Apologetics is a limited preparation event in which the

speaker is given four minutes to prepare a six-minute speech

on a topic related to articulating his or her Christian faith.

APOLOGETICS
SPECIFIC EVENT RULES
Goal: The goal of Apologetics is to motivate students to study the core issues of their Christian faith and be
prepared to articulate a defense of what they believe.
Time: 4-minute preparation time; 6-minute maximum speaking time; no minimum time. There is no official
penalty for time, and judges may use discretion when weighing a speakers time into their ranking. Unused
preparation time may not be added to the speaking time.
Rules: All General Individual Event Rules and Script Submission Rules and Guidelines must be followed,
along with the specific event rules below.
1. The speech must be an original work, prepared from notes, quotations, and/or verses from the Bible.
The speaker is not required to present the gospel message during his speech.
2. Topics must be taken from those available and posted on the NCFCA website. Each rounds topics
must consist of all of the definitions, questions, and statements from a single category. At the National
Championship, any round may consist of any combination. The speaker must speak on one of the
topics drawn.
3. Preparation time begins when the speaker draws a topic slip. The speaker will draw his topic slip,
which will have two choices on it, and choose one of the two to speak on.
4. File boxes and note cards may not be shared at the tournament.
5. The speaker may come into the event with as much preparation, research, and topic organization as he
desires.
6. During prep time, the speaker may use only a Bible and previously prepared note cards from his file
box(es), and may write notes on additional note cards. No other materials, such as reference books,
may be brought into the prep area of the competition room.
7. The size of previously prepared note cards and additional note cards must be 5 x 6 or smaller.
8. Computers, phones, or other electronic devices may not be used.
9. Outside sources used must be mentioned in the verbal delivery of the speech.
10. During his presentation, the speaker may only hold the chosen topic paper, the note cards from his file
box(es), and note cards written during prep time.
NCFCA Apologetics Rules Revised August 2015

11. The speaker is not allowed to hold his Bible during the presentation.
12. The speaker must state the chosen topic early in the speech. A one rank penalty is required for failure
to do so.
13. The chosen topic must be the central theme of the speech and not peripheral to it. A one rank penalty
is required for failure to adhere to the chosen topic.
14. Only feet are permitted to touch the floor at any time.

NCFCA Apologetics Rules Revised August 2015