Welcome to our new class: A Case for Christianity, Foundational Truths! This class will focus on the importance of Christian Apologetics, and major questions asked of Christians today, along with Bible study skill practice using a survey format that follows the principles of hermeneutics. This week’s class will be introductory as we will look at our ministry statement along with some background information on Christian Apologetics and its importance for all Christians to understand and practice today. We will also do a Bible study practice piece on the book of Exodus.
Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:
Presentation Notes
2024 A Case for Christianity, Foundational Truths
Session 1: The Importance of Apologetics and Hermeneutics
Introduction
Prayer cards: Take a minute and write your name on the index card provided, and add any special prayer request you might have. Exchange cards at the end of the class this evening.
At your table groups, answer the following:
- Introduce yourself, and then answer this question: Why are you taking this class (what are you hoping to learn), and what is your previous experience in Bible study?
- Recite this week’s Memory Passage (The Apologetic Theme Verse):
“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
1 Peter 3:13-16 (NIV)
MINISTRY STATEMENT
The purpose of this class is to provide participants with the information and tools needed to address the questions asked of Christians in our culture today (1 Peter 3:15). This includes an emphasis on…
- Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; John 17:1-3 the entire chapter is a model)
- Bible Study – proper Biblical interpretation through the use of hermeneutics (Matthew 22:37; 2 Timothy 2:15)
- Apologetics – a defense of the historicity, inerrancy and inspiration of the Christian Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
- Discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 10:23-25)
- This ministry believes that it is the responsibility of every person to invest serious time looking into the claims of Christianity because what we believe to be true about God, human purpose and destiny defines us in this life and more importantly in the next (John 14:1-3).
- This ministry is committed to providing Biblical truths based on the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles (John 14:6-7; 2 Peter 1:16-19; 1 John 1:1-4). The most important question we must answer in this life is the one Jesus asked of his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:18-20).
Things you will need:
- A Notebook/binder to store your notes (unless you are doing it electronically)
- A good study Bible like the Life Application Study Bible in the NASB, NIV or NLT version
What is Christian Apologetics?
- (Christian) Apologetics: Our Biblical call to give a defense of the faith.
- Apologetics=apologia (ap-ol-og-ee’-ah) in the original Greek means to give a verbal defense, like in a court of law.
- It is used eight times in the New Testament: Acts 22:1; 25:16; 1 Corinthians 9:3; 2 Corinthians 10:5 and 10:6; Philippians 1:7; 2 Timothy 4:16; and 1 Peter 3:15.
- Christian Apologetics seeks to address misconceptions and defend the Christian faith from an intellectual point of view along with a Biblical Christian Worldview.
- Christian Apologetics deals with the pursuit and defense of GOD’S TRUTH.
- Christians have used apologetics since the time of Jesus because it helps point people to the truth found in Scripture, the connection of the Old Testament to the New Testament, and to the ultimate truth that came in the person and teachings of Jesus.
Are there Biblical Examples for using Apologetics?
The Great Commission
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””
-Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)
The Great Commandment
“…’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
-Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)
Paul’s witness included defending and giving reason for the faith:
“Yet Saul (Paul) grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.”
-Acts 9:22 (NIV)
“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.”
-Acts 17:16-17 (NIV)
Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
-2 Corinthians 5:20a (NIV)
Paul, speaking about leadership in the Church, writes this to Titus:
“He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.”
-Titus 1:9 (NLT)
Jesus used apologetics:
(Jesus said…) “But I have a greater witness than John—my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me.”
-John 5:36 (NLT)
In Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus gave apologetic evidence that He had the power to forgive sins on earth by not only forgiving the paralytic’s sins, but by making him walk!
Jesus’ Disciples gave dissertations in defense of the Gospel:
Apollos: “For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.” -Acts 18:28
Peter: Acts chapters 2, 3, 10 and in both of his letters (1 and 2 Peter)
Stephen: Acts chapter 7
John: The majority of the Gospel of John is an apologetic as is his three letters (1, 2 and 3 John)
Jude: A half-brother of Jesus wrote in his letter to “contend earnestly” meaning fight for the truth! (1:3)
The early Church leaders (Polycarp, Clement, Origin, Justin, etc.) used apologetics in the first through third centuries after Jesus
Why do we need to practice Apologetics?
We are warned:
Jesus, speaking to His disciples…
“And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.” …For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, eventhe elect.”.
-Matthew 24:4-5; 24 (NASB)
The Apostle Paul wrote this warning to the believers in Colossae:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”
–Colossians 2:8 (NASB)
The Apostle Paul also wrote this warning to the young pastor Timothy:
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
-1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV)
The Apostle Peter wrote these warnings to the persecuted Church:
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.” -2 Peter 2:1-3a (NIV)
“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” -2 Peter 3:3 (NIV)
The Apostle John wrote this warning to the believers during persecution and the beginning of false teaching (Gnosticism) in the Church:
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
-1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
“This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. “
-1 John 2:25-26 (NASB)
God warned the Israelites in the Old Testament numerous times of their impending destruction, and the prophet Hosea tells us why:
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
-Hosea 4:6 (NASB)
Top 10 Apologetics books for beginners
- Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis – In this modern classic, Lewis makes a comprehensive case for Christianity beginning with the moral argument.
- More Than a Carpenter, by Sean and Josh McDowell – Told through the lens of Josh’s powerful story, MTAC makes a brief case for the resurrection, deity of Jesus, and the reliability of the New Testament.
- The Reason for God, by Tim Keller – With a pastoral heart, Keller makes a case for the Christian faith and addresses some of the top objections such as evil, hell, and the exclusivity of Christianity.
- The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel – As a former atheist and journalist, Strobel interviews leading Christian thinkers on the historical evidence for Jesus.
- Cold Case Christianity, by J. Warner Wallace – As a former atheist and cold-case detective, Wallace looks at the historical Jesus through the lens of forensic science.
- Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, and Street Smarts, Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Questions, by Greg Koukl – These books primarily give a game-plan, or strategies, for thoughtfully engaging others in dialogue about the Christian faith.
- Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Sean and Josh McDowell – This is a BIG book but offers an understandable and in-depth defense of the deity of Jesus, reliability of the Bible, and resurrection of Jesus.
- I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist, by Frank Turek and Norman Geisler – Top apologetic answers to tough questions are presented in a winsome way.
- Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, by Nabeel Qureshi – A must read for anyone serious about Christian Apologetics. Follow Nabeel’s personal journey from Islam to Christianity.
- Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side, 40 Conversations to Help Them Build A Lasting Faith, by Natasha Crain – An excellent resource for parents, those who are mentoring young kids, or those who are looking for answers to common questions asked in our culture today.
BIBLE STUDY
Hermeneutics: Bible Study in Context
What is Hermeneutics?
Hermeneutics describes the task of explaining the meaning of the Scriptures:
- The word comes from the Greek verb “hermeneuein” that means ‘to explain, interpret or translate.’
- Using the verb, the Gospel writer Luke informs us that Jesus, after His resurrection, explained to the two disciples on the Emmaus Road what the Scriptures said about Him. (Luke 24:27)
- Hermeneutics is simply studying the Bible in its proper context, like you would do with any book.
- Hermeneutics provides some basic guidelines for studying the Bible so that we can be sure that what we are reading and sharing with others is correct.
READING—STUDYING—MEDITATING
Know the difference
Principle #1:
Never Read a Bible Verse by Itself
- Stick to the plain reading of the text unless otherwise indicated—the Bible interprets the Bible!
- Reading a Bible verse by itself and trying to interpret what it means based on “what you feel” can be dangerous.
- If you rely on what a person feels in a group study you will most likely get a wide range of opinions and trouble may arise.
Many cults have begun this way, twisting the Scriptures to fit personal agendas…
The Apostle Paul warns about this:
“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!”
Galatians 1:6-9 (NLT)
Since the beginning of time Satan’s goal has been deception:
Scripture Twisting was instituted by Satan himself when he tempted Eve and asked:
“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden? …You will not surely die, …for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.’”
(See Genesis 3)
Principle #2:
Use the Hermeneutical Method
Bible Study Survey Format
Old Testament
Category: Torah
Book: Exodus
| 1. Author: Who wrote the book and when? (Include anything you can find about the author and when it was written) |
| 2. Audience: Who was it written to? (Include anything you can find about the people, the culture or societal norms, of that time period) |
| 3. Purpose: Why was it written? (Include anything you can find about their circumstances and what was, or had been, going on) |
| 4. Content: What is in each chapter? (Include chapter by chapter titles and a short summary – no more than 3-5 sentences – Keep in mind #5 and #6 and mark a chapter accordingly) |
| 5. Going Deeper: What are the major Covenants found in this book? (Include new ones or ones that relate back to Genesis and mark (C); you can also include any major events here) |
| 6. Finding Jesus: Where is Jesus? (Include any appearances (JA), foreshadows (JF) or prophecies (JP)? |
| 7. Application: How can this book and its teachings apply to us today? (Answers will vary, but can include personal, cultural or timeless teachings for us today) |
| 8. The Shelf: What questions or comments do you have about this book? (Answers will vary, but can include things you didn’t understand or things you want to learn more about) |
(List resources used, or that can be used for further study)
With your table groups go over what you already know about the book of Exodus for the following:
This is the first three steps of the above ”survey format”
1.Author: Who wrote the book and when?
2.Audience: Who was it written to?
3.Purpose: Why was it written? (Include the genre of the writing)
Answers (Examples for your review):
| 1. Author: Who wrote the book and when? (Include anything you can find about the author and when it was written) |
| Moses is the author of this book which is part of the first five books of the Bible known as the Torah (Hebrew), Pentateuch (Greek), also known as “the Books of Moses”
Moses’ story is told in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy The Bible tells us that God gave Moses all that is in the Torah at Mt. Sinai, and he wrote during the forty-year period of wandering in the desert after the exodus from Egypt, ca. 1446-1406 BC Biblical reference examples for Moses’ authorship: Exodus 17:14, 24:2-4, 34:27; Numbers 33:1-2, Deuteronomy 31:9, Joshua 1:8, 2 Kings 21:8; and most importantly Jesus spoke of Moses’ authorship many times as exampled in John 5:46-47 |
| 2. Audience: Who was it written to? (Include anything you can find about the people, the culture or societal norms, of that time period) |
| The Nation of Israel is the intended audience and it was given to them during their forty-year wilderness wanderings after the exodus from Egypt (prior to entering the Promised Land).
Additionally, God gave it to them through Moses and commanded them to teach it to the people of God for generations to come. |
| 3. Purpose: Why was it written? (Include anything you can find about their circumstances and what was, or had been, going on) |
| Exodus’ genre is mainly an historical narrative that records events of the Nation of Israel beginning about 400 years after Joseph (end of Genesis) including the birth of Moses, his life story and into the time of the Exodus with the giving of the Law by God at Mt. Sinai
Moses wrote, under God’s direction, so that the Nation of Israel would know God and remember all that He had done for them including taking them out of slavery in Egypt, freeing them to become their own nation as they return to the Promised Land, and giving them the Law of God so that they could be a blessing (representatives of God to the other nations) – all in partial fulfillment of the unfolding Abrahamic Covenant. Note: Exodus narrates more miracles than any other Old Testament book! This is important as the people of Israel, and we, learn more about who God is, His character and sovereignty, as evidenced by these miracles. Jesus will do the same thing in the New Testament as He uses miracles to demonstrate His Deity. |
Homework
Read Exodus chapters 1-10 and do the following:
This would start #4 Content for the Bible survey format…
- Write a title(s) for each chapter (could include more than one depending on topics in that chapter, and can be in your own words). This may vary slightly among your group members = good point of discussion.
- Take notes to summarize the chapter (no more than three to five sentences). This will also vary among your group members = good points of discussion.
Advanced: If you notice something related to a covenant of God (made back in Genesis) put a C (see #5 in the format above); or something related to Jesus put a JA, JF or JP (see #6 in the format above) next to the chapter so you can reference it in your discussion and later on when you get to #5 and #6.
Extra: If you find a verse/passage that you’d like to remember, highlight it and note it in your summary.
Join us next week as we continue our “Case for Christianity” Studies!
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15