From Doubt to defense: A Bible Study
Why Christian Apologetics?
Learning about Apologetics using the Book of Acts gives practical insight as to how we are to approach the world around us.
Here's a study using God's Word (the Book of Acts) and Richard Pratt's book, "Every Thought Captive" to prepare yourself and your small group with the basics of Apologetics (apologetics is a defense of the Gospel). I like to think of apologetics as a way of being a good steward of what God has given us: His Word.
1 Peter 3:15 instructs us to give a reason for the hope that we have in Christ and to be ready to give a defense of the Gospel at all times. And that means at ALL times by EVERY one of us. We are living in times alluded to in 2 Peter 3:15 - 18 which touches on the urgency and power with which we believers need to properly defend our Faith.
Over the weeks, you'll have fun and stimulating discussions. It is my prayer that you'll come away with practical ideas of how to better present Christ in you to your family, friends, neighbors, and strangers.
Richard Pratt's book "Every Thought Captive" is an excellent resource going through foundational Biblical truths and exposing current "post-modern" and "post-Christian" thought and world views and how to defend YOUR faith properly.
This is your resource for small groups and Sunday school classes, from teens to adults.
All Scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
Click here for an Overview of the book.
From Doubt to Defense is available here in e-book and paperback
Click here for the Spanish version - Clique aqui. Disponible en Espanol
from doubt to defense: lessons 1-11
Introduction
1. Why Christian Theism?
1. Why Christian Theism?
Why is it important to understand the Book of Acts? What can we learn from its pages, people & events? God wants us to think and use every resource available as we properly & purposefully spread the Gospel to the world.
1. Why Christian Theism?
1. Why Christian Theism?
1. Why Christian Theism?
We need to understand why Christian theism is not only a superior worldview & philosophy, but it has eternal repercussions.
2. Who is God?
1. Why Christian Theism?
3. Getting Started Requires a Good Start
It is impossible to discuss Christianity and apologetics without having a solid grasp of Who God is. Although God is not completely knowable, we can gain understanding as we will be in a relationship for eternity.
3. Getting Started Requires a Good Start
3. Getting Started Requires a Good Start
3. Getting Started Requires a Good Start
God has gifted us Christians with incredible opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The world around us is confused. The Gospel calls us to cut through the confusion to bring as many as possible into His eternal Kingdom.
4. Speaking in Tongues
3. Getting Started Requires a Good Start
5. Peter's Keys to Apologetics
Chapter 2 of the Book of Acts provides further insight into how we should speak to those in our individual sphere of influence and what we should speak about.
5. Peter's Keys to Apologetics
3. Getting Started Requires a Good Start
5. Peter's Keys to Apologetics
Let's follow the apostle Peter and the methodology God gave him in speaking the truth of the Gospel in a variety of situations.
6. Practical Preaching
6. Practical Preaching
6. Practical Preaching
Chapter 2 of the Book of Acts ends with a word picture of how this new community of believers was leading their lives & their impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
7. Right Relationship
6. Practical Preaching
6. Practical Preaching
What is your relationship to God? Do we know what we believe & do we believe what we know? Let's stop and take a check of our own beliefs & our Christian worldview.
8. The Sin Problem
6. Practical Preaching
Chapter 7 of Acts details Stephen's incredible "apologia" to the Jewish Sanhedrin. He told the Truth and for that, they took his life. What are the noetic effects of sin?
9. Redemption Solution
Redemption begins in the mind & then permeates through our entire being, restoring our relationship to the way God had intended.
10. Christian Worldview
11. The Unbeliever's Worldview
Everyone has a worldview. What makes up a worldview & why is it important to understand? How do you not only express your worldview but also live it?
11. The Unbeliever's Worldview
11. The Unbeliever's Worldview
The unbelieving worldview is radically different. In forming our apologetic, we must understand how they think & why they think the way they do.
from doubt to defense: lessons 12-14 & extras
12. Actions & Attitudes
13. Apologetic Strategies
13. Apologetic Strategies
The myths of Neutrality & Autonomy. What are the Christian believer's attitudes & actions to be like when presenting our Apologetic?
13. Apologetic Strategies
13. Apologetic Strategies
13. Apologetic Strategies
We need to understand why Christian theism is not only a superior worldview & philosophy, but it has eternal repercussions. We remember that God is our Foundation as well as our Defense.
14. Wrapping it Up
13. Apologetic Strategies
Following Peter's Example, Part 1
Christian evangelism & apologetics are not about winning arguments. It's about presenting the truth of God, His Word, His purposes to make heaven as crowded as possible.
Following Peter's Example, Part 1
Following Peter's Example, Part 1
More on 1 Peter 3:15-16
Following Peter's Example, Part 2
More on 2 Peter 3:14-18
The Unbelieving Mind
What Romans 1:18-25 says about the unbelieving mind.
Dignity & Depravity
The Gospel vs. the Hamster Wheel
Dignity & Depravity
Human beings are created in the image & likeness of God, but because of the sin that indwells us, we put a dark mark on that image.
A Worldview Example
The Gospel vs. the Hamster Wheel
Dignity & Depravity
A personal example of what a worldview looks like
The Gospel vs. the Hamster Wheel
The Gospel vs. the Hamster Wheel
The Gospel vs. the Hamster Wheel
Follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ or continue on your own hamster wheel. The choice is yours. Make the right choice.