Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 1 Implementing an Apologetics/ Discernment Ministry

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 2 Motive Motive LOVE LOVE

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 3Mission With a central focus on the person of Jesus Christ and a complete dependence on his grace we must seek: With a central focus on the person of Jesus Christ and a complete dependence on his grace we must seek: To Equip the body of Christ with a reasoned defense of the truthTo Equip the body of Christ with a reasoned defense of the truth To Engage the culture in loveTo Engage the culture in love To Effectively evangelize those without ChristTo Effectively evangelize those without Christ Do this by: Do this by: Sharing common goals and resources with other “like-minded” ministries in a collaborative effort Sharing common goals and resources with other “like-minded” ministries in a collaborative effort Plant in the Local church effective ministries focused on a biblically mandated defense of the Christian faith Plant in the Local church effective ministries focused on a biblically mandated defense of the Christian faith Provide a correct understanding of the Christian’s worldview Provide a correct understanding of the Christian’s worldview Act as an enabler to provide an effective evangelistic effort to the society in which we live Act as an enabler to provide an effective evangelistic effort to the society in which we live

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 4 Primary Objectives: Objective #1: To equip the body of Christ to present a reasonable defense of Christianity by:Objective #1: To equip the body of Christ to present a reasonable defense of Christianity by: Establishing and cementing the basics in essential biblical truths Establishing and cementing the basics in essential biblical truths Enabling disciples to meet the assault of humanistic and post modern reasoning Enabling disciples to meet the assault of humanistic and post modern reasoning Preparing for evangelism in a culture where a belief in God is not already foundational Preparing for evangelism in a culture where a belief in God is not already foundational Making available Biblical and Apologetic resources Making available Biblical and Apologetic resources Fostering discernment skills within the body to protect and defend from false beliefs Fostering discernment skills within the body to protect and defend from false beliefs Objective #2: To Engage the culture and carry the message of Christ by:Objective #2: To Engage the culture and carry the message of Christ by: Discussing relevant cultural concerns Discussing relevant cultural concerns Showing unbelievers that Christianity is supported by history, scientific evidence, logic and reason, etc. Showing unbelievers that Christianity is supported by history, scientific evidence, logic and reason, etc. Tearing down the walls of false beliefs Tearing down the walls of false beliefs Defending the Christian message from misinterpretation and erroneous thinking Defending the Christian message from misinterpretation and erroneous thinking Presenting the good news of Christ in cultural terms Presenting the good news of Christ in cultural terms

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 5 Five Reasons Why We Need Apologetics Five Reasons Why We Need Apologetics First we are commanded to defend the faith: First we are commanded to defend the faith: 1 Peter 3:15 says, "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.“ 1 Peter 3:15 says, "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.“ Second, we need apologetics because there is a constant, growing threat of apostasy within the church. Second, we need apologetics because there is a constant, growing threat of apostasy within the church. 2 Pet 2:1 says,” But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Pet 2:1 says,” But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Third, we need apologetics because it provides the cement that helps Christians know their faith. Third, we need apologetics because it provides the cement that helps Christians know their faith. Fourth, we need apologetics because of the external threats from other religious and the culture at large. Fourth, we need apologetics because of the external threats from other religious and the culture at large. 1 John 5:19 says, ” We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. Fifth, apologetics reinforce the evangelical part of our mission. Fifth, apologetics reinforce the evangelical part of our mission.

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 6 Values of an Apologetics Ministry TruthTruth Sharing (I Peter 3:15)Sharing (I Peter 3:15) Protecting / DefenseProtecting / Defense DiscernmentDiscernment Serve & Equip the ChurchServe & Equip the Church OutreachOutreach Love God with all your mind / Renewing the mindLove God with all your mind / Renewing the mind Be TransformedBe Transformed Necessity for GraceNecessity for Grace Practical / Relevant (to current society)Practical / Relevant (to current society) Teaching (training)Teaching (training) “The pastor and church that learn to use apologetics in its proper place will find that it becomes a very effective handmaiden to evangelism.” Apologist Peter J. Grant

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 7 How

8 Equip Existing Ministries / Support Others in the Church EducationDiscipleshipMissions Adult Education Youth Small Groups Evangelism Community Outreach Foreign Missions Discernment / Apologetics Ministry Counter Cult Ministries College Ministry Media Library Elementary Education Public Worship

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 9 Start Young Start Young Coordinate with Sunday School Director Coordinate with Sunday School Director Occasional “Spots” in Elementary Worship Occasional “Spots” in Elementary Worship Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School Curriculum Inserts Curriculum Inserts Worldview Primer Worldview Primer How to Watch a Movie How to Watch a Movie Parent Training Parent Training Discernment / Apologetics Ministry ElementaryEducation

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 10 Comprehensive Reasonable Faith Course Comprehensive Reasonable Faith Course Cycle (Every 2 –3 years) Cycle (Every 2 –3 years) Bi-Monthly Updates, Topics Bi-Monthly Updates, Topics Available Curriculum Available Curriculum Evangelism Training Evangelism Training Provide Resources, Contact Person for ?’s Provide Resources, Contact Person for ?’s Graduation Gift –Must Have Resources Graduation Gift –Must Have Resources Teacher Training Resources Teacher Training Resources Parents & Leaders take convincing Parents & Leaders take convincing “BreakPoints” “BreakPoints” Field Trips Field Trips Mock Drills Mock Drills Discernment / Apologetics Ministry Youth

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 11 Develop College Level Class Series Develop College Level Class Series College Support Groups College Support Groups Intellectual Mentoring Intellectual Mentoring Events, Speaking Events, Speaking Newsletter or Websites geared to Students Out of Town Newsletter or Websites geared to Students Out of Town Discernment / Apologetics Ministry CollegeMinistry

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 12 Hermeneutics Hermeneutics Ethical Issues Ethical Issues New Believer Training New Believer Training Work with Existing Teachers Work with Existing Teachers Adult Education Adult Education Discernment / Apologetics Ministry Adult Education

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 13 Regular Articles – Church Newsletter, etc. Regular Articles – Church Newsletter, etc. Book Reviews Book Reviews Build Discernment/Apologetics Library Build Discernment/Apologetics Library Promote Resources –Display Prominently Promote Resources –Display Prominently Discernment / Apologetics Ministry Media /Library

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 14 Train Leaders in Discernment/Apologetics Train Leaders in Discernment/Apologetics Provide Curriculum/Resources for Groups Provide Curriculum/Resources for Groups Evangelism Training Evangelism Training Sponsor Outreach Groups Sponsor Outreach Groups Offer to Teach Group for 2 Months± Offer to Teach Group for 2 Months± Revitalize Groups/Mid-Week Meetings Revitalize Groups/Mid-Week Meetings Discernment / Apologetics Ministry Small Groups

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 15 Community Outreach Community Outreach Street Evangelism Street Evangelism Methods/Tactics Methods/Tactics Lifestyle Evangelism Lifestyle Evangelism Discernment / Apologetics Ministry Local Evangelism

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 16 Apologists are Part of Missions Team Apologists are Part of Missions Team Boundaries are Ideological not Geographical Boundaries are Ideological not Geographical Develop with Missions Leader Develop with Missions Leader Help Establish Church Vision for Missions Help Establish Church Vision for Missions Sending Resources for Overseas Partners Sending Resources for Overseas Partners Sponsor Apologist as Missionary Sponsor Apologist as Missionary World Religions Training World Religions Training Pre-Trip Evaluation/EquippingPre-Trip Evaluation/Equipping Overview ResourcesOverview Resources Cult TacticsCult Tactics Discernment / Apologetics Ministry ForeignMissions

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 17 Awareness Classes Awareness Classes What is “Popular” in Your Area? What is “Popular” in Your Area? Evangelism Aids Evangelism Aids Coordinate with Oversees Missions Groups Coordinate with Oversees Missions Groups Assimilation of Ex-Cult Members Assimilation of Ex-Cult Members Support Groups Support Groups Don’t Under-Estimate Challenges Don’t Under-Estimate Challenges Find Professional Counselors in Your Area Adequate in Cult/Abuse Issues Find Professional Counselors in Your Area Adequate in Cult/Abuse Issues Use as a Spring Board Use as a Spring Board Discernment / Apologetics Ministry CounterCult

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 18 Guest Speakers Guest Speakers Pastor Preach Series on Tough Questions (FAQ) Pastor Preach Series on Tough Questions (FAQ) Dramatized Skits & Plays Dramatized Skits & Plays Publicly Pray For and Commission Apologists Publicly Pray For and Commission Apologists Church Wide Reading Campaign (can be made available via book or internet) Church Wide Reading Campaign (can be made available via book or internet) Discernment / Apologetics Ministry PublicWorship

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 19 Invite Guest Speakers Invite Guest Speakers Seminars, Workshops Seminars, Workshops Surveys, Research Surveys, Research Media Spots before Services Media Spots before Services Bulletin Quips Bulletin Quips Occasional Sermons Occasional Sermons Issue Awareness Issue Awareness Discernment/Apologetics Ministry

Created by Hiram E. Sutton of Layman Perspective Discernment Ministry 20 For Questions or Help in Setting up an Apologetics Ministry Contact Hiram Sutton via at “laymanperspective.com”