Christian Apologetics Course Session #2 September 4, 15:00-16:30

Christian Apologetics Course Session #2 September 4, 15:00-16:30 Teacher: Mr. Darryl Record, MA Christian Apologetics

Golden Rule of Evangelism Mark 1:17 Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people" How do you catch fish? How do you catch people?

Golden Rule of Evangelism Only 1 Gospel Message Galatians 1:8 Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.

Golden Rule of Evangelism According to this passage, should Christians change or leave out parts of the Gospel Message that we don t feel comfortable with or like? Who is the source of the Gospel? Did the Apostles invent the Gospel?

Golden Rule of Evangelism 1 Corinthians 15: 17-19 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

Golden Rule of Evangelism

Golden Rule of Evangelism Only 1 Gospel Many Different Evangelism Methods for Communicating the Gospel

Golden Rule of Evangelism There are many ways/methods to evangelism. Evangelism is: communicating the Gospel. Evangelistic Methods communicate the Gospel but the are not the Gospel them selves. Example : The Four Spiritual Laws (Contain the Gospel) but they are not the Gospel.

Golden Rule of Evangelism "If the only tool you have is a hammer, you will see every problem as a nail." Abraham Maslow

Golden Rule of Evangelism Which tool should you use to change a light bulb?

Golden Rule of Evangelism Luke 6:31 NASB "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. Not a Method-A Mindset

Golden Rule of Evangelism 1Cr 9:19-23 NLT Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.

Golden Rule of Evangelism When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Golden Rule of Evangelism The Golden Rule of Evangelism: What would it take to convert to your unsaved friend s religion? Work backwards.

Class Activity Read and Compare Peter s Sermon at Pentecost Acts 2:14-41 Paul s Mar s Hill Sermon Acts 17:16-34 1. Describe the spiritual/religious background of the audiences? 2. Compare and contrast the key ideas of each sermon.

Golden Rule of Evangelism Imagine that Christianity is NOT TRUE. What information/evidence would you need to convert to some other religion or worldview? Atheism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, Universalism/Relativism.

Golden Rule of Evangelism The Golden Rule of Evangelism is: Think about what information and evidence your non-christian friend would have to give you to persuade you to leave Christianity and convert to their religion or worldview. Then, work backwards.

Golden Rule of Evangelism Now work backwards. In order to effectively communicate the Gospel to my friend I need to tell/show them that :

Golden Rule of Evangelism Atheism: 1. God exists and created the universe and life. 2. The evidence for evolution is weak. 3. The evidence for the Bible is strong. 4. The evidence for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is strong. 5. Christianity explains reality best. 6. Creation to Cross 7. My Testimony

Golden Rule of Evangelism Judaism (Jewish Religion) The Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) prophecies point to Jesus as the Messiah. The New Testament Accounts of Jesus are historically accurate. Jesus claimed to be God-Man and the Messiah and confirmed it by resurrection. Law vs. Grace. My Testimony/Testimony of Messianic Jews.

Golden Rule of Evangelism Atheism Buddhism Islam Judaism Unsaved in Church Before Salvation? Hinduism New Age Spirits/gods Creation 1 God Some Scripture All Scripture Jesus Acts 17 Greek-Style Evangelism Acts 2 Jewish-Style Evangelism Salvation Mormonism etc.

God s Job John 12: 32-33 NLT And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself. He said this to indicate how he was going to die.

Golden Rule of Evangelism Atheism Buddhism Islam Judaism Unsaved in Church Before Salvation? Hinduism New Age Spirits/gods Creation 1 God Some Scripture All Scripture Jesus Acts 17 Greek-Style Evangelism Acts 2 Jewish-Style Evangelism Salvation Mormonism etc.

Satanic/Demonic Opposition 2 Corinthians 4:3 NLT Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

Spiritual Warfare 1 John 4:4 NLT But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Before Salvation Atheism Buddhism Islam Judaism Unsaved in Church Mormonism etc. Hinduism New Age Salvation? Spirits/gods Creation 1 God Some Scripture All Scripture Jesus Acts 17 Greek-Style Evangelism Acts 2 Jewish-Style Evangelism

Christians Roles 1. Prayer 2. Lifestyle 3. Evidence 4. Evangelism

Christians Roles Ephesians 6:11-20 NLT Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Christians Role Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

1. Prayer

Before Salvation Salvation Atheism Buddhism Islam Judaism Unsaved in Church etc. Hinduism New Age Mormonism Prayer Spirits/gods Creation 1 God Some Scripture All Scripture Jesus Acts 17 Greek-Style Evangelism Acts 2 Jewish-Style Evangelism

Obstacles to Faith 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human

Obstacles to Faith reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Destroy Obstacles Life is Better Without God

Clear the Road Matthew 3:1-3 NLT In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, "He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the LORD's coming Clear the road for him'"

John the Baptist and Christians Today John the Baptist Cleared the Road Before Jesus Christians Today Clear the Road Back to Jesus

Prepare the Soil Matthew 13:6-9 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted.

Prepare the Soil

Be a Faithful Farmer 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

Atheism Buddhism Islam Judaism Unsaved in Church Before Salvation? Prayer Hinduism New Age Spirits/gods Creation 1 God Some Scripture All Scripture Jesus Acts 17 Greek-Style Evangelism Acts 2 Jewish-Style Evangelism Salvation Mormonism etc.