Deeper: Apologetics Week 1 (Plan)

Deeper- Apologetics series

Part 1: What is apologetics?

Prayer

Explain that there will be an understanding alarm, if someone doesn’t get something they make a beeping sound!  Begin by asking everyone if they’ve ever been asked or questioned about there faith.

What is apologetics?

Who knows what evangelism is?  Evangelism is basically ‘the spreading of the Christian Gospel’.  There are loads of different ways to evangelise and spread the Gospel.  Apologetics is a form of evangelism.  But what does apologetics mean?  The word ‘apologetics’ comes from the Greek ‘apologia’ which means defence.  Christian apologetics is the defence of our faith, so we’re not saying sorry to anyone for being a Christian, we’re showing them why Christianity is correct.

Here’s the definition : The branch of theology that is concerned with defending or proving the truth of Christian doctrines.

When to use apologetics

When talking to people about our faith, or evangelising we won’t always need to give a detailed defence of our faith. When talking to someone who’s just lost a loved one we don’t want to go straight into showing logically why God allows suffering.  When we evangelise we should be sensitive and caring.  (1 Peter 3:15)

Our primary aim when evangelising is to present Christ, not to win an argument or put someone down but to draw non-Christians to Jesus.  But of course this does not mean that apologetics is unimportant.  Knowing how to defend your faith is all important.  It can show others that your beliefs are reasonable and support your own journey with Christ.  So if someone says to you there is no evidence for God you can show them that there is, and at the same time share the gospel with that person.

Fiiiiiiggghhhhttt!!!!!!!!!!!

Now over the next few weeks we’re going to be looking at a series of arguments for the truth of the Christian faith.  When I talk about arguments I don’t mean a fight or row but a number of defensive statements showing Christianity to be true.  Arguments are made up of sentences that lead to conclusions.  Here is an example:

1 All men are smaller than 20ft

2 Jack is a man

3 Therefore Jack is under 20ft

Ask if there are any questions on understanding at this point.

In our Christian lives where should we be using apologetics?

It is important to say at this point that ultimately our faith must come down to something more than arguments.  It is all very well and good to explain why God exists but it is another thing to experience God’s existence.  Our faith must be based in a relationship with God and must be centred on prayer and worship.  Spending time with God, reading the Bible and seeking the Holy Spirit.

(Q and A) and response and prayer