This week’s class will focus on a seven step method for asking or answering tough questions often asked of Christians in today’s culture. We will also look at the first of several questions we will cover in this class: Q1 Why are you a Christian? And we will offer several answers for you to ponder. For the second half of the class we will continue our Bible study practice on the book of Exodus. Each week’s class includes prayer and reflection, an “apologetics” presentation and a Bible study piece. You will also find the presentation notes, Bible study questions and additional resources below.

Presentation Notes

2024 A Case for Christianity, Foundational Truths

Session 2: Why Are You A Christian? The Importance of a Christian Worldview

Review and Reflection

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, do the following:

Review the meaning of “apologetics” and how it might help you share your faith with others.
Review the meaning of “hermeneutics” and how it is important to use for Bible study
Recite this week’s Memory Verse (The Apologetic Theme Verse):

“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”

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Sharing You Faith:
How do I Ask or Answer Tough Questions?
The Importance of Being a Good Listener

1. Asking or Answering a Question:

Present a question, or restate a question given to you (You may be the one initiating the question, or it may be a question asked of you – in that case clarify it)

Example:

“What do you think about life after death?” (You’re initiating the conversation)

Or, if they are initiating the question you want to restate it to clarify and make sure you understand what they are asking…

“By asking me that question, you are saying, what do I think happens after we die?”

2. Listening:

Let them answer the question first, don’t give your answer right away

– if they asked you, turn it around and ask them to answer first since they initiated the conversation (This will allow you to be a good listener and get insight into what they believe before proceeding)

Example:

“Before I answer, I’d like to hear your thoughts on that question”

3. Clarification of their answer:

After they give their answer, use any form of the following clarification question:

What do you mean by that? (Try to get them to give a reason for the answer they just gave in a little deeper way)

– This might include asking for a definition of terms

Example:

“What do you mean when you say we go to heaven (or whatever answer they have given) – what do you mean by the word heaven” (where is it, what is it etc.)?

4. Background clarification:

This is still part of the listening process because now you want to ask: Where did you learn that? (At this point you’re trying to see what their background is on the topic – it might be they’re not sure, or at the other end of the spectrum, they might have gone to a Christian School or Bible college)

– all important information for you to know before answering

Example:

“Where did you learn about heaven (or whatever belief they gave in their answer) who taught you that, and how do you know it’s true?”

5. Giving your answer:

I would like to share my answer to this question with you now. (At this point they are obligated to listen since you have already listened to them – try to keep it short with one or two major points or examples)

Example:

“My answer comes from a Christian worldview that I have developed since studying the Bible and getting to know the God of the Bible. God has promised us forgiveness of sins and an eternal home with Him, that is Heaven, if we would accept what His Son Jesus did for us on the Cross” (and it is here, if they will allow you, that you can give the Gospel message) I would personally add: Can I read you John chapter 14 where Jesus talks about preparing our eternal home?

6. Follow up:

Ask for another time to meet, maybe over coffee or via email, and continue the conversation. Get an email, text number or schedule right then. (This may Include coming back with resources, additional answers or follow up questions)

Example:

“I would love to meet with you again, or dialog over email on this topic. I can also send you additional information and answer some of those things I wasn’t able to answer right now” (Let them know the answers are out there!)

7. Things to remember:

Always pray before you start a conversation and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

You don’t have to have all the answers and you can come back to give them more information later – the answers are out there and now you have resources!

Remember you are only planting a seed, or putting a stone in their shoe so that you or someone else can help them in the future, and God’s in control of their salvation!

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS:
SELECTED Q & A FOR FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS

Q1. Why Are You a Christian?

Quick answer: BECAUSE IT’S TRUE!

IT’S REALLY TRUE (Historically, evidentially, and rationally true!)

Before answering further, we need to understand what it means to be a Christian…

Definition:

The meaning of CHRISTIAN is one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ (Merriam-Webster)
A Christian is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (Wikipedia)

How does the Bible define a Christian?

Many people think that going to church or simply believing in God makes them a Christian, but the Bible presents a different perspective and definition of a Christian:
A Christian is someone whose heart, and subsequent behavior, reflects Jesus Christ.
The fruit (behavior) of a Christian can be seen in their worldview…

Worldview Definition

A set of beliefs and presuppositions used to define a position, or stance, on various situations and subjects of life.
The lens through which we view the world and important issues.
The ideologies and principles that guide our thoughts, actions, and reactions to various circumstances we experience in life.
The tool of thought we use to address the most important issues of life, for example…

Five of life’s most important questions for a worldview to answer:

1) God: Does God exist?

2) Origin: Where did I come from?

3) Identity and Purpose: Who am I and why am I here?

4) Evil: What is wrong with the world?

5) Destiny: Where are we going (after we die)?

A Christian worldview, based on Biblical truths, offers the best answers to these kinds of questions!

VIEW ON	SECULAR WORLDVIEW vs.	CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW
1. God	No god, or we cannot know anything for sure about god – The supernatural cannot be measured through secular scientific methods	As our Creator we can know the one true God through His Word; He is a personal God, and we can further know Him through His Son Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit
2. Origin	Random evolutionary processes – nothing but survival of the fittest	God’s Creation – Intelligently and lovingly designed with purpose…
3. Identity and Purpose	Be true to yourself; Gender is fluid; take care of self first, then othersDo whatever helps us survive and makes us happy; just be a “good person” (humanism)	Created in God’s image – male and femalePursue God’s wisdom in Scripture; imitate the person and teachings of Jesus; follow the Great Commission: Love God first, then fellow humans
4. Evil	Humans not innately responsible for evil, but can regulate, or fix it; or doesn’t exist but is a construct	Satan; The Fall; Human freewill
5. Destiny	Dust, no one knows	Heaven—eternity with God through Jesus Christ
6. Truth	Relative; based on cultural norms	Absolute-based on reality and God’s Word
7. Culture	Whatever society accepts-changes with time	Biblical—God centered, never changes
8. Politics	Culture shapes the vote	Biblical values shape the vote
9. Education	Humanism—man centered	Biblical—God centered
10. The Sciences	What we can test and observe; human discoveries; no god or supernatural allowed	God created with intelligent design – discovery flows from there; science is the pursuit of God
11. The Arts	Representative of a feeling/moment in time	Beauty based on God’s design and purpose
12. Humanity	Evolved from lower life forms – all are not equal	Made in the image of God – all are equal

Theism vs. Atheism (and everything in between)

Four basic religious worldviews on God and life:

1. Theism: Belief in a personal God (monotheistic) who created the universe but is not the universe.

Example: The Painter and his painting – The Creator and His Creation

Christianity (Trinitarian)
Judaism
Islam

2. Pantheism: Belief in an impersonal God that literally is the universe.

Example: The Painter is the painting – The Creator is the creation

Most Eastern varieties of Hinduism (which also includes forms of polytheism = many gods)
Some forms of Buddhism (which can also be atheistic)
Many forms of ‘New Age’ beliefs

3. Atheism: No belief in any form of God.

Example: the painting has always existed, no one painted it

– the creation has always existed, no one created it

Humanism
Naturalism
Evolutionism

4. Agnosticism: Unsure about the question of God; a decision to be empty minded on the subject of God

Example: Can’t know the Painter or anything about the Painter (or don’t want to)

– Can’t know the Creator or anything about the Creator (or don’t want to)

Postmodernism
Deconstructionism
The newly defined “Nones” (no religious affiliation)

Summary of Religious Worldviews on God:

God made all///God is all///no God at all

(Theism) (Pantheism) (Atheism)

No decision is a decision against God

(Agnosticism)

Developing and Assessing Your Worldview
If you claim to be a Christian, what should your worldview be based on?

Prayer: Pray in all things – pray first before all life decisions, actions and interactions with others; always ask for protection from spiritual warfare
God’s Word: Know what the Bible teaches and how to apply it to your life, then live it out and defend it (with gentleness and respect)
Modeling Jesus: Learn from Jesus’ ministry, life examples and teachings
The Holy Spirit: Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, especially in gray areas, or areas God’s Word doesn’t specifically address
Discipleship: Do life with other Christians; be a mentor and have mentors; share your faith and what you are learning with others

A Christian worldview is grounded on the understanding that…

We are God’s creation, designed to govern the world and fellowship with Him (Genesis 1:27-28; 2:15).
We sinned against God and subjected the whole world to a curse (Genesis 3).
God Himself has redeemed the world through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15; Luke 19:10), and we can do nothing to redeem ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus resurrected in defeat of death and Satan, and will one day restore creation to its former perfect state (Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-5).
We are to put God first and follow Jesus’ commandments (Matthew 22:37-40; Matthew 28:19-20).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)

Massive amounts of evidence for the Christian Worldview can be found in these categories:

God’s Existence
Confirmation of the miraculous (supernatural and metaphysical realm)
Manuscript (Bible) reliability and transmission
Archeological and historical corroboration and confirmation of Biblical narratives
Prophetic accuracy in Scripture and Messianic fulfillment by Jesus
Scientific authenticity in its teachings and incidental statements
Saved Lives over the centuries

If all this is true, then the Christian Worldview is the right Worldview!

SUMMARY

Q1. So, why am I a Christian?

THE MOST IMPORTANT ANSWER IS THE GOSPEL MESSAGE:

Jesus died in my place, for my sins, and then resurrected in defeat of death and Satan, fulfilling all that was promised and predicted in the Old Testament, and thus providing an eternal home for all believers with Him as originally should have been in the beginning (until humans messed it up at the Fall).

Additional answers that may help plant a seed, or put a ”stone in the shoe”

Because it is true (historically, evidentially and rationally true) – Christianity is the World’s Most Testable Religion!
Because I follow Jesus and I strive to reflect His behavior (although I may fail at times, Jesus has provided for forgiveness of my sins, and I can repent and endeavor on)
Because having a Christian Worldview helps me make the best life decisions, and answer life’s most important questions using God’s Word that never fails and never changes.
Because being a Christian allows me to have a relationship with my LORD, and it gives me trust and confidence that He is with me in this life, and more importantly that I’ll be with Him in the next life (His house – Heaven).

Why do you believe what you believe?

BIBLE STUDY

THE BOOK OF EXODUS

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)

Last week we reviewed answers for #1-3 from the format (author-audience-purpose). This week we will review the first 10 chapters of Exodus from last week’s discussion that began #4, the Content part of the survey.

The following are example answers for your review (your answers may be different, but you may want to add anything here that would help you see the big picture of the book)…

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)

EXODUS

Chapter 1: The Nation of Israel grows and is enslaved and oppressed in EgyptThis chapter reviews the family of Israel as they came into Egypt from the previous book of Genesis while Joseph was in power and had favor from the Pharaoh. Fast forward about 400 years and there is a new Pharaoh/king “who did not know Joseph” (v. 8) and since the people of Israel had greatly grown in population, this Pharaoh decided to put them into “hard labor” (slavery) to keep them from rebelling if another nation attacked. This Pharaoh also made a decree to kill all the Hebrew baby boys when they are born (to decrease the nation’s population), but the midwives feared God and did not follow this command, and the LORD blessed them. However, the Pharaoh’s decree still went out to the Israelites.

Special Note: History shows us that this Pharaoh was not of semitic origin (sons of Shem) like the previous Pharaoh who knew Joseph (different family tribes, same lineage). Since this Pharaoh is thought to be of Hamitic origin (sons of Ham) the allegiance to him would not be the same from the people of Israel (and vice-versa), and this is probably why he feared them joining up with another nation to overthrow this Egyptian government.

Chapter 2: The birth and rescue of Moses; Moses flees to Midian

Here we read about the birth of Moses, and under the threat of death (which was to throw the baby boys into the Nile River), Moses’ Mom and Sister devise a plan to save him. They place him in a basket, in the Nile River, where it appears they knew the Pharoah’s daughter would be, and with God’s hand upon them, the Pharoah’s daughter recovered Moses and even pays his own mother to wean him! The narrative abruptly fast-forwards to a time when Moses was grown, and upon seeing an Egyptian beating a Hebrew man, Moses kills and buries the Egyptian. Because of this act, as he is found out, Moses is forced to flee into the wilderness where he ends up in the land of Midian and is taken in by the Priest of Midian (after rescuing his seven daughters from harassing shepherds), and he marries one of the daughters, Zipporah, and has two sons. Meanwhile, back in Egypt, that Pharaoh dies and the people of Israel begin to call on the LORD to deliver them from bondage (as a new Pharaoh has taken over); and now God begins to enact His rescue plan for this nation.

Note: “God remembered them;” “God took notice of them” – does not mean God had forgotten, but that this was now the time God would act as the narrator (Moses) would put the wording in the language people would understand.

Special Note: There is evidence from Egyptian history that this particular Pharaoh, when Moses was born, had a daughter who could not have children, and her recovery and adoption of Moses would have allowed her to have an heir to the throne of Pharaoh at some point later on. (Moses’ name means “drawn out of the water”)

C = v. 24

JP/JF = Moses near death as a baby

Chapter 3: Moses meets God (in the burning bush); God’s Rescue Plan for Israel

In this chapter Moses meets God (YHWH) in a “Theophany/Christophany” of a burning bush on the “Mountain of God”, and it is here that we learn about the name of God YHWH = “I AM, WHO I AM.” God gives Moses His plan of action and sends Moses on a rescue mission to deliver the people of Israel and take them to the Promised Land.

Special Note: It is interesting that Jesus will use the “I AM” claims in the New Testament, especially in the Gospel of John where John is writing to affirm and confirm the Deity of Jesus. We can also note God’s prophetic ability in verses 19-22 when He says “I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go” and God tells Moses about the miracles that He would enact until the Pharaoh lets them go. God even tells Moses that the people of Egypt will give the people of Israel silver, gold and clothing when they leave – and it all happens!

C = v. 6, 8, 17

JA = v. 2-6

Chapter 4: Moses’ Reluctance; God Empowers Moses and Aaron’s Role is Established

Moses argues his weaknesses (excuses) with God and God shows Moses how to use his staff and some of the other things God would miraculously do in front of the people of Israel and Pharaoh. However, Moses continues to show his reluctance by saying that he was not a good speaker, and God, in His foreknowledge, tells Moses that He has already commissioned his brother Aaron to help him. Moses then tells his father-in-law that he must return to Egypt and he takes his wife and sons along. It is at the end of this chapter we find a strange story about God wanting to kill Moses as it appears he did not circumcise his son (but his wife does it for him and averts God’s wrath), and thus we learn how serious God takes the Covenant Promise and obedience by his chosen people.

JP/JF = v. 22-23

Chapter 5: God Sends Moses to Pharaoh; Pharaoh Increases the People’s Labor

In this chapter Moses and Aaron go to the Pharaoh and ask for the people to be allowed to go and celebrate a feast to the LORD (as the LORD had told Moses to do), with the threat of pestilence and sword if they did not go, but the Pharaoh refused and dramatically increased the people’s labor requirements to an impossible level. Even the leaders of Israel now grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and Moses sought, questioned and pleaded with the LORD (who will begin to act in the next chapter).

Chapter 6: God Promises Action; A Review of the Genealogies of Israel

In the first part of this chapter God reaffirms to Moses what He will do to Pharaoh, and He reconfirms His promise to Abraham concerning the Land and His promise of protection. Then God charged Moses and Aaron to proclaim that they should bring “Israel” out of the land of Egypt. Then in the second half of the chapter we get a genealogy of the first three sons/tribes of Israel and specifically for the tribe of Levi to confirm Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership.

Note: Genealogies are important throughout the Old Testament to show not only tribe affiliation, and roles in the Nation, but to help us follow the “Seed Promise” which is also known as the Scarlet Thread of Jesus – this particular list was focused on Moses and Aaron’s priestly line and leadership role in the tribe of Levi. Judah, as we will see, is the Promised line.

C = v. 4, 7, 8

Chapter 7: God Foretells What Will Happen in Egypt; Aaron’s Rod Becomes a Serpent; The Plagues Begin – Water is Turned to Blood

In this chapter God tells Moses what was going to happen in advance with the Pharaoh (God’s foreknowledge), and Moses and Aaron obey God and go to the Pharaoh. Before the plagues begin Moses and Aaron, by the hand of God, turn Aaron’s staff into a serpent, and then back, but the wise men and sorcerers of Egypt were able to do the same thing, however, Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs! Then the first plague is enacted where, by the touch of Aaron’s staff, the waters, including that of the Nile, was turned to blood. However, the magicians of Egypt were able to do the same thing, and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.

Note: There are many thoughts on the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. We can note that in verse 14 God tells them that Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn (something he was already predisposed to), and we will note times where the text says Pharaoh hardens his own heart, and sometimes it is just hardened, and later that God hardened it (as we see He had given him plenty of time to repent). Some commentaries point out that in the Hebrew “hardened” means unresponsive, in other words he just didn’t care, as God had foretold.

Chapter 8: More Plagues – Frogs Over the Land; the Plague of Insects

In this chapter, the plagues begin to escalate with the plague of frogs that came up out of the Nile and invaded the land, the people and their homes, but the magicians could also do the same with their “secret art” (but why would they want more frogs to invade?), and the Pharaoh asked Moses and Aaron to entreat God to make it stop, and they did, yet the Pharaoh again hardened his heart. The third plague was an infestation of insects (gnats) and this time the magicians could not duplicate it and even told the Pharaoh that “this was the finger of God” and yet it says the Pharoah’s heart was hardened. The fourth plague seemed to then come immediately with additional insects (most likely flies), but this time the plague would not affect the people of Israel in the land of Goshen. Moses’ request to let the people leave and sacrifice to the LORD was accepted by Pharaoh, but when the insects were removed the Pharaoh “hardened his heart” again and did not let the people go.

Chapter 9: More Plagues – Livestock Dies; Boils Break out; Hailstorm Kills Slaves and Animals

In this chapter we get more plagues with increasing intensity and an increase in the Pharaoh’s hardening of heart. Plague five is pestilence on the livestock in the field (horses, donkeys, camels, herds and flocks), but only on the Egyptians. The sixth plague was of boils that, again, only affected the Egyptian people and beasts. It is here, in verse 12 that we see the phrase, “And the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” The plague of hail was next, and the people who did not regard the LORD remained in the field with their beasts, and were killed by the severe hailstorm, but not in the land of Goshen. This hail also struck every plant and shattered every tree of the field, and this time the Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned this time,” and he said he would let them go, but as soon as the plague ceased, again “he hardened his heart, he and his servants.”

Chapter 10: More Plagues – Locust and Darkness Over the Land

In this chapter we get two more plagues before the last and final one. The plague of locust causes the rest of the food to be wiped out, but this time the Pharaoh tried to make a deal for only the men to leave, but Moses said all the people and their possession had to go out and Pharaoh gave a hard no. Thus, the locust came and Pharaoh again said to Moses and Aaron that he had sinned and to have the LORD stop the plague, which they did and again Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. The ninth plague was the plague of darkness over the land for three days, so thick was the darkness they could not see one another, but not in the land of Goshen. Again, Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let them leave, and this time he says (vs. 28-29) “Get away from me! Beware, do not see my face again, for in the day you see my face you shall die.! Moses said, you are right; I shall never see your face again!” (and he doesn’t)

Note: Scholars have shown that these nine plagues seem to be specifically designed to show the power of the one true God (YHWH) over the gods of Egypt which included the river god, the god of the Nile, the sun and moon gods, etc… The final plague (Ch. 11-12) is designed to also show YHWH’s ultimate power and authority over their most precious god, the Pharaoh and his descendants, as well as to foreshadow a much more important event to come.

HOMEWORK:

In your own words, answer Q1: WHY ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?

(you can use the class notes to help you formulate your response)

Read Exodus chapters 11-20 and do the following:

This would continue #4 – Content for the Bible survey format…

Write a title for each chapter (could include more than one depending on topics in that chapter).
Going Deeper: Take notes to summarize the chapter (no more than three to five sentences).
Advanced: If you notice something related to a covenant of God (made back in Genesis) put a C; or something related to Jesus put a JA, JF or JP next to the chapter.
Extra: If you find a verse/passage that you’d like to remember, highlight it and note it in your summary.

Some helpful notes:

Keep in mind that the Old Testament is mainly a “historical narrative” and it is important to get the big picture of that narrative before doing deeper dives into particular topics or questions. Remember to use #8 “The Shelf” to jot down any questions, concerns or comments you want to look at later on, or discuss deeper – this will help keep you focused on the big picture survey of the book, and how it fits into the overall narrative of the Bible in whole.

As you read and study look for the following things:

C = Covenant

The Adamic Covenant: The Genesis 3:15 “Seed” promise that would be carried through the Nation of Israel culminating in the person of Jesus
The Abrahamic Covenant: The Genesis 12 promise God made to Abraham is unconditional in the sense that God would fulfill it, but God also gave a requirement of circumcision that would be a sign of His people’s obedience to Him under this covenant. It encompassed three things:

A Nation
Land
Blessing

The Mosaic Covenant will be presented in the later part of the book of Exodus and it will further unfold the Abrahamic Covenant, but will be a conditional covenant specifically for the Nation of Israel to function governmentally, societally and morally:

The Law will set them apart from the other nations as a representative of the one true God
The expectation is obedience to the Law and consequences as the result of disobedience (and they will fail, thus showing them, and us, the need for a savior and redeemer = Jesus)
The Law will, in many ways, will foreshadow the coming Messiah, Jesus

JA = Jesus Appearance (Any human appearance of God, or specifically “The Angel of God” where a human bows before Him and the worship is accepted).

JF = Jesus Foreshadowed (A person or event that “pictures” something Jesus would be or do)

JP = Jesus Prophecy (A specific prophecy about a coming Messiah, or of an event in Jesus’ time, or attribute that Jesus would have)

Extra: Mark any special verses or passages or events you’d like to remember.

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