This week we are starting our new class, “A Case for the New Testament” along with a study in the book of Acts. Over the next several weeks the posts will include the video presentation based on the class, video clips and recommended resources from top Christian teachers and apologists. There will also be some reflections for memorization and questions for the Bible study. In addition, we will put out answers to the weekly Bible study on a separate post during the week so you can check your answers, and those posts will be titled “Answers For A Study in the Book of Acts.”
Overview notes from the presentation
Recommendations for optional resources to help you study:
To build on your knowledge, and your Christian library, the following are recommended resources and people to help in your journey of faith…
Apps and websites for our New Testament Case building:
Free app with multiple Bible versions, commentaries, articles and study ideas
Quick answers to hundreds of tough questions asked of Christianity
J. Warner Wallace’s website and app with hundreds of short articles, videos, podcast and so much more – focus is on Christian case-making and the historicity of the Bible, specifically the New Testament
Apologetics, Christian philosophy and tough answers to important questions asked in the culture today, always from a Christian worldview
Similar to str.org with a focus on truth from a Biblical Christian worldview
Bible teaching, apologetic answers and resources from a Christian Pastor with a strong Biblical worldview
This website of course! Your class website for all things Bible and Apologetics
Study Bibles:
Most recommended: Life Application Study Bible in the NASB, NIV or NLT version
Throw away your daily devotionals and read your Bible daily! Life Application Study Bibles are a good compromise between Bible reading and a daily devotional. You get more Bible, some study notes and a little commentary on how we can apply it to our life!
(For these presentations we are mainly using the NASB, unless otherwise noted)
Additional Study Resources:
Rose Publishing – Maps, charts, timelines and overviews
“Essential Bible Companion Series”, by John H. Walton, Mark L. Strauss and Ted Cooper Jr.
These books will help with your culture and background investigation – easy read with plenty of visuals!
Supplemental books and speakers/authors to follow:
“A Case for Christ” or “A Case for the Real Jesus” by Lee Strobel
“Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus” or “No God but One” by Nabeel Qureshi
“Cold Case Christianity” by J. Warner Wallace (he also has a new one coming out this September called “Person of Interest” – see the website for pre-order information)
“The Emamus Code” By David Limbaugh
Top New Testament Christian Scholars and Apologists (In addition to the above):
- William Lane Craig
- Dan Wallace
- Gary Habermas
- Mike Licona
- T. Wright
- Josh McDowell
- Sean McDowell
Note: Most of these authors have numerous books and can be found on YouTube and Podcasts as well, if you prefer listening or watching presentations.
A bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t!
Ministry Statement
The purpose of this ministry 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 developing our Christian walk through:
- Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; John 17)
- Proper Biblical interpretation through the use of hermeneutics (Matthew 22:37; 2 Timothy 2:15)
- An apologetic 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. (Jn. 14)
- This ministry is committed to providing Biblical truths based on the entirety of Scripture—both Old and New Testaments. (Matthew 5:17-18; 2 Peter 1:16-19)
- This ministry believes that 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?” (Mark 8:27-29; John 14:6-7)
Class Moto
This life is temporal—eternity is forever.
Own your faith!
Know what you believe and why you believe it!
Then share it with others!
Reflection
Review the Ministry Statement’s four focus points for your Christian Walk. Reflect on how you think you are doing in each area, or how you might make improvements.
Bible Study
Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us.
NOTE: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions.
Read the entire book in one sitting if you can to get the big picture before diving into a chapter by chapter study. Also, it is important to do a little background work using some basic hermeneutic principles:
- Who was the author? What do we know about him, and did he author any other books of the Bible?
- Who was the audience? What was going on in the culture at that time that would have affected, or been significant factors in the lives of the audience?
- What was the date of the events, and the date the book was written? How can we know?
- What was the purpose and genre of the writing? Were there events or situations going on that prompted the author to write this book?
- Discuss: What are some things that you already know about this book (basic outline, key people and places, etc.)?
Join us next week as we continue our introduction to “A Case for the New Testament”!
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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
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