Engage Week 1

Defense Week 1 Step 1 1 Peter 3:15(nasb) 15 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, yet with gentleness and reverence; a) Sanctify- to set apart b) Make a "defense" this word is used in the informal sense- Peter is insisting that the believer must understand 1) what he believes and why he is a Christian and 2) then be able to share that belief humbly, thoughtfully, reasonably, and biblically c) The hope- Step 2 Colossee- faced false religion-gnosticism-judiaism Colossians 4:6(nasb) 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. a) Grace- to speak with spiritual, wholesome, kind sensitive, purposeful, complimentary, gentle truthful, loving- thoughtful b) Seasoned with salt- salt flavors and prevents corruption- the Christians speech should act only as a blessing to others but as a purifying influence within this decaying world Step 3 Joshua 1:8 (nlt) 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. The Reasons Does the average "non" Christian" meet a thinking Christian? Matthew 22:37-40- "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Fundamentalism- The culture evolved and the church stayed behind. Cultural Trends Post Modernism- This emerged from WW1 when faith in mankind failed to do the right thing. From this Post Modernism emerged and said there is "no right thing" in other words you have your truth and I have mine. Noone is wrong Secularism- A belief life can or should be lived without religion. Secular Humanism- You combine Post Modernism and Secularism and you get Secular Humanism. They believe there is no God to appeal to, that we must solve all our own problems. Consumerism- They believe in no after life and that all hope relies on ones abilities, therefore we are "stuff driven" Spiritualism- aka New Age Movement---Always looking for the next biggest and best thing. This has crept into the church-- "Adam and Eve were placed in this world as the seed of expression of God. Just as dogs have puppies and cats have kittens, so God has little gods, until we comprehend that we are little gods, we cannot manifest the kingdom of God, you are a God kind of creature." "When God looks into the mirror He sees me when I look into the mirror I see Him." Christian Atheist- SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN GOD, BUT LIVES AS IF HE DOESN'T EXIST. 1. The Rise of Digital Community and Loneliness People are more connected than ever-but at the same time more isolated than ever. Social media, gaming communities, and online forums have created digital spaces for virtual relationships, yet depression and loneliness are at all-time highs. The world is craving deep, meaningful connection. 2. Changing Views on Identity and Belonging From gender and sexuality to political and racial identity, people are searching for a place to belong. Many are defining themselves by labels, movements, and ideologies because they're desperate to know who they are and where they fit. If the church avoids these conversations, culture will answer them. How the Church Should Respond: Preach biblical identity with compassion. The answer to the identity crisis isn't a set of rules-it's a person: Jesus. 3. The Demand for Authenticity and Transparency People today can smell a fake from a mile away. They've seen leaders fall, institutions crumble, and scandals rock the church. They're not looking for polished performances-they want real, honest faith. How the Church Should Respond: Ditch the facade 4. The Decline of Institutional Trust (Yeah Churches Too!) 5. The Growing Hunger for Purpose and Meaning Despite all the distractions of modern life, people are starving for something deeper. Self-help books, meditation apps, and hustle culture are booming because people are searching for purpose. How the Church Should Respond: Stop making church about just attending a service. Teach people that following Jesus means living with radical purpose. Engage, Don't Escape Closing 1) Truth does not change, people do. We must learn how to be like Paul, all things to all people. 2) We do not imitate the culture, we create it-individually