Let us reason together

Defending the faith

Welcome and thank you for coming.

If this is your first time - don’t sweat it - tonight we’re just getting started.

But if you are new, introduce yourselves.

Name and why this interests you.

Things to have: Bring Bibles and Journals.

Your assignment was to write down your defense in your journal.

Now I apologize for any confusion - its one of the reasons I’m doing this - so I can communicate better

Share why you believe in Jesus in under five minutes.

OR our general testimony as to why we believe in Jesus.

If you misunderstood, I apologize. Just read what you have and keep under five minutes max.

The reason is for us to practice getting the point.

Later on we will do the one minute response.

You see, its easy to share together but we want to learn how to share with strangers when we have a short time.

Larry may have some tools for us to consider.

But Charlie Kirk gave great advice.

1] Have a journal

2] write down the topic

3] write out your defense over and over until its convincing

4] read it aloud over and over

5] try to memorize it

6] play the devil’s advocate to argue your own view

As we keep practicing we can later tackle the cults, religions, views of prophecy, but the purpose is to learn the art of debate when you have very little time to explain it.

As we get used to this we will memorize our defense and then a one minute response

1] The one minute response and usual time we might have with someone - Matt 8:19-22 - I will follow you but....the Son of Man has no place to lay His head...to the scribe he made the point that it won’t be a life of comfort!

I will follow you but...this man who wanted to “wait” until he can bury his parents he said Let the dead bury the dead, you follow Me!

2] The five minute response - Mark 10:17–22 - Rich young ruler

3] Longer discussion - rare John 3:1-21 - Nicodemus got three responses

a] you must be born again b] unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. c] those who practice the truth come to the light

I encourage you to read these passages to see our Master in action.

Also Acts 24-26 you will read Paul’s defense

Acts 17

The scientific term is "maintenance rehearsal"

1] The production effect: Research has found that saying words aloud can improve memory compared to reading them silently.

2] Active recall - Test yourself by reciting your statement from memory rather than merely rereading it.

3] Spaced repetition Review your statement at increasing intervals daily several times which is one of the most effective memorization methods.

So in our next class be ready to read it to us out loud and then the following week we will do it from memory.

And with the help of the Holy Spirit I’d like to allow Him to take this class where he wants it!