Getting Deeper: Discussion and Activities

Getting Deeper: Discussion and Activities

Getting Deeper: Discussion and Activities 1 Introduction Key verse to memorize: 1 Peter 3:15 1. Read 1 Peter 3:15 together again. Explain the significance of the phrases, be ready to give an answer to every man and with meekness and fear. Why are these important? 2. Contemplate some of the most significant changes in our society over the past fifty years. In what ways do these changes impact our evangelism today? 3. What are some of the toughest questions or difficult issues that you or someone you know have had about God or Christianity. Can answers be found to these? (You might want to make a list and attempt to answer them as we complete this study, or at the end of the course.) 4. Imagine if you had been born in Saudi Arabia. Chances are very good that you would be a Muslim today. What if you had been born into a Mormon, or Satanic cult? What if both of your parents were in one of these cults. Is it wise to accept a belief/religion just because you have been raised that way? Should you consider the evidences and reasons for your beliefs. Does this apply to Christianity as well? Why is this important? 1 These discussion questions and activities are from the author or adapted from Ryan P. Snuffer, Truth In Focus (Longwood, Florida: Xulon Press, 2005). 2

5. Homework!: Notice that the 12 points are in a logical progression. The idea is that, in evangelism, you can take a person from an anti-christian worldview to one that is ready to embrace the gospel. Begin memorizing the 12 points. Though it may seem difficult, it will not only make this study easier, it will help you apply everything you are learning in actual evangelistic encounters. Point 1: The truth about reality is knowable Key verse to memorize: John 14:6 1. As we have discovered, all truth is absolute, because by very definition, truth is narrow. However, keep in mind that not all truth claims are true. A lie is absolutely false. There is a huge difference between a truth claim and something that can be proven true. Nevertheless, many people believe in relative truth. Examine the following absolute truth statements that someone could misunderstand as relative truth. Why are they still absolute truth claims? (Hint- Who is making the statement, and does he expect everyone to have the same opinion?) A. That was a great movie I saw last night B. It is cold in here C. That restaurant has the best steaks in town (If the person making the statement is being honest, then it is absolutely true concerning his opinion. For example, if I felt cold on June 23, 2008, then it is absolutely true for everyone, everywhere that I felt cold then.) 2. If it can be proven that there is even one absolute in the universe, the worldview of the atheist or pantheist self-destructs. How is this so? 3. What are some issues and topics where you have heard people make the claim that truth is relative? Why do you think this is so common? 3

Point 2: The opposite of true is false Key verse to memorize: 1 John 2:21 1. Practice writing out the opposite of each of the following statements. The point is to recognize how the typed statement and its opposite cannot both be true at the same time, and in the same sense. A. The light is on B. God does not exist C. There is no matter or physical substance, everything is spiritual. D. The Bible is the Word of God E. Jesus is the only way to Heaven 2. Oprah Winfrey and her followers in the New Age Movement (as well as many other religions and cults) claim that all roads lead to heaven, and that it does not matter what religion you are Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, etc. Why is this teaching completely ludicrous, and not true? In spite of its illogic, why do so many people believe this? Point 3: It is true that The Theistic God exists The Cosmological Argument Key verses to memorize: Romans 1:19-20 1. Atheism argues that you can t believe in something you can t recognize with the five senses. Are there things that virtually all reasonable people believe in, outside of the five senses? (Discuss these possibilities.) 4

2. Why is important to recognize a First Cause. Why is this concept a problem and a stumbling block for the atheistic viewpoint? 3. Read the first two chapter of Genesis. Count how many times the law of cause and effect takes place. List a few examples: a. b. c. d. The Teleological Argument Key verse to memorize: Psalm 19:1 1. Design in the universe implies that God had a purpose in mind. How can the teleological argument help humans realize their importance to God? 2. Read the full section of Acts 17:16-34 together. What were some of the ways Paul evangelized these Epicurean and Stoic philosophers? Are any surprising? Why? 3. Homework: There is an plethora of evidence of design throughout the universe and even in nature. This week, observe some of these things and come up with at least one example of complex design (other than the ones mentioned in this study) that points to an intelligent designer. 5

The Moral Argument Key verses to memorize: Romans 2:14-15 1. What might be some examples that all people believe in absolute morality, based on the reactions? 2. What is a good definition of evil? Does the reality of evil support the idea of atheism or theism? Why? 3. Of the several reasons mentioned in answer to the question, If God exists, why does He allow evil?, which do you believe would be the most convincing to a non-believer? 4. List three world events that have occurred within the past few years that are clearly related to evil or sin. Next to each event, write out some ways in which God may have used this event for an ultimate good. a. b. c. 5. Homework: Study your Bible this week and look up some verses that clearly state that God is a perfect, loving, and good God. Mediate on these, and perhaps share them with the class. Point 4: If God exists, then miracles are possible Key verse to memorize: Acts 2:22 1. Many skeptics attempt to propose naturalistic explanations for the miracles recorded in the Bible. For example, they say the feeding of the five thousand was an example of everyone sharing his or her food with one another. Another example was that parting of the Red Sea was the result of a very powerful east wind called wind setdown (which is validated by 6

the Bible, itself). A final example would be that the burning bush was caused by a volcanic vent that opened up under the bush. Are these explanations plausible? Do they contradict the biblical account? 2. Make a list of some of the miracles of the Bible that could have no natural explanation. Point 5: Miracles can be used to confirm a message from God Key verse to memorize: Hebrews 2:3-4 1. Does it seem like there not as many miracles taking place today as in the Bible days? If so, why? If not, why does it seem that way? Though we can agree that God can do miracles when He wants to, are there reasons why God would not allow miracles to take place (at times)? Does faith have anything to do with at least some instances? 2. Have you ever witnessed a miracle? Describe examples of any personal experiences in which you believe God has intervened miraculously in your life. How is this encouraging to your faith? 3. How do miracles support the gospel of salvation? 7

Point 6: The New Testament is historically reliable Question 1: How do we know we have accurate copies of the originals? Key verse to memorize: 2 Peter 1:16 1. Why is it important to demonstrate the reliability of the New Testament? 2. Since we know that God exists and can perform miracles, would it be very difficult for God to keep His Word intact and safe? What have been some examples in History that demonstrated effort to destroy God s Word. Were they successful? How can this truth help us witness to someone? Question 2: How do we know the original N.T. is fact, not fiction? Key verse to memorize: 2 Peter 1:20-21 1. Read Luke 1:1-3 together. Describe the circumstances of Luke s gospel account and the method he used to gather his information. Why is his account reliable? 2. Since miracles are possible, how did God miraculously use the Holy Spirit to insure that no mistakes would enter in the final original text of Scripture? 3. Briefly read over the first three chapters of Luke. Record all the times Luke records people s names, places, dates, and events. (This could be done as a homework assignment, and shared with the class.) 8

4. Optional Homework Assmt.: Get together with a small group (family, friends, etc.) and watch a segment of a movie or television show. Have everyone record the details of the story. Have one leader collect the records and photocopy them. (If you have a large group, you might want to chose about four.) Have everyone review the accounts together and see if the accounts compliment each other. Together, they should result in a more complete account. Emphasize that though the accounts differ, they are not contradictory, but complimentary. Point 7: The New Testament says Jesus claimed to be God Key verse to memorize: John 8:58 1. How important to Christianity is the doctrine of the deity of Christ? Is it essential? Does one have to know about it and believe in order to be saved? If one is aware of it, can one deny it and still be saved? Can we fully understand it? If we can t, then why should we believe it? 2. Read 2 Corinthians 11:1-4. What is the significance of these verses as it pertains to apologetics and specifically, the deity of Christ? 3. Homework: Besides the famous I AM statement in John 8:58, Jesus made several more I AM statements of equal significance. Next to each following example, write what is the significance? Perhaps write what is important as it relates to you personally. If you have any dictionaries, commentaries, study aids, etc., these could be helpful in determining some of the Old Testament and Jewish symbolism. (If needed, use a separate sheet of paper.) a. John 6:35: I am the bread of life. b. John 8:12: I am the light of the world. (see Psalm 27:1) 9

c. John 10:9: I am the bread of life. d. John 10:10: I am the door of the sheep. (see Psalm 23:1) e. John 10:11: I am the resurrection and the life. f. John 14:6: I am the way, the truth, and the life. g. John 15:1: I am the true vine. Point 8: Jesus claim to be God was miraculously confirmed His fulfillment of prophecies about Himself/His sinless and miraculous life Key verse to memorize: Isaiah 53:9 1. Why is fulfilled biblical prophecy important? 2. Study Deuteronomy 18:20-22 and 13:1-3. What do these two sections of Scripture teach us about discerning true prophets of God? Though there have been many people that have claimed to be prophets, in what ways do you think some of these prophets might have deceived people into thinking they are legitimate? 10

Jesus predicted and accomplished His resurrection Key verse to memorize: John 2:19 1. Some people believe that Christ rose from the grave, but that He just rose spiritually, not physically. Why is it important that Jesus rose physically? How important is the resurrection to our Christian faith? 2. Think about the reality of the resurrection. What is something about the resurrection that you truly look forward to. What about it gives you hope? Point 9: Therefore, Jesus is God Point 10: Whatever Jesus (who is God) teaches is true Point 11: Jesus taught the Bible is the Word of God Point 12: Therefore, it is true that the Bible is the Word of God (and everything opposed to it is false) (see Point 2) Key verse to remember: 2 Timothy 3:16 1. Today, we live in a world of the following: a. Moral Relativism: The belief that says truth is not objective or absolute, but rather right and wrong can change from time to time, culture to culture, and person to person. b. Pluralism: The view that regards all religions as equally valid. c. Tolerance: A term related to political correctness, and does not go against different viewpoints about morality and religion. How are these views inconsistent with reality, logic, reason, and evidence? Where have you seen these words used recently? 11

2. Though all evidence proves that Christianity is the only true religion, how can these lead some Christians to become prideful? What should Christians keep in mind when dealing with those that are lost, in need of the truth and salvation? Brainstorm about ways in which we can reach the lost. 3. Final class activity: Role Play. Practice having different people from the class pretend to be an atheist, Muslim, New Ager, Post-modern, Mormon, etc. Have others practice defending Christianity and sharing the gospel of salvation in meekness and truth. Try discern at which of the 12 points would you begin witnessing to them and continue on. 4. End of course field trip: Take a witnessing field trip together as a group. Put everything you have learned into practice and share your faith- for real! 12