and actions. The result is a life that reflects accurately a devotion to God, a Christian point of view, and activities that are pure and honorable. This private devotion to God results in a very public life that will inevitably be evident to others. In other words, your walk must match your talk, because people will be watching. Consistency of life and words means that we will always be ready to give a defense. (See Word Study, p. 20.) The word translated be ready is actually an adjective that simply describes a state of preparedness. The idea appears to be that sound Christian belief coupled with a genuine Christian lifestyle prepares every Christian for the natural opportunities to make the case for faith. No doubt, this includes a lifestyle type of evangelism, and that is good, but lifestyle evangelism must include a verbal witness and a warm encouragement to non-believers to receive the gospel. The assumption is that we should know what we believe and be able to articulate it. Believers need to understand the essentials of the gospel and be able to explain them to others. We should also notice that Peter anticipated that people would ask you for a reason for the hope that is in you. In that pagan world, the Christian lifestyle stood out starkly. Christians were different, and should be today. The real question, however, concerns not why we live differently, but why we have hope. People are truly looking for hope. In the first century, traditional Roman religion failed to meet people s deepest needs. Gods and goddesses were usually depicted as uninterested in the affairs of normal people. Into this spiritual vacuum came Christianity with its call to a higher life, its promise of a loving God, and the offer of grace. People would have wanted to know about this new religion. People still want to know today. Our world faces the same types of spiritual and moral challenges of the first century. We live in an unbelieving world that sometimes makes us want to throw up our hands in despair. This 17 WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 5

18 situation actually calls for us to redouble our efforts. People will ask. Their needs have not changed. The truth of the gospel can and must be defended in an unbelieving world. The defense of the gospel must be accompanied by meekness and fear, or gentleness and respect. The first word has the meaning of restraint, or not loudly claiming one s rights and privileges. The second word indicates in this context reverence toward God and in a secondary sense, sensitivity to others. Together these words remind us that we can never argue someone into the kingdom. An argumentative or belligerent approach risks making a hundred rebels for every convert. An angry or defensive Christian is not very attractive! Our goal in apologetics is to respond lovingly to someone who asks about or questions our hope in God. Peter s exhortation to keep your conscience clear is a further call to live under the lordship of Christ. Bad behavior undermines a Christian s witness, but the message here is even more dire. Christians in that day would be accused of impiety or even treason. A pure life would be their best defense and put to shame their accusers. We might not yet face formal persecution in our country, but Christians must never give a foothold for the accusation of hypocrisy by immoral lifestyles. The Boy Scout motto is Be Prepared. How prepared are you to defend your faith and beliefs in Christ? Mark the point on the scale below that best represents your present state of preparedness, where Scout means you ve joined the ranks but have only begun to learn to be prepared and Eagle means you are prepared for most situations. Scout Tenderfoot Second Class First Class Star Life Eagle What will you do to advance to the next rank? 2. Mind-set Number Two: Know Your Audience (Acts 21:40 22:3) The events described in this passage occurred after Paul s arrest in the temple complex. A mob was beating him, and if not for the intervention of the Roman guards he likely would have been killed. As the guards were hustling Paul up the steps to the Roman fortress of Antonia built against the northwest wall of the temple area, Paul asked for, and was granted, an opportunity to speak to the crowd. Paul was a highly educated man, and made his plea to the commander of the troops in Greek (21:37). When he addressed the crowd, however, he spoke in the Hebrew language. This point of contact with the Jewish mob was extremely important. The riot against Paul began because of accusations that he was undermining Jewish law and tradition, and that he had brought Greeks into the temple, thus profaning it (v. 28). They viewed Paul as a troublemaking outsider. To hear him speak in the Hebrew language would have at least given them a moment s pause. This one they considered a Greek outsider was suddenly addressing them fluently in their own native tongue. Perhaps he was not such an outsider after all. Read the article Purification and Defilement in the Fall 2010 issue of Biblical Illustrator or on the Fall 2010 Biblical Illustrator Plus (CD-ROM). He addressed them as brothers and fathers, terms that reflected his kinship with them and his great respect for the elders among them. Even though they had beaten him and would have killed him, he sought to establish common ground. He was one of them. Having initially established a relationship with them, he appealed to them to hear his defense, the same word used in 1 Peter 3:15. Paul was about to make an explanation or defense of his beliefs. The effect of his speaking in their language was immediate. Their initial quiet most likely came from the threat of Roman soldiers, but after the surprising use of Hebrew they became even quieter. Paul cited several important points of contact with the crowd. Each one was highly significant. He was a Jewish man. Some people in the crowd likely knew this, but others did not. Even the commander of the Roman contingent initially thought he was an Egyptian rabble rouser (21:38). Paul was not an outsider. He was one of them. The city of his birth, Tarsus, lay in the Roman province of Cilicia [sih LISH ih uh], in southern, modern-day Turkey, and likely had a considerable Jewish population. More significantly, Paul had been brought up in this city, that is, Jerusalem. We do not know his age at the time, but apparently as a youngster Paul moved to Jerusalem and was raised there. Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, The Fortress Antonia (Spring 1989) and Tarsus (Fall 1991), relate to this session and can be found on the Fall 2010 Biblical Illustrator Plus (CD-ROM). A natural part of his upbringing included being educated according to the strict view of the patriarchal law. The reference to the law specifically included the first five books 18 Life Focus Leader Guide

19 of the Bible, or the Torah, the most precious of Hebrew Scriptures. His mention of Gamaliel [guh MAY lih uhl] was highly significant. He was an eminent and deeply respected Jewish scholar, leading member of the Sanhedrin, and trainer of many disciples. Paul s educational pedigree was beyond question. All taken together, Paul had demonstrated that he was zealous for God just as they were. He was no opportunistic interloper. He was one of them. The purpose for reviewing his background was to establish points of contact with the crowd. His ultimate purpose was to demonstrate that if he could make the transition to faith in Christ, then they could as well. Making a case for Christ should never be bound to only the right time and audience. We should be prepared to share our faith any time the Spirit moves us. However, this episode in Paul s life certainly reveals an important strategy. Our words are most likely to be heard by ears that are similar to ours. Many people may hold some notion that Christian faith is either beyond them or belongs to people who are strange and different. Do not underestimate the prejudices people retain about Christianity. To see a person like themselves, sharing their background, perhaps even their heritage, is particularly effective. We should be especially sensitive to identify points of commonality between ourselves and those with whom we seek to share our faith. Look for opportunities to establish and deepen relationships with the people who are around you right now. The Great Commission means not only going to distant lands, but making your case as you go about daily business. May God awaken us to opportunities to share the hope in us! Review the points of contact Paul made in these verses, then think of the unbelievers you are around most. What do you think would be the three most significant points of contact you could make with them in an effort to tell them about Jesus? 3. Mind-set Number Three: Tell What You Know (Acts 22:4-10) Paul s personal contact with the mob was even deeper because at one time he persecuted this Way to the death. Earlier in his life he shared with them a personal loathing of Christianity so intense that he was putting both men and women in jail. The Sanhedrin, or the whole council of elders, had approved and could confirm his contentions. He had been a persecutor of the church, and in fact at Week of September 5, 2010 the point of his conversion was traveling to Damascus to continue his efforts to eradicate this perceived threat to the Jewish religion. The effect of this part of his personal testimony must have been startling. Under slightly different circumstances, Paul could have been among the very mob he was addressing, and seeking to attack a follower of the Way. What follows is Paul s recounting how he met Jesus and the change resulting from that meeting. The points of the narrative speak for themselves and need little or no explanation. The story is self-evident. What is vitally important for our study is the pattern it represents and how Paul demonstrated that pattern in this passage. He illustrated the principles we studied in 1 Peter 3: Making your case for faith involves four distinct points: what your life was like before you became a Christian, how you came to learn about Christ, how and when you trusted Him, and what your life has been like since you became a Christian. Paul had already broadly established his life previous to Christian faith. The crowd could have identified with him fully. We have addressed this in the previous section. What was your life like before you became a Christian? I have always thought this was one of the weakest parts of my personal testimony. I was 9 years old when I became a Christian, and frankly cannot recall a time in my life when I did not know about God, who Jesus was, or the real meaning of Christmas and Easter. My parents took me to church the second Sunday of my life. I was not a carousing and trouble-making 8-year-old! However, mild as such a testimony might be, it does establish the fact that there was a time when I was not a Christian. It sets up the next part of making my case. There was a time when I had to make a decision about what I knew concerning Jesus. Paul s specific confrontation with Christ occurred as he was traveling near Damascus. Jesus spoke to him directly, and challenged his life. A great deal of speculation surrounds how much Paul had considered the claims of Christianity prior to his conversion. No doubt, he was familiar with the faith of these Christians he persecuted. Had their devotion to Jesus caused him to reflect? Probably. Most people do not go from dead set against to devoted follower instantaneously. How did you come to learn about Christ? My personal example involves being in church and Sunday School, and being led by a pastor, teachers, and children s choir directors. They all had a hand in helping me learn the story and the facts. Most importantly, I had Christian parents who guided and modeled the Christian faith for me. Paul s specific response to Christ was to ask, What shall I do, Lord? The use of Lord indicates that Paul submitted to Christ, and was in the process then of sanctifying the 19