Fearless Conversations New

Fearless
Conversations
Learn to Share Your Story With Condence
Jeff Kennedy / EssentiaLife Resources / Release Date June, 2011
2011 by Jeff Kennedy. All Rights Reserved. Essentialifepress.com Eastpoint Church Discipleship Resources: The Essential Life Curriculum Series 15303 E. Sprague Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99037
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Fearless Conversations
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Week 1 Course Orientation Go To Africa! Mind Altering Religion.. An Irrepressible Community A Little Backstory Scared Sheepless...... 4
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Part 1: The Evidence for Christianity

Week 2 Foundations of Christian Apologetics and Philosophy An Argument For Arguments Answering Materialism.. No God or Any? Answering Pluralism... One Way or Many? Answering Skeptics of Scripture. Historical Reliability or Unhistorical Liability? Answering the Cults.... Is Jesus God or a Guru? 10
Week 3
20
Week 4
28
Week 5:
30
Week 6:
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Part 2: Incarnational Apologetics

Week 7: Making the Right Call. Come and See, Come and Reason, Come and Follow The Art and Science of a Good Conversation Our Story, His Story, Your Story 38
Week 8:
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Appendix Bibliography..
52 59
Incarnational Evangelism Course by Jeff Kennedy
Week 1
Introduction
Well call him Randal. During his junior year in college, Randall somehow managed to juggle a part-time job in youth ministry, a full academic load at a Christian University, and a busy social life on campus. All-night cramming sessions and writing deadlines are a rite of passage that every student must endure. But by the end of the semester, Randall had hit the wall. His breaking point came the night before nals when he was jarred from his sleep by a noise coming up through his oor. He buried his head in his pillow hoping the noise would just go away. But it didnt. With each passing minute the commotion beneath his room grew louder and louder. Dizzy with exhaustion, he slipped out of his covers and collapsed beside his bed. He could hear the sound of a muzzled prayer reverberating through the oor joists Randall identied the noise as the unintelligible chatter of a fellow student who was seeking Gods will. His room just happened to be located above the prayer chapel in that college dormitory, and only occasionally did he lose sleep as some desperate soul pleaded his case to an unseen God at an ungodly hour. But this night was the worst possible night for someone to conduct such a raucous all-night prayer vigil. HELP ME GOD! Came the despairing petition from below. Help me to KNOW your will. Speak to me and tell me WHERE to go, Oh God! Where do you want me to serve you? I NEED YOU TO SPEAK TO ME LORD! Randall detected an unrelenting quality in the fellow students prayer. He knew that if God didnt answer the desperate student soon, hed never make it through his nals the following day. He ran through a list of options as his exhausted mind began to hatch a truly evil plan. He pitched himself forward touching his forehead to the carpet. He hesitated slightly, trying to imagine the potential ramications of the action he was about to take. But all possible objections were being drowned out by the incessant pleading from below. Then he cupped his hands around his mouth and with the loudest baritone voice that he could summon, he yelled through the oor,
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MY SON! GO - TO - AFRICA! The praying stopped. Hed done it! His fellow student obviously got the message and left the prayer room immediately. Randall got back into bed, slept soundly, and aced his nal the following morning. He spent the summer fully engaged in rewarding service among the teens in his youth group. He completely forgot about the incident. When he returned to school the next fall, he was shocked to discover that the midnight prayer warrior whod disturbed his sleep a few months earlier had moved to Africa to become a missionary. MIND-ALTERING RELIGION As the Pastor of Discipleship, I hear lots of people voice their struggle over what they are called to do. We imagine that God has some specic blueprint for our lives. We prayerfully wait for a sign while we throw out a eece and if need be, well even cast our lots (whatever any of that means). Wed like to hear a voice booming through the ceiling, but well settle for a mystical vision if need be. But, I want to submit that this is not at all how the writers of the New Testament approached the subject of our productivity in the Kingdom. It may surprise you to learn that the only place in Scripture that explicitly addresses the notion of Gods will for my life is an intensely practical passage written by the Apostle Paul. No mystical signs or voices needed. Just the everyday stuff of obedient living and transformed thinking. This may not sound very spiritual but it is Pauls advice for discovering the Gods plan for us as a redeemed community. Listen to Pauls words in Romans chapter twelve: Romans 12:1-3 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of Godwhat is good and acceptable and perfect. (NRSV) There is no question that there is a pattern of living that is inherently at odds with our being able to discern Gods will for the church. Paul gives us several keys to discovering that will in this passage: 1. We offer our body-life to God, which is our reasonable act of worship (Rom 12:1). This is called consecration. We set ourselves apart to God as if we were a living sacrice. Instead of the sensuous and self-indulgent behavior that characterizes the culture around us, we are to live in moral purity with self-restraint. Paul lifts this imagery of separation through sacricial rites from his Jewish background. This critical symbol of Old Testament religion has now been realized and radicalized in the person of Jesus.
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2. We refuse to harmonize our behavior and thoughts with the pattern of this world (Rom 12:2a). What is the pattern of this world? At the beginning of Romans, Paul identies that we are all born into the same hopeless template: The human race suppresses the knowledge of the truth through evil behavior (Rom 1:18). We have failed to acknowledge what should be obvious from creation: God is a transcendent being of unimaginable power (Rom 1:19). Refusing to acknowledge Him, we then fail to glorify and appreciate God resulting in futile thinking (Rom 1:20). We then replace God with unworthy, nite idols (Rom 1:22-23). The result of all this is being given over to a depraved mind which produces every imaginable kind of evil and sin (Rom1:25-30). The end-game for this trajectory in life is death (Rom 1:32). 3. Instead of conforming to the above pattern of humanity, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom 12:2b). Paul taught that the key to resisting this pattern of depravity was a transformed mind. This means our minds need to be altered (in a godly sense). We are to change our minds and adopt a new kind of thought-life. This new life of the mind is characterized by: Embracing the truth instead suppressing it, beginning with a response of faith and repentance (Rom 3:23ff.). Acknowledging the obvious divinity and power of God through creation. Glorifying and thanking him for his provision. Putting God in his rightful place as the creator and sustainer of all things. Our minds are then renewed and we are set on a path to life instead of death. Notice, that this is the reverse of the Romans 1:18-32 pattern. 4. The result is that we will be able to discern Gods will, which is good, pleasing, and perfect (Rom 12:2c). So, what is the will of God? Paul goes on to say that Gods will is for us to engage in Spirit-gifted ministry to each other (12:3-8). This mutually benecial ministry takes place in the atmosphere of self-less love (12:9-21) Summary: Paul taught that the way in which we reject the godless pattern of this world is through obedient living, renewed thinking, and deploying our Spiritual gifts in an atmosphere of mutual service and love. That is Gods will for our lives!1
This is not to say that God couldnt or wouldnt speak to us in spectacular ways. But the pattern in the book of Acts is that the NT Church obeyed Jesus directives to go into all the world rst. Jesus then guided them to specic assignments within the larger context of their obedience to his general mission.
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AN IRREPRESSIBLE COMMUNITY But, if we were only to camp out in passages like Romans twelve, then we would run the risk of practicing an ingrown version of Christianity that only focusses on the needs of insiders.2 Jesus vision for His Church was that it would be an outgoing, missional enterprise. Jesus stated very clearly that the Church would be an unstoppable force (Mt 16). Not even the power of death itself could stop the mission of the church! And what is that mission? It is to reach those who are far from God. To make disciples of all people groups by baptizing and teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded (Mt 28:19-20). Jesus authorized the Apostles to disciple the nations and they in turn have passed this responsibility on to their disciples (thats us). But why is this Jesus passion? Why does Jesus long to nd the lost sheep? A LITTLE BACKSTORY The ubiquitous theme of Scripture is that God has created a race of beings that are worth redeeming. God, in his innite wisdom, chose to create people with a supernatural aptitude to choose the good. The potential for unsolicited acts of love among these godlike creatures was so awesome that God risked the cosmos on them, against his better knowledge of their actual future choices. As a result, Gods foreknowledge of mans choice to sin prompted him to draft a rescue plan to save them. Even before mankind had a chance to sample the garden contraband (Gen. 3:15ff), God took the initiative to move in our direction rst. The rescue mission to end all rescue missions started with Gods choice of one man (Abraham), to bring forth one nation (Israel), who would bring forth one man (Jesus, the second Adam), who would bring forth a new nation comprised of all tribes and ethnicities (the Kingdom of God). All who have faith in the Messiah are saved and reconciled to God. Though God is equally the creator of all things, he does not equally love all things. He loves us. He could easily throw the rest of his handiwork to the ames, but he cannot easily throw men there. Though he owes us nothing, he spares nothing in our rescue. Now, we have been given the critical imperative to go into all the world and summon the nations to the Lordship of King Jesus. Why? Because God views the lost people of our world as harassed and helpless sheep without a shepherd. The New Testament authors charge each new generation of believers to reach those lost sheep. This also is Gods wonderful plan for our lives!
Indeed recent studies show that the church is becoming increasingly more inward and isolated from society. http:// www.barna.org/culture-articles/462-six-megathemes-emerge-from-2010?q=fear.
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SCARED SHEEPLESS Lets get real. Most of us have never shared our faith with an outsider. Though we are comfortable with the notion that church is about mutual service and ministry, the idea of sharing Jesus story of redemption can be very intimidating. This is especially the case given the inadequacy and lack of competence that most believers feel, due to a weak foundation in the faith. The number one reason why believers dont make disciples is because of fear.3 We are self-conscious of our ignorance of Scripture and our inability to answer objections that we havent prepared for. Were afraid to be labeled intolerant and judgmental. Or, were afraid that someone will bring up the doctrine of hell and we wont be able to explain it adequately. This fear is the exact opposite of what Jesus promised his disciples. He told them, You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnessess (Acts 1:8). Again, Paul afrmed this when he wrote to Timothy, For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a self-disciplined mind (2 Tim 1:7). Yet, I dare say that most of us would struggle to nd evidence of this power that Jesus and Paul spoke of. The result of this tepid version of American Christianity is that the church is shrinking. Consider these facts: 195 Million Americans are unchurched. Over half of all American churches did not add one new member through conversion growth last year. In 1900 there were 27 churches for every 10,000 people. In 1950 there were 17 churches for every 10,000 people. In 2004 there were 10 churches for every 10,000 people. North America is the only continent where the church is not growing. Our Christian nation leads the world in every category of violent and domestic crime. What was once the largest sending nation of missionaries in the world, is now the 13th largest receiving nation for the Gospel.4
Dr. David Wheeler states, Just 10 years ago, every major denomination would have been compelled to send missionaries to a nation like this.4 Are you getting the picture yet? The reason why the church is in such a downward pattern is because often we have fail to incorporate both aspects of Jesus and Pauls vision for the church. We are called to be an obedient, informed, self-disciplined people - a mutually supportive family, ministering to each other through Spiritual
3 4
http://www.barna.org/culture-articles/462-six-megathemes-emerge-from-2010?q=fear. Accessed May 22, 2011. David Wheeler, Incarnational Apologetics Lecture.
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gifts in an atmosphere of seless love (Rom 12). And, we have a God-given mandate to boldly make disciples of our community and the nations (Mt 16; 28:19). WELCOME TO FEARLESS CONVERSATIONS Fearless Conversations is a course designed to equip the believer with the knowledge and skills needed to accomplish the two purposes revealed above. In weeks one and two, well discuss the foundations of Christian apologetics and philosophy. We want to help you understand why its important to give a reasoned response to friends, neighbors, and skeptics. We want to tell you what apologetics is and why you should care about it. In weeks three through six, well explore the best answers for common objections to the faith. We focus on these objections because we are commanded in scripture to be ready to defend our hope. This is a natural place to start, given that most believers cite their lack of competence in answering objections as the primary reason for not sharing their story. In weeks seven through nine, well learn the art and science of incarnational apologetics. Though it is true that every presentation of the Gospel is an argument that challenges our false beliefs and assumptions, it is also true that the best way for the Spirit to work in peoples lives is through lifestyle evangelism. In this section, youll be encouraged to become familiar with the larger narrative of redemption (a Salvation-historical perspective), and youll have the opportunity to craft a short back pocket testimony that can be easily memorized. Lastly, we want to equip you with possible avenues of service in the body of Christ and to our community. Though we will walk you through a spiritual gifts assessment tool, we believe that the best way to discover your God-given gifts is to actually start serving somewhere. This is a critical piece of the course because it is in the context of service that we nd opportunities to strengthen the faith of others and to share our faith with outsiders. CONCLUSION Im glad youve decided to take this bold step and become grounded in the evidence of Christianity, and to learn the conversational and relational skills needed to share your faith with others. It is my prayer that you will be strengthened and equipped to these ends. Jeff Kennedy Pastor of Discipleship Training Eastpoint Church
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Foundations of Christian Apologetics
a pol o get ics

{uh-pol-uh-jet-iks}
That branch of Theology concerned with a rational defense of the Faith.
I. WHAT IS APOLOGETICS? A. Denition: Apologetics come from the Greek word apologia meaning to offer a defense through the systematic use of reason. 1. Christian Apologetics is a formal discipline. It is the branch of Christian Theology which seeks to provide a rational justication for the truth claims of the Christian faith. 5 Though technically apologetics and evangelism should be viewed as separate disciplines, biblically speaking the two go hand in hand and are inseparable. 2. Apologetics can be defensive or offensive.6 Though we will primarily focus on defending against objections to the faith, the apologist can also make a positive case (offense) for his faith (e.g. Paul before Festus and Agrippa in Acts 26:2). 3. Apologetics can be divided into four basic approaches (i.e. a basic taxonomy of methods): The Classical approach: Through an examination of natural theology, this approach establishes that theism (the belief in the existence of God) is the one correct worldview.7 The starting point for the classical apologist then, is not holy writ (the Scriptures) but is in the evidences and arguments that establish Gods existence independently of special revelation. The apologist appeals to evidences such as the ontological argument, the apparent design of the universe, the objectivity of moral values and duties, and the anthropic ne tuning of the cosmos etc. The Evidentialist method: The evidentialist approach is often referred to as the one step method of argumentation.8 The evidentialist method does not seek to establish a theistic worldview as the grid through which all historical and
William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, 3 ed. (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2008), 15.
5 6 7 8
Craig, Reasonable Faith, 24. Five Views on Apologetics, ed. by Steven B. Cowan (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 15. Five Views on Apologetics, 16.
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empirical data has to be interpreted (rst). They primarily argue, for example, that the historical evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus is so compelling that there must be a God to perform such an act. That is, the evidence for the miracle may justify a theistic worldview. In contrast, the classical method establishes the worldview rst, then the potential for subsequent extra-natural events. Presuppositional Apologetics: The presuppositionalist method presupposes Christian theism. That is, we should start by assuming that Christianity is true. Advocates of this method assert that the God hypothesis is not only the conclusion of our arguments, but that God provides the very conceptual framework that makes the arguments possible in the rst place. 9 This approach lands much weight on the authority of Gods self revelation in Scripture.
Reformed Epistemology: This method is perhaps the most interesting of the four, because it does not seek primarily to assert an evidence-based argument for Christianity. Instead, Reformed theory postulates that belief in God is properly basic. Belief in God, just like our belief in other entities, does not require evidence and argumentation. Thus, the believer has epistemic warrant to believe in Gods existence, even in the absence of a compelling argument to do so.10 B. Our Approach: In this course, we will be appealing primarily to the classical method while supporting it with the many intellectual gems from the other three methods. As believers, our goal is to present a cumulative case for God. We offer this brief overview of apologetics methods because we will be referring back to the best insights from each of these methods.
Five Views on Apologetics, 19.
Alvin Plantinga, Faith and Rationality: Reason and Belief in God (Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1983), 73. This is not to say that any belief is warranted, but that some beliefs are properly basic given certain circumstances. And though Gods existence is neither self-evident nor incorrigible, Plantinga points out that this criteria is somewhat arbitrary, given that there are other beliefs that are warranted yet dont t the criteria of either self-evidence or incorrigibility.
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II. AN ARGUMENT FOR ARGUMENTS {ahr-gyuh-munnt} Now that weve explored what Christian apologetics is, we A sound premise where the conclusion have to ask why we should care about any of this in the follows based on the logical rules of inference, and is supported by evidence rst place. Again, weve established that fear and which supplies epistemic warrant apprehension is the primary driver behind our reluctance to for a belief. share our story. Fortunately, the writers of the New Testament anticipated the need for believers to be thoroughly grounded in a solid foundation of faith. A. Some Observations About Arguments 1. One can know the arguments without being argumentative. In fact, the New Testament writers instruct us to be kind and loving in our approach. When responding to skeptics, a snarky, arrogant disposition is entirely out of place for Jesus disciples Titus 3:1-2 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. 2 Tim 2:25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth
ar gu ment
2. We are commanded to know the arguments and to defend our faith. 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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
Jude 1:3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to Gods holy people. Hebrews 6:1 Therefore, let us leave the elementary truths about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation from acts that lead to death Phil 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my
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absence, I will know that you stand rm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.
3. Jesus constantly had to answer those who challenged his truth claims using logic, reason, and Scripture. Mat 21:24 Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things...
4. Jesus supplied convincing evidences to his disciples. Jn 14:11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. Act 1:3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
5. Paul regularly defended the Gospel in Acts. Act 14:1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. Act 17:2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures Act 17:17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. Act 18:4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Act 18:19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
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Act 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. Act 19:8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. Act 26:2 "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews.
B. Common Objections to Learning Christian Apologetics 1. People dont get argued into the faith. This is patently false - because every presentation of the Gospel is an argument against a false belief system we already hold about ourselves. Even the simplest message such as, God loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life is a direct confrontation of my false belief that God is an angry tyrant who is indifferent to my eternal status. From the above sampling of passages in Acts, it is clear that Pauls primary method of evangelization was to reason and argue his case with the Jews and the Greeks. This resulted in the conversion of many who heard him debate including those in the textile industry, synagogue rulers, ofcials, prisoners, and many others. The statement is too narrowly focussed on immediate evangelistic outcomes. The purpose of apologetics and Christian philosophy is to provide an intellectual climate where the Gospel can be heard as a credible option.11
2. We just need to love people, not argue with them. But Paul stated that we are to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15). The nature of truth is that it is intolerant of error. The nature of a loving heart is that it has the salvation of the antagonist as its supreme concern. The Gospel is by nature a counter-cultural claim that should be shared in an environment of genuine concern for the lost.
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Craig, Reasonable Faith, 19.
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3. We shouldnt rely on persuasive speech (like Paul said in Corinthians). In context, Paul is comparing the power of the Gospel message with the richly ornamented and vapid persuasion of the Greek philosophers. Yet, the book of 1 Corinthians is rife with many convincing rhetorical arguments, solid logic, and an appeal to the Corinthians to engage their minds in worship (1 Cor. 12-14). To put it bluntly, Paul is making a persuasive case to the Corinthians using many convincing theological and philosophical arguments (particularly the evidence of Jesus resurrection in 1 Cor 15:12-19).
4. But, Paul also stated that knowledge puffs up so we should avoid becoming Christian egg heads. The knowledge that Paul is refuting here is the Corinthian claim of esoteric knowledge through the delivery system of cultic activity (8:1). The context is the Corinthian practice of idolatry and their cultural esteem for mere knowledge. Paul repeatedly casts knowledge (Gk. gnosis) in a positive light, so long as it is accompanied by love - its enviable counterpart (Phil 1:9). Furthermore, in Pauls way of thinking, knowledge was the key to growth in faith and maturity in Christ. Believers grow as they are increased with, renewed by, enriched through, and lled with the knowledge of God. This godly knowledge in Christ is benecial when mutual affection and concern are our highest social priority.12
Robert Banks, Pauls Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson rev. 1994), 69.
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III. SORTING THROUGH WORLDVIEWS Believe it or not, every person in your neighborhood, your family, and on your job is a philosopher. They may not know it, but they all have an armchair philosophy on life. Their perspective on the nature of what is real, what is true, and what is benecial is what we call a worldview. A. Denition: A worldview is a set of beliefs that answer the big questions of life: 1. Who are we? What sort of beings are we? Are we purely physical or spiritual or both?
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world view
{wurld-vyoo}
Comes from the German weltshauung meaning the framework of fundamental ideas and beliefs through which to interpret the world.
2. What is the nature of reality? Is the cosmos Gods creation, or is it a uke product of purely natural and undirected processes? Is reality merely an illusion or are we actually here? 3. What is the nature of good and evil? Is there real, objective moral good, and real objective evil in the world? Or... Are these merely social conventions? Is what we think of as objective morality just an illusion produced from a mind conditioned by socio-biological factors? 4. What is the nature of truth? Is there objective truth or is all truth relative? What is the answer to the dilemma of evil and wrong in the world? What is the hope of the human species, or is there no hope? Summary: A worldview is the implicit narrative, or subconscious backstory that people view the world through. The answers to these questions color the lenses of our reality. How we respond to these questions determines what set of assumptions we approach life with.
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B. A Survey of Available Worldviews Wolrdview # 1: Materialism (a.k.a Naturalism) Materialistic philosophy maintains that existence is explainable solely in material terms, with no accounting of spirit or metaphysical consciousness. 13 Individuals who hold to this belief see no room for a transcendent being who is the creator and sustainer of all things. Lets look at some of the common objections to theism to see if they hold up. 1. Atheism: the positive assertion that there is no God. Though some atheists attempt to identify it as mere non-belief, a belief-neutral position would actually be more correctly dened as agnosticism (see below). The majority of new atheists (e.g. Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Chris Hitchens, and Dan Dennett), attempt to show that the evidence is decisively against the existence of God. Thus, the atheist maintains that God in fact does not exist, and once all the data is in, it will show that Gods existence is at the very least an inspiring myth or possibly even a dangerous delusion. Despite the record sales of books to this effect, Gallup has shown that the percentage of Americans who claim an atheistic perspective is the same as it was in the 1940s: about 10%. The vast majority of deluded people in our population apparently still believe in some kind of supreme being who is behind creation. However, it is one thing to merely believe in God, it is another thing to own that belief and live as if God actually does exist. 2. Agnosticism: the passive assertion that there is no God. This view admits ignorance and refuses to make a leap of belief until they receive convincing empirical evidence to the contrary. Though agnostics may leave the door open to the possibility of Gods existence, they do afrm that the evidence is insufcient to warrant belief. However, it is important to note that there are far fewer agnostics than there are atheists. It seems that once a person makes the commitment to non-belief, they are inexorably lead to a defense of that non-belief, which results in a positive afrmation of Gods nonexistence. Statistically most people would consider themselves theists, nevertheless we live in a culture that is increasingly antagonistic to belief in God. Philosopher J.P. Moreland states, We are fed secular ways of thinking at our mothers knee. We are socialized into a naturalistic, atheistic, or agnostic way of seeing the world. It is the very air we breathe. Recently, the New York Times published an article claiming that the difference between Europe and America is that Europe embraces secularism and America embraces religion. The article recommends that America follow in Europes steps. Secularizing factors such as this pelt us daily, and they are so widespread and frequent that they are hardly noticed.14
13 14
J.P. Moreland, The God Question: An Invitation to a Life of Meaning (Eugene: Harvest House, 2009), 40-41. Moreland, The God Question, 33-34.
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Worldview #2: Religious Pluralism (a.k.a Postmodernism) Pluralism is the belief that all faith systems, and all religious expressions are equally valid, and equally efcacious (it serves as an effective solution to a known problem). Pluralistic thinkers typically do not believe in objective moral values or truth, and would answer the big question of what is truth? by saying that YOUR truth is THE truth. There are two or three major views under the heading of pluralism:
1. Radical Pluralism: That the radical pluralist would proclaim Your truth is THE truth would be an understatement. 15 This view not only presents religious truth as relative, but even views scientic observations about the natural world to be subjective. This radical form of relativism doesnt conne its perspective to religious views only. 2. Generic Pluralism: There are some in the popular consciousness today (e.g. Oprah and Deepak Chopra), who peddle a kind of modied version of pluralism. Instead of afrming that all truth is relative, they would make the generic claim that most truths are relative. That is, only those religious beliefs where there are points of overlap are true. Thus, any claim of exclusivity (e.g. Christianity and Islam) is merely due to a misunderstanding of a gurus teaching (i.e. Jesus and Mohammed). On this view, the founder of a particular faith is a religious genius who has simply been misinterpreted by his well-meaning followers. This view insists that for Christians to accept religious pluralism involves the rejection of Christian absolutism, the idea that Christianity is the absolute religion, the sole vehicle of divine salvation.16 3. Selective Pluralism (a.k.a. Deep Pluralism): This view is an attempt to correct what some pluralists believe to be a genetic fallacy. That is, because some of the tenets of pluralism are obviously self-refuting (e.g. all truth is relative), then the entire system of relativism is damned by Christian exclusivists. The attempt then, is to try and move beyond mere generic or supercial pluralistic claims to a deeper reection on the truly profound areas of overlap between religions. Yet, despite the effort to cast it as something genuinely novel, it turns out to be a mere tautology (using different terms to say the same thing, which results in the conclusion being heuristically effete).
William Lane Craig, Are There Objective Truths About God? http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/News2? page=NewsArticle&id=5342, article accessed on May 20, 2011.
15 16
David R. Grifn, Deep Religious Pluralism (Louisville, Westminster John Knox Press, 2005), 5.
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Worldview #3: Theism Theism is the belief that God is a transcendent reality to the physical world. That is, in additional to the natural world that is accessible through the ve physical senses, there is at least one deity who exists independently of the sensate universe. There are several theisms one needs to consider.
1. Monotheism: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism hold this view. It is the belief that there is one transcendent God who is the creator and sustainer of the cosmos. On this view, God is not a created being who is subject to the laws of the physical universe. 2. Polytheism (not to be confused with Pantheism). Hinduism, Shintoism, Chinese folk religions, some versions of Buddhism, and neo-paganism hold to the belief in multiple (poly) gods. These gods are typically nite beings who are the product of a created order and therefore, strictly speaking, do not t the job description necessary for a transcendent God who exists independently of his creation. Atheists such as Hitchens and Dawkins will at times charge monotheists with a form of atheism (i.e. we deny the existence of other gods.) Yet this charge is without warrant because the monotheist necessarily denes god as a prime-reality (transcendence) - not a contingent being within a pantheon of deities who owe their existence and emergence to this created order. 3. Deism: Deism is the belief that there may be a deity out there somewhere. But he just created the earth, spun it like a top, and has left it running until it spins itself out. This deity has no interaction with the individual, and hasnt revealed himself in a special way through any particular religion.
Worldview # 4: Pantheism This view teaches that all is god. The reason why I dont put this worldview in the category of theism is because the net effect of this view is actually atheism. That is, if everything is God, then nothing is.
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Week 3
Answering Materialism:
No God or Any?
{nach-er-uh-liz-uh m}
A view that everything in the universe can be explained in purely natural terms. Everything that exists is either material or emerges from the material.
Nat u ral ism
In his book, The God Delusion, Biologist Richard Dawkins describes naturalism: What most atheists do believe is that although there is only one kind of stuff in the universe and it is physical, out of this stuff comes minds, beauty, emotions, moral values - in short the full gamut of phenomena that gives richness to human life. 17 Though some have tried to draw a distinction between materialism and naturalism, this distinction is, ironically, an unnatural one. Both materialism and naturalism can be traced back to the same commitment that all things owe their existence and/or emergence to the material. But, does this view of reality actually square with reality? I. Objection #1: Science and Faith are Incompatible. Answers: Science and faith are inextricably linkedScience can falsify and verify certain religious claims
God is the best explanation for why there is something rather than nothing
Faith supplies (and historical did supply) the very conceptual foundation for science to ourish
God is the best explanation for science itself
God is the best explanation for why naturalism isnt the natural inclination of the heart. 18
Though some have attempted to downplay the naturalists commitment to materialism, these attempts have not been convincing. Armstrong, and Sellars agree that global naturalism denies sets, numbers, propositions etc. But even those who accept or ignore abstract entities (e.g. Poland and McGinn) still demand that the spatio-temporal universe consists only of entities which are accessible by the hard sciences. This is what Dawkins et. al. are referring to.
17 18
http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5355
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II. Objection #2: There is insufcient evidence that God exists. Answers: There is actually compelling evidence for a minimalist case for God. This is what we refer to as Natural Theology, or being able to deduce Gods existence from the prints hes left us in the natural world. Consider the following arguments: The universe cries out for an explanation beyond itself
The universe cannot be self-existent
The only candidate that can transcend space, time, and matter is a spaceless, timeless, immaterial entity
The apparent design of the universe is evidence of actual design19
The universe appears to be anthropically ne-tuned, meaning that it is calibrated to mind-boggling tolerances, permitting the possibility of life in an otherwise hostile universe. This is the argument from the cosmological constants...
The existence of objective morality is evidence for Gods existence
19
William Dembski, Intelligent Design: The Bridge Between Science and Theology (Downers Grove: IVP, 2002), 125.
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Week 3
III. Objection #3: If all things have a creator, then who created God? Answer: This is a false dilemma because the question has a fundamental category problem. This objection forces me to choose between no God and a created God
It seems reasonable that a transcendent being would have to have a transcendent skill set
But if specied complexity is evidence of design, then this forces us to ask who designed the designer? since God himself is a complex being...
This question is based on a false a assumption. It assumes that 1) we must have an explanation of the explanation, and 2) God is a complex being - which is likely not the case. God might well be a simple being as to his constitution. We cannot confuse complex effects with complex ontology. One might be simple as to their nature, yet do complex things. We shouldnt conate the two. 20
20
Craig, Reasonable Faith, 19.
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IV. Objection #4: What about the problem of evil? Isnt the existence of evil in the world evidence that there cannot be a God? Answers: The existence of evil wouldnt prove that there is no God, it would only suggest that there might not be a good God...
God can allow certain short-term evils to accomplish long-term goods...
Some of the evil (though not all of it) is due to the choices people make (free will). In order for God to have beings who truly have choice, he must permit the possibility that some will make wrong choices and so hurt others in the process
The existence of evil is actually evidence for the existence of God. In order for the skeptic to have a conception of evil that is truly objectively evil, he would have to also have a notion of that which is truly objectively good and right
Some of those who have experienced the greatest evil are capable of the most profound compassion and good in the world. The problem of evil and suffering is typically an issue that we westerners who have it good, object to when we see the suffering of people in 3rd world countries for instance
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Week 3
V. Hasnt Darwinian Evolution made the discussion of a supernatural creator obsolete? No. Any theory about how life has developed on the planet has little or nothing to say about how life appeared in the rst place or how the universe itself suddenly came into being out of nothing
Unlike the naturalist, the theist is free to follow the evidence in whatever direction it may lead. The naturalist is conned to a purely materialistic view of origins, and can admit no other competing views into the discussion. As philosopher Alvin Plantinga has stated, For the naturalist, evolution is the only game in town. So no matter how weak the evidence, no matter how improbable evolution may be, there is simply no other choice for the philosophical materialist. This seems to be an inherently limited way to approach anything objectively
The theory of Darwinian Evolution is only one theory of evolution (and there are several theories including structuralism, cladism, punctuated equilibrium, and design theory to name a few competitors to darwinian gradualism). The specic claim that life has arisen out of purely natural and undirected processes is a theory that involves extravagant claims based on very limited instances of evolution (even if one did accept the few examples that are usually paraded). It is a massive extrapolation from 1) polyphyletic evidence (lots of observable change within species) to 2) monophyletic claims (all these species come from the same parent ancestor), and involves 3) abiogensis (the belief that living matter sprang from non-living matter). Assumptions 2 and 3 have never been observed in nature. This is a narrative that is being imposed on the available evidence
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Week 3
But isnt the Genesis story incompatible with evolution? No. The Genesis story is only incompatible with the specic Neo-Darwinian claim that life has arisen as a purely naturalistic and unguided process. The Genesis account permits all manner of interpretationsit is critical to remember that the Genesis account is not a how account but a who account
Lastly, the purpose of the Genesis account is to answer the questions of ancient cosmology, not modern scientic questionswe must be careful that we do not impose questions on an ancient text that it was not prepared to answer
VI. There are many things that are poorly designed, thus there cannot be a God because he would only create perfection. In our experience we come across man-made things all the time that lack perfection, yet we dont assume that they lack designWe cannot presume to know what optimal design would be because we are nite creatures who cant possibly anticipate all of the consequences of major design changes
If we infer to our actual experience, things that appear to be created and designed to near perfection can experience entropy - that is, things wear out.
There seems to be no good reason to accept the thesis that there are poorly designed things. This seems to involve an enormous amount of presumption on the part of the earthbound observer.
Perhaps our view of God as a cosmic mechanical engineer who has no room for messes is an incomplete view. Maybe hes also like a gardener who enjoys getting down into the soil, tilling the ground and watching his creation take shape
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Week 3
Answering Materialism
Small Group Exercise
Groups will be assigned one of the arguments to defend. Pastor Jeff will play devils advocate. You have 10 minutes to talk through your assigned argument, and then 10 minutes of crossexamination. The group can choose a spokesperson or the whole group can chime in to defend your particular argument. Group I. Objection #1: Science and Faith are Incompatible. Interact with the various answers to this objection. What do you feel is the strongest answer? Which answer do you feel is the weakest or the most difcult to understand? If someone raised this objection with you, how would you answer it in your own words?
Group II. Objection #2: There is insufcient evidence that God exists. What are the major evidences for Gods existence? If you wanted to communicate the evidence of Gods existence from design, how would you illustrate this? What is a good word picture to describe it?
Group III. Objection #3: If all things have a creator, then who created God? Do you think this is a valid critique of Gods existence? How would you answer this objection to a created God? (if there are more than 3 groups) Group IV. Objection #4: What about the problem of evil? Isnt the existence of evil in the world evidence that there cannot be a God? Supposing we all agree that real, objective evil exists in the world? How could this possibly disprove the existence of God?
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Week 3
In what ways would the existence of evil and suffering assist us in showing Gods existence?
Group V. Hasnt Darwinian Evolution made the discussion of a supernatural creator obsolete?
Group VI. There are many things that are poorly designed, thus there cannot be a God because he would only create perfection.
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Week 4
pl u ral ism {pl-er-uh-liz-uh m}
Religious Pluralism seeks to harmonize competing religions by asserting that all faiths, regardless of their mutually exclusive truth claims, are equally valid. Regardless of how diverse religions may be, they all share underlying truths that overlap at critical points.
Answering Pluralism:
One way, or many?
I. Objection #1: But all roads lead to the same place. Answer: How can competing systems lead everyone to the same destination? Especially when those beliefs do not share the same worldview and core tenets.
II. Objection #2: Its arrogant to claim to be the only way. Answer: Its only arrogant if it isnt true. It would be arrogant to claim it is false when it is actual the case.
III. Objection #3: All truth is relative (radical pluralism). There are no absolutes, so YOUR truth is THE truth. Answer: That is an absolute truth statement that denies the core truth claims of other faiths...This truth assertion requires rigorous argumentation to establish its viability...The statement is literally self-refuting, i.e. if its true, then its false
IV. Objection #4: Most truths are relative (modied pluralism). Only those areas between religions where there is signicant overlap are true. Answer: This is, in fact, a new truth claim that requires rigorous argumentation. What if this truth statement is not held by all faiths? Is it still true? The irony here is that in an attempt to mediate between faiths, the pluralist or postmodernist imposes a new truth assertion on us, namely that all religions have vital areas in common. Yet, since this truth is not held by all faiths we must challenge its validity
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Week 4
Answering Pluralism
What about the claim that Jesus has simply been misunderstood by well-intentioned followers? Lets take a brief look at Jesus own truth claims:
Matthew 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few nd it. What is Jesus referring to here?
Who is Jesus speaking to?
John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for Gods wrath remains on them. Who is John speaking to when he says that whosoever believes has life?
What kind of life is John referring to?
What is very curious about Johns statement regarding Gods wrath?
John 14:6 Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. What does Jesus say that he is?
According to Jesus, what is the only way to come to the Father?
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Week 5
Answering Skeptics of the Scriptures

Is the Bible an unhistorical liability to Christianity?
skeptic
{skep-tik}
a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual.
I. Objection #1: Hasnt the Bible been corrupted through mishandling and textual errors by scribes? Answer: The manuscript witness for Scripture is an embarrassment of riches.21 Currently there are over 5,700 manuscript witnesses to the New Testament. Some of the earliest of these are only separated from the Apostles by a relatively short interval of time
The earliest texts are statistically identical to the latest in all points essential. The claim by Erhman and others that these texts have been hopelessly corrupted due to textual variants has been widely refuted.22 Most of the so called variants are due to the movable nu (the letter n in Greek that can oat between words), and variations in word order - none of which effect the meaning of the text signicantly
The oral transmission culture of second-temple Judaism was impeccable.23 Moreover, sages typically spoke in parables and narratives, which afforded their disciples the most exibility when recalling the stories to later generations of disciples. This is why there are many discrepancies between Gospel accounts of a supercial nature (paraphrases).
21 22 23
Daniel B. Wallace, Reinventing Jesus (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006), 1-40. Wallace, Reinventing Jesus, 56.
Keener, The Historical Jesus (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009), 148., Birger Gerhardsson, Memory and Manuscript: Oral Tradition and Written Transmission in Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998), xi. Kenneth Bailey "Middle Eastern Oral Tradition and the Synoptic Gospels," The Expository Times, Vol. 106, No. 12 (1995), 363-367.
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There is good evidence of early scribal activity among the disciples. It was common for disciples in the ancient world to take notes during lectures, and Jesus appears to promise the Pharisees he will send them scribes as well as prophets (Mt 13; 23).24
The variation between Gospels can be accounted for by the practice of Informal, Controlled, Transmission in ancient semitic cultures.25
II. Objection #2: The Bible contains errors or discrepancies. Answer: So what if it did? All documents of antiquity contain some error, exaggerations, and anachronisms. Yet, we trust their testimony about the ancient world. Examples of errors in ancient documents: Josephus account of Masadas towers. The historian mentions some 37 towers on the walls of Masada (War VII, 287). Yet, only 27 towers were identied during the excavations. Josephus considered 1 Maccabees to be reliable; he paraphrased 1 Macc 1:11-13:42 in books 12 and 13 of his Antiquities of the Jews. With its extensive citations of ofcial documents and dates, 1 Macc is a meticulous record of the period to which it attests. In paraphrasing the account, Josephus introduces error (from our perspective), yet he doesnt from an ancient perspective. He repeatedly cites liberty as the purpose of the account, yet this word appears nowhere in the original Maccabean account. Cassius doesnt even mention Bar Kochba in the revolt!
The burden of proof is on the skeptic to produce an unambiguous error that cannot be explained by a rival hypothesis. Even if he could, it would not impugn the reliability of the ancient record signicantly. There are 12 major facts of Jesus life that all four Gospels agree on. Take out John, and that number doubles. These facts are sufcient to warrant the belief in the general reliability of the Biblical text.
24 25
Keener, The Historical Jesus (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009), 148.
"Informal Controlled Oral Tradition and The Synoptic Gospels," Temelios, Vol. 20, No. 2, (January 1995), 4-11. "Middle Eastern Oral Tradition and the Synoptic Gospels," The Expository Times, Vol. 106, No. 12 (1995), 363-367.
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Week 5
Here is one historians conclusion to the Ancient Historian Josephus, Despite any exaggerations, discrepancies, contradictions, and plain errors...they (his writings) remain an extremely valuable source of geographical and historical detail for Palestine, the Near East, and the Roman Empire of the 1st Century A.D.26
III. Objection #3: The New Testament is the result of an ecclesiastical lottery i.e. Christianity won the Scripture Wars of the 2nd century. Answer: We must deal with history as we have it not as we would imagine it
The only available history shows that the canonization of Scripture was mostly a decentralized organic process, not a centralized organizational effort.27
Maybe the Bible won because it deserved to win. That is, the only competing documents in existence (e.g. The nag hammadi texts) do not match the internal integrity, manuscript witness, doctrinal consistency, or universal acceptance of Scripture by the earliest Christians.28
Conclusion: We can trust the Bibles portrait of Jesus as the primary source for Jesus of Nazareth.
26 27
Josephus, the Essential Works: A Condensation of Jewish Antiquities...By Flavius Josephus, Paul L. Maier.
Bruce Metzger, The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin Development and Signicance (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1987), 2.
28
F.F. Bruce, The Canon of Scripture (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1988), 18.
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Fearless ConversationsFearless Conversations * Week 6
Week 6
Answering the Cults

Was Jesus a Venerated Prophet or God Incarnate
{kuhlt}
a quasi-religious organization using devious psychological techniques to gain and control adherents
cult
I. Objection #1: Jesus never called himself God Answer: This is atly wrong. We established the reliability of the Scriptures in the previous session so we dont need to re-litigate that case. So lets look at the testimony of Scripture Jesus Assumed the Authority of God: Matt. 5:21 You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, You shall not murder; and whoever murders shall be liable to judgment. 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment Matt. 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name? 23 Then I will declare to them, I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers. Matt. 7:28 Now when Jesus had nished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
Jesus Assumed the Prerogatives of Deity: To judge the living and the dead. John 5:21 21 Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. 22 The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. To forgive sins without ritual sacrifice or compliance to the law. Mark 2:5 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven. 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone? 8 At
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once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Stand up and take your mat and walk? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins Jesus Wielded the Power of God To heal broken bodies at will Mark 2:9 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Stand up and take your mat and walk? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sinshe said to the paralytic 11 I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home. 12 And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and gloried God, saying, We have never seen anything like this! To control the forces of nature at will Luke 8:22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, Let us go across to the other side of the lake. So they put out, 23 and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24 They went to him and woke him up, shouting, Master, Master, we are perishing! And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, Where is your faith? They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him? To defy and break the curse of sin - death! Luke 24:36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you. 37 They were startled and terried, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have esh and bones as you see that I have. 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, Have you anything here to eat? 42 They gave him a piece of broiled sh, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence. Jesus Claimed to be Equal with God Matt 26:62 The high priest stood up and said, Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you? 63 But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God. 64 Jesus said to him, You have said so. But I tell you,
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From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict? They answered, He deserves death. 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68 saying, Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?
II. Objection #2: The Disciples didnt really believe Jesus was God - this was a theory that developed years after the Apostles disappeared from the scene. Answer: Lets look at the testimony and activity of the Apostles Jesus is the Object of their Worship Matt. 14:33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, Truly you are the Son of God. Matt. 28:9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, Greetings! And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, Do you believe in the Son of Man? 36 He answered, And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him. 37 Jesus said to him, You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he. 38 He said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind. Matt. 4:10 Jesus said to him, Away with you, Satan! for it is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him. Ex. 20:3 You shall have no other gods before me. The Apostles Claim that Jesus is One with God John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,
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and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:14 And the Word became esh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a fathers only son, full of grace and truth. Phil 2: 5 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on a cross. Col. 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the rstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powersall things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the rstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have rst place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lastly - Jesus claimed to be the only way to the Father (Jn 14:6). This exclusivist claim lead to his death, so when people claim that we are all gods and that we must find the christ within they are mocking the agony and necessity of the cross. They are denying the power of the resurrection of Jesus. See Appendix A for fullled prophecies
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Week 6
Answering the Cults

Small Group Exercise Was Jesus a Venerated Prophet or God Incarnate
Group I. Objection #1: Jesus never called himself God What kind of authority did Jesus assume? Is there any parallel for his assumed authority in Jesus own rabbinic culture? Explain this statement, Jesus Assumed the Prerogatives of Deity.
Group II and III. Objection #2: The Disciples didnt really believe Jesus was God - this was a theory that developed years after the Apostles disappeared from the scene.
What do the letters of the Apostles (like Paul) reveal about the nature of Jesus? How does Phil 2:5-8; Col 1:15-20, Titus 2:13 show that Paul believed that Jesus was divine?
Lastly, according to John 1:1-2, what is Jesus called? When did Jesus start to exist? In what sense can he be with God and actually be God?
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Week 7
The 1 Invitation to Discipleship: Come and See

st
evangelism
[ih-van-juh-liz-uh m]
The practice of spreading the Good News of Jesus.
The art and science of Christian evangelism involves three invitations to the unbeliever: Come and See, Come and Reason, and Come and Follow. Lets look briey at each of these... Scriptures for the Come and See approach. Psalm 66:5 (NIV) Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf ! Isaiah 66:18-19 (Message) "I know everything they've ever done or thought. I'm going to come and then gather everyone all nations, all languages. They'll come and see my glory. I'll set up a station at the center. I'll send the survivors of judgment all over the world: Spain and Africa, Turkey and Greece, and the far-off islands that have never heard of me, who know nothing of what I've done nor who I am. I'll send them out as missionaries to preach my glory among the nations. They'll return with all your long-lost brothers and sisters from all over the world. They'll bring them back and offer them in living worship to God. John 1:46 "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.
John 4:29 Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did The essence of the Come and See method of outreach is that it is invitational. We are inviting a person to see or hear the collective testimony of the church about Jesus. (This method is implicitly used in Acts).
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Week 7
Two Critical Components to the Come and See Conversation:

First: A spiritual conversation has to be started. Someone has to open the door to a discussion about matters of faith, theology, belief in God etc. The ve most effective catalysts of spiritual conversations are: Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs? To you, who is Jesus? Do you think there is a heaven or a hell? When you die, what do think will happen to you? If what you believe were not true, would you want to know that?
It is so critical to actually take the time to listen to peoples answers, before we offer our own answers. If these questions are asked in a relational environment where there is mutual trust, they can make a huge impact. These questions (or similar ones) will help you to assess your neighbors readiness (taking their temperature), and also help you gauge which worldview they are operating with. Second: A spiritual conversation must lead to an invitation involving a low to moderate level of commitment. The best examples of invitation are: Bringing your friend to an Easter service or to church. Inviting them to a church function or connection event. Inviting their teenagers to get involved in youth group, and to come observe whats going on. Throwing a party (porch group) or a game night and inviting friends. Invite them to attend ALPHA with you one season. Other _______________________
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Week 7
The 2nd Invitation to Discipleship: Come and Reason

Spiritual conversations must lead to a challenge of false ideas and faulty worldviews. In order to be prepared to do this you must assess their worldview and be prepared to give every man a ready defense of the Gospel. We must know the story that we are telling in order to make an effective challenge to a faulty worldview (we will cover this next week in depth). The believer must be prepared to answer the unbelievers questions: How can Jesus be the only way to God? How can Christianity be true if Christians are no different than anyone else? How can God really send people to hell for not believing in Jesus? How can I know the Bible is not a book of fairy tales and ction? How can God x my life it is so messed up? Isnt being good, good enough for God?
We have already covered the available worldviews (see notes from week one), and we have spent the last ve weeks covering answers to common objections (see notes from lessons two through six). Excellent resource: Share Jesus Without Fear, by William Fay, who offers short but good answers to objections we have not covered in class. Conclusion: At some point, you will have to share aspects of the Gospel which are inherently offensive to many. Be sure to be disciplined about not being offensive in your methods because the message of Jesus as the only path to salvation is already sufciently offensive to put your friends and family on edge. Remember Peters caution to be ready to offer a defense but do it with gentleness and meekness. You can be defend the Gospel without being defensive or arrogant.
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Week 7
The 3rd Invitation to Discipleship: Come and Follow

The key feature of the Come and Follow approach is that it calls the crowd to commitment. It is calling a person to make a commitment of faith in Jesus, and become a Christ-follower. Matthew 4:19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you shers of men." Matthew 8:22 And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." Matthew 10:38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Once a person who has heard the gospel and interacted with it, the Holy Spirit will begin the work of conviction. He may use you to follow up with your friend on their experience. If you sense they are ready to believe in Jesus and they have accurately understood the message of Jesus, you will nd it helpful to use the following Decision Questions: Do you believe that youre a sinner? (Rom. 3:23 all have sinned and are justied freely). Do want forgiveness of your sins? (Rom. 6:23 the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus).
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Week 7
Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and rose from the dead? (Rom. 10:9-11 For if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved).
Are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus? (Mt. 10:38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me). If you believe in him and receive him as Savior and Lord, you are a child of God (John 1:12).
Once a person has chosen to follow Jesus they are a disciple. The task now is to plug them into the community of faith so that they can continue to grow in their knowledge and depth of insight in the world. This will include a commitment to attend or facilitate a small group Bible study, attend a Life Class or other spiritual growth course, or plug into an accountability group.
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Week 7

Lets look at Jesus method of evangelism in the story of the Woman at the Well. Summary: John 4:1-42 Verses 1-4: Jesus intentionally goes into a Samaritan territory, which was off limits to pious Jews. Verses 6-15: After a long hot journey, Jesus rests at a sacred well called Jacobs Well. He sends his disciples to the local market to purchase food. While they are gone he strikes up a conversation with a Samaritan woman who is there in mid-day, drawing water from this well. The woman is astonished that Jesus would ask her for a drink. Typically women went to the well in groups to carry the large heavy jars. It was very difcult for one person to carry the large 36 in. pots back and forth. Jesus makes her an offer of water that she cannot refuse: everlasting water the water of life. Verses 16-26: Jesus prophesies to her that she has had ve husbands and the man she is now living with is not her husband. Samaritans did not believe in the prophetic books, so when she says I can see you are a prophet, she is really saying, I can see you are THE prophet. Since the only prophet Samaritans accepted was Moses, and since they expected a prophet like Moses to come and be their messiah, she gured the real Messiah would know the answer to a centuries old controversy: is the appropriate place of prayer really at the Temple in Jerusalem, or is it on that holy site in Samaria? Jesus then corrects her theology and states that the place of worship is an obsolete issue. The true worshipers that the Father is seeking are worshipers in spirit and in truth. Confused, she states that shell just wait to get it from the Messiahs lips when he arrives. Jesus states that he is that Messiah.
Verses 27-38: The disciples return and are astonished that Jesus is speaking to this Samaritan woman. The woman returns to the town and tells everyone of her experience with Jesus. The people believe the womans testimony. Jesus is fed by this experience, and refuses the disciples food. They mistake this to mean someone else offered him a meal while they were gone. Jesus replies by saying that the harvest is ready and that the disciples are to open their eyes to the harvest of people to faith in him.
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Study Questions:
Week 7
1. According to verses 1-6, what is the rst barrier that Jesus scales? Answer: Jesus scales the geographical barrier. The scripture says that he had to go to Samaria. Jesus is compelled to a forbidden territory. Samaria was off limits for a pious rabbi. Jesus crossed a denite boundary (a literal geographical one). Application: Jesus does not allow cultural barriers to stop him from reaching out. And neither should we. Matt. 28:19 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore I tell you go into all the world and make disciples of the nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. Who does this passage state that we are to go to? What are some practical ways that we can break this tendency to play it safe, and not to reach out to other sub-cultures of people? 2. According to verses 7ff, what is the second taboo that Jesus breaks? Who does he talk to that he is not supposed to be talking to? Answer: Jesus takes the initiative to start the conversation with a Samaritan woman. This was a social taboo. Pious rabbis were not even to talk to their own wives or their sisters in public for concern over the appearance of impropriety. The woman knows that if a Jewish rabbi were to touch the handle of her drinking jar that he would be considered deled. Jesus is not at all concerned about being deled by those sinners. Application: We must not only reach out to the neat and tidy of our culture. We must embrace those whose lives are messy. We must not be afraid of cross contamination with people who are far from God. 3. What is the word picture that Jesus uses to offer this woman everlasting life? Answer: Water. Water symbolized life in that dry and arid region. Having access to an unending supply of it would get any rst century Palestinians attention. Application: Jesus offer is one of permanency and superiority. His water of Spirits life is a permanent solution and a superior one. Who should we be offering this living water of new Life in the Spirit to. 4. In vv. 16-17, what does Jesus do that makes her a believer?
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Week 7
Answer: He prophesies and tells her details about her life that only a prophet would know. Start with fullled prophecies namely about Jesus. When speaking to friends and family or co-workers, you should point out the impossibility of one man fullling so many prophecies as Jesus did. There are over 300 OT prophecies that have been fullled in Jesus. Allow the Spirit to speak through you, and at times he can bring conviction through your words. Think of an example when youve said just the right thing at just the right time, or when God has given you a special insight into someones life in order to read their mail. We should be open to being a vessel of the Holy Spirit to speak into the lives of others.
5. In vv. 19-24, does Jesus side-step the theological discussion, or does he fully engage it? Answer: Jesus lovingly yet authoritatively corrected her bad theology. Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for rebuking, correction, instruction and training in righteousness. Application: Can you think of a wrong idea that youve had to lovingly confront? Maybe it was a wacky idea about Jesus, or a strange belief about religion (maybe a worldview challenge like we covered last week). How did you handle it? Did you feel prepared to have the discussion, or did you feel like you needed more training in scripture in order to correct, rebuke and instruct? 6. In v. 28, what is womans immediate response and reaction after nding the true Messiah, Jesus? Who does she tell? Answer: the woman becomes a catalyst for the Good News about Jesus to everyone else in her town. She says, come and see a man Application: How can we do what she did? How can we invite friends and neighbors and acquaintances to come and see and come and hear the testimony of Jesus? 7. What is the major shift or change that the towns people make in vv. 41-42? Answer: Their second hand faith becomes rst hand faith. They believe because they experience Jesus for themselves, not just based on the womans testimony. Conclusion: We must tell people what Jesus has done in us, inviting them to come and see and come and hear the collective witness of the church... We must lead them to faith based on our testimony Ultimately, they must experience the love and grace of God for themselves, if they are to become intimate followers of Christ Jesus. Share the Story
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#1 - The Story of God
It is critical that we rightly understand and be able to explain Gods story to our friends and family. The following lesson will assist you to process the critical pieces of that narrative as you seek to relay it to others. Look up Genesis 1-2 In this story, God is the creator of all things.
Week 8
story
{stohr-ee} a narration of a chain of events told or written in prose or verse.
What doesnt the passage say about God?
Look up Genesis Genesis 22:18 Who did God start his redemptive plan through?
What was the promise made to him?
Look up Daniel 9:24ff What does the angel say to Daniel that God will do, when his Anointed One comes?
Look up Isaiah 53:1-5 What kind of things will the Anointed one have to go through?
Look up John 1:1-3 and John 18:31-33 What does this passage say about Jesus?
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#2 - The Story of Mankind
Look up Genesis 3 What happens to people in this story? Look at verse 15. What does God say he will do to destroy the work of the Serpent?
Week 8
Look up Romans 3:9-23 What Does Paul say about the entire human race? What Does Paul say in vv. 22-24 is the hope of the human race? Conversation Tips: First, challenge your friend to recite as many of the 10 commandments as they remember. Second, ask them if they have ever broken any of them, and which ones? Third, ask them what they should expect a perfect God to do with them, if they are self admitted law breakers? Lastly, state to them that we are not sinners because we sin. Instead, we sin because were sinners. In other words, we were all born morally corrupt because of our connection with Adam, and Gods remedy for this is a new birth into a new family that of Jesus.
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#3 - Their Story
Week 8
Building on the story of the Woman at the Well in John 4, What stuck out to you about Jesus style and approach with her? What is Relational Evangelism? Engaging those in our neighborhood, workplace, and social spheres, in order to build personal credibility, resulting in propositional credibility. The Gospel is a propositional truth. It asserts that Jesus is the God given answer to mankinds dilemma. This statement of fact must be accompanied by a living demonstration of the Gospel in front of them. Heres what you need to know about your friends and acquaintances: 1. Are they multiple encounter people, or are they single encounter people? Are they the sort of people that will respond to a single clear and precise presentation of the Gospel message, or will they need multiple exposures to the message? 2. Are they open to dialogue or more interested in sharing their own views? Do they prefer to listen to what you have to say, or listen to your pastor at church, avoiding direct conversation about Christianity? Or do they engage you in dialogue and desire to have a conversation about their views and beliefs? 3. Do they prefer the story rst, then the propositions, or do they enjoy talking philosophy, then a discussion about the Gospel accounts? 4. What is their background? Have they been burned by religion in the past, or have they had a fairly good experience with religious people?
5. What is their Worldview (See notes from rst week)? 6. What is their family history? Were they abused or neglected by their parents, or did they have a generally good experience with their family? 7. Do they have a religious person in their family? Is that person a genuine follower of Christ, or some other religion? What is their general opinion of their religious family member?
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Week 8
As you write out your story, and share with family or friends, follow these guidelines: Use common, non-churchy language. Make sure your words are clear to the nonChristian. Avoid being argumentative Listen without interruption, and recall what they said to you while they were talking. Respect their right to end the conversation at any point without badgering them. Use illustrative language, or metaphors to help explain foreign concepts. Practice positive deconstruction of their worldview. Dont shame them into admitting their worldview is false.
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Fearless Conversations A Template for Crafting Your Story
Week 8
I have/have not always been a Christian. I grew up in a Christian/non-Christian home in ______________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ My parents were generally ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Several events (or one) brought me to a crisis of faith ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ I realized I needed something more in my life, and turned to faith in Jesus ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
The biggest change in my life since Ive become a follower of Jesus has been ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________
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Week 8
May I share how something like this can happen to you? The scripture teaches that all men have been born sinners and that our sin distances us from God. Through the person of Abraham, God set into motion a covenant or a contract with the human race. This contract included various sacrices, which foreshadowed what was to come. Gods end of the bargain in this contract was to provide a perfect savior who was able to reconcile us back to relationship with God. Jesus is authorized to save us because he was God come in human form, lived a sinless perfect life, and died on a cross as the ultimate and nal sacrice for our sin. Jesus vindicated his claim as the perfect Savior and sacrice for sin by raising himself back to life three days afterward. Today, if you believe on Jesus, that God sent him, allowed him to suffer in your place, and raised him from the dead 3 days later, you will be saved. Do you believe this is true? Do you believe that Jesus is the risen Lord of the World? Do you receive Jesus as the only one who can save you for eternity? The scripture also states, now that you know these things, do them. Faith is demonstrated by follow through. I want to encourage you to get a readable Bible (Like the NLT, or NIV) and begin to read the Gospel of Mark and John. I want to recommend you to plant your life into a healthy church community and begin to grow in your faith. Jesus can be immediately experienced by the Holy Spirit, whom God sent to all believers. We strengthen and maintain our faith in Jesus by reading his word, the Bible, and talking to him through prayer.
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Appendix A - Fulfilled Prophecies of Jesus

THE SON OF MAN - BORN OF A WOMAN Isaiah 9:6-7 [6]For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7]Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. ... 700B.C. Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. John 1:1-3, 14 [1]In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2]He was with God in the beginning. [3]Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [14]The Word became esh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. BORN OF A VIRGIN Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 700B.C. Mattthew 1:20-23 [20]But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21]She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." [22]All this took place to fulll what the Lord had said through the prophet: [23] "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." FROM THE HOUSE OF JUDAH Isaiah 37:31 Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. 700B.C. Matthew 1:1-2, 16 [1]A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son [descendant] of David, the son of Abraham: [2]Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, [16]and [a later] Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
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FROM THE ROOT AND STUMP OF JESSE Isaiah 11:10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. 700B.C. Isaiah 11:1-5 [1]A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. [2]The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD-[3]and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; [4]but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. [5]Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. 700B.C. Romans 15:12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." Matthew 1:1-2a, 5-6, 16 [1]A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: [2] Abraham was the father of Isaac, ... [5] ... Obed the father of Jesse, [6] and Jesse the father of King David. [16] and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. FROM THE HOUSE OF DAVID Isaiah 16:5 In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it--one from the house of David--one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. 700B.C. Matthew 1:1-2A, 6, 16 [1]A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: [2] Abraham was the father of Isaac, ... [6] and Jesse the father of King David. [16]and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. BORN IN BETHLEHEM EPHRATHAH Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. 700B.C. Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem BE FROM NAZARETH OF GALILEE
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Isaiah 9:1-2 [1]Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan -- [2] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 700B.C. Matthew 2:22-23 [22]But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, [23]and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fullled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene." Matthew 4:13-16 [13]Leaving Nazareth, he [Jesus] went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali-- [14]to fulll what was said through the prophet Isaiah: [15] "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles -- [16]the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." HIS BIRTH WOULD TRIGGER A MASSACRE OF INFANT BOYS Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more." 625B.C. Matthew 2:16-18 [16] When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. [17]Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fullled: [18]"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." COME OUT OF EGYPT Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 725B.C. Matthew 2:14-15 [14]So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, [15] where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fullled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." MISSION WOULD INCLUDE THE GENTILES Isaiah 49:6 he [the Lord] says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."700B.C.
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Isaiah 42:1-4, 6 [1]"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. [2]He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.[3]A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; [4]he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope." [6]"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 700B.C. Matthew 12:14-21 [14] But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. [15]Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, [16]warning them not to tell who he was. [17]This was to fulll what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: [18] "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. [19]He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. [20]A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. [21]In his name the nations will put their hope." Note that in Biblical usage the Gentiles are often referred to as "the nations." MINISTRY WOULD INCLUDE MIRACULOUS HEALINGS Isaiah 29:18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 700B.C. Isaiah 35:5-6a [5]Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. [6a]Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. 700B.C. Luke 7:20-22 [20]When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, `Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?' " [21]At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. [22]So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." MINISTRY WOULD DELIVER SPIRITUAL CAPTIVES Isaiah 61:1-2 [1]The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [2]to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 700B.C. Luke 4:16-21 [16]He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. [17]The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: [18]"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has
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sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, [19]to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." [20]Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, [21]and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fullled in your hearing." DESPISED AND REJECTED BY MEN Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 700B.C. HATED WITHOUT CAUSE Psalm 69:4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. 1000B.C. Isaiah 49:7 This is what the LORD says-- the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel-- to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." 700B.C. John 7:48-49 "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? [49]No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law--there is a curse on them." John 15:24-25 [24]If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. [25]But this is to fulll what is written in their Law: `They hated me without reason.' REJECTED BY RULERS Psalm 118:22 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone [cornerstone of a building]; [23]the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. before 400B.C. Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:" `The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes' ? John 7:48-49 Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? [49]No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law--there is a curse on them. REJECTED BY HIS OWN BROTHERS Psalms 69:8 I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons 1000B.C.
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Mark 3:20-21 [20]Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. [21] When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind." John 7:1-5 [1] After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. [2]But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, [3]Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. [4]No one who wants to become a public gure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." [5] For even his own brothers did not believe in him. BETRAYED FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER Zechariah 11:12 I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. 500B.C. Matthew 26:14-15 [14]Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests [15] and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. SILVER RETURNED SILVER USED TO BUY POTTER'S FIELD Zechariah 11:12-13 [12]I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. [13]And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"-the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter. 500B.C. Matthew 27:3-10 [3]When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. [4]"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." [5]So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. [6]The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." [7]So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's eld as a burial place for foreigners. [8]That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. [9]Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fullled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, [10]and they used them to buy the potter's eld, as the Lord commanded me." DISCIPLES WOULD SCATTER
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Zechariah 13:7 "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones." 500B.C. Matthew 26:31 Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: " `I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the ock will be scattered.'"
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Bibliography
Bailey, Kenneth. "Informal Controlled Oral Tradition and The Synoptic Gospels." Temelios, Vol. 20, No. 2, January 1995. Bailey, Kenneth. "Middle Eastern Oral Tradition and the Synoptic Gospels." The Expository Times, Vol. 106, No. 12, 1995. Banks, Robert, Pauls Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson rev. 1994. Bruce, F.F. The Canon of Scripture. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1988. Cowan, Steven B. Five Views on Apologetics. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000. Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, 3 ed. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2008. Dembski, William. Intelligent Design: The Bridge Between Science and Theology. Downers Grove: IVP, 2002. Gerhardsson, Birger. Memory and Manuscript: Oral Tradition and Written Transmission in Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998. Grifn, David R. Deep Religious Pluralism. Louisville, Westminster John Knox Press, 2005. Keener, Craig. The Historical Jesus. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009. Maier, Paul L. Josephus, the Essential Works: A Condensation of Jewish Antiquities Metzger, Bruce. The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin Development and Signicance. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1987. Plantinga, Alvin. Faith and Rationality: Reason and Belief in God. Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1983. Moreland, J.P. The God Question: An Invitation to a Life of Meaning. Eugene: Harvest House, 2009. Wallace, Daniel B. Reinventing Jesus. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2006. Wheeler, David. Incarnational Apologetics Lecture notes. William Lane Craig, Are There Objective Truths About God? http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/ News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5342, article accessed on May 20, 2011.
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http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5355 http://www.barna.org/culture-articles/462-six-megathemes-emerge-from-2010?q=fear. http:// www.barna.org/culture-articles/462-six-megathemes-emerge-from-2010?q=fear. Accessed May 22, 2011.
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Study Guide for the Course
About the Author
Jeff Kennedy is the Pastor of Discipleship at Eastpoint Church in Spokane Valley, WA. In addition to a B.A. In Biblical Literature, Jeff has earned Masters degrees in of Religion, Religious Education, and is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program at Talbot School of Theology under Dr. Michael Wilkins. Jeff has had nearly twenty years of experience in ministry and has had the pleasure of discipling scores of individuals and groups to Jesus.
Eastpoint Church Discipleship Resources: The Essential Life Curriculum Series 15303 E. Sprague Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99037
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Fearless

Learn to Share Your Story With Condence

Jeff Kennedy / EssentiaLife Resources / Release Date June, 2011

Part 1: The Evidence for Christianity

Part 2: Incarnational Apologetics

Incarnational Evangelism Course by Jeff Kennedy

Foundations of Christian Apologetics

a pol o get ics

Five Views on Apologetics, 19.

Craig, Reasonable Faith, 19.

Nat u ral ism

God is the best explanation for science itself

The universe cannot be self-existent

The apparent design of the universe is evidence of actual design19

The existence of objective morality is evidence for Gods existence

Craig, Reasonable Faith, 19.

God can allow certain short-term evils to accomplish long-term goods...

Who is Jesus speaking to?

What kind of life is John referring to?

What is very curious about Johns statement regarding Gods wrath?

According to Jesus, what is the only way to come to the Father?

Answering Skeptics of the Scriptures

Keener, The Historical Jesus (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009), 148.

Fearless ConversationsFearless Conversations * Week 6

Answering the Cults

Answering the Cults

The 1 Invitation to Discipleship: Come and See

Two Critical Components to the Come and See Conversation:

The 2nd Invitation to Discipleship: Come and Reason

The 3rd Invitation to Discipleship: Come and Follow

Small Group Exercise

What doesnt the passage say about God?

What was the promise made to him?

Fearless Conversations A Template for Crafting Your Story

Appendix A - Fulfilled Prophecies of Jesus

http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5355 http://www.barna.org/culture-articles/462-six-megathemes-emerge-from-2010?q=fear. http:// www.barna.org/culture-articles/462-six-megathemes-emerge-from-2010?q=fear. Accessed May 22, 2011.

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