This week we are starting a new class called “A Case for the Old Testament.” This class will combine Christian Apologetics with Bible study as we look at tough questions asked of Christians concerning the Old Testament. We will also look at the importance of Christians studying the Old Testament, because if you really want to know Jesus it cannot be unhinged from His life, death and teachings in the New Testament.

You can view part 1 of the introduction here with the notes from the presentation below:

Overview notes from the presentation:

The “Case for Christianity” series of classes

These classes are the focus of this website and ministry. We present these classes (in no particular order) on a rotating basis. Classes are updated with new and exciting information and evidence each time around:

1. A Case for Christianity
2. A Case for the Bible
3. A Case for Creation
4. A Case for the Old Testament
5. A Case for Christ and the New Testament

Reflection

Before starting this class reflect on these two questions:

1. Have you studied the Old Testament before, and if so, what are some things that stood out as important?
2. Are there questions that you hope to have answered about the Old Testament in this study?

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 these four important life skills:

1. Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; John 17)
2. Proper Biblical interpretation through the use of hermeneutics (Matthew 22:37;2 Timothy 2:15)
3. An apologetic defense of the historicity, inerrancy and inspiration of the Christian Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
4. 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)
• 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)

Practicing the Biblical Christian Worldview

Make a commitment to these four practices over the course of this next year and see how your joy, peace and confidence level grows!

1. PRAYER (Talking to our Father God, growing closer to Jesus through the Holy Spirit)
2. HERMENEUTICS (Proper Bible reading, studying and meditating upon Scripture)
3. APOLOGETICS (Defending the faith – learning to know what you believe and why you believe it so you can correctly answer the questions asked of Christians by culture today)
4. DISCIPLESHIP (Sharing what you learn with others, and doing life with fellow Christian brothers and sisters)

This life is temporal—eternity is forever.

Own your faith!

Know what you believe and why you believe it!

Then share it with others!

Why do we need to become Biblically literate Christians in our culture today?

Studies show:

• Upward of 70% of young people between the ages of 18-30 are leaving the faith
• Less than one-third return as they age
• the religious category of “none” on surveys is the third largest category worldwide
• Only 17% of practicing Christians actually have a “Biblical Worldview”
• Statistics show the top two categories of social media literature today are either in some form of pornography or religion

What side of the battle will you be on?

Resources for the Next Generation

• Summit Ministries and student conferences: https://www.summit.org/
• Impact 360 Institute: https://www.impact360institute.org/
• ReThink Apologetics student conferences: Sponsored by https://www.str.org/
• Ratio Christi (Christian Apologetics’ Campus Ministry): https://ratiochristi.org/

What these groups offer can help serve as an entry point to exploring the truths of the Bible in an exciting and relevant way for the next generation and beyond

Why should we study the Bible?

1. It gives us direction in life
2. It protects us from sin
3. It protects us from temptation
4. It will help us to become more like Jesus
5. It will help us discern Biblical error

Biblical reasons we should know the Bible

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.  Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NASB)

The Great Commandment:

And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:37-40 (NASB)

My son, keep my words and treasure my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live, and my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your intimate friend, so that they may keep you from an adulteress, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.  Proverbs 7:1-5 (NASB)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)

All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)

Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.  1 Peter 1:22-25 (NASB)

The Apologetics’ Commission:

And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.  1 Peter 3:13-17 (NASB)

The Great Commission:

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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 follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB)

THE BIBLE GIVES US INSIGHT AND TRUTH,

WE NEED TO SPEND TIME WITH IT!

Be wise and discerning

• Even solid Christians can be brainwashed and fall prey to Satan’s deceptions:
• Jesus warns us in Matthew 24:22, that in the last days “even the elect might be deceived”
• And, Paul cautions believers in Colossians 2:8 by saying, “see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”

Always put on “The Full Armor of God”

Spiritual warfare is real, if we don’t pray for protection, and be aware of the battle, we will fall to the wiles of the Devil:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NASB)

How do we become Biblically literate Christians?

1. Make it a priority to read and study your Bible (daily if possible)
2. Schedule the time – if you don’t you will never get to it!
3. Be discerning in your choice of teachers and commentaries
4. Learn how to study the Word (Hermeneutics)

Practice Quiz: Review of Session 1