Conversational Apologetics Class 2 Winning Disciples, Not Arguments

Our Goal… … is not to win a debate but to win a disciple for Jesus Christ. Never argue! Jesus knows His sheep; we’re trying to find them among the rest of the flock. We defend our faith WHEN ASKED! We defend our faith with gentleness and respect.

Terms… Witness  Must testify when asked.  Must have either firsthand knowledge of an event or have a report from someone with firsthand knowledge of the event. Holy Spirit is our firsthand knowledge The Bible is our first hand report Disciple  One who is being taught Actively engaged in learning

Conversational Apologetics A proactive method of finding disciples  The method is based upon asking questions of an individual accompanied by critical listening to their responses Questions are designed to breakdown the belief system of the individual  Your initial goal is to cause the individual to ask questions regarding your faith so that you can witness to them. When they ask the questions, the door is wide open to give a defense of your faith. This is the most critical part.  Your intermediate goal is for them, through God’s grace, to become a disciple of Jesus Christ with you as their teacher.  The ultimate goal is for them to use conversational apologetics as a method of finding others for them to teach

Pray for Opportunities How could God allow suffering…  …9/11  …London or Madrid train bombing  …Columbine High school  …Holocaust How can God be good if evil (sin) exists I don’t need religion  It’s just a crutch  It’s a method of controlling people  It’s goal is to make the church rich Abortion is ok Science has already proved that … I used to believe that but now… As long as I don’t bother anyone else I should be able to do what I want… People are basically good… All religions are for good and are basically the same… It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe in something… Listen for ‘Triggers’

On the Offensive… … attacking their beliefs! Ask questions to Understand them You must want to Know them and what they Believe. Use Directed Questions to help them discover the Weaknesses of their Assumptions. Caution! Avoid the use of Scripture or telling them what You Believe at this stage to refute their belief.

The 4 Principles … 1. Critical Listening.  The Reasonableness test.  Remember who has the Truth. 2. Directed Questions  Use Questions to attack Unreasonable Answers, but always with Gentleness and Respect 3. Speaking/Living  Conversational Apologetics promotes others to Question their own Assumptions and Beliefs.  Our Words and Lifestyle should provoke them to Ask what we Believe. 4. Provide a Defense.  You must Know what you Believe.  You must know that your Belief is both Reasonable and well Supported by Evidence.  Give Direct, Confident answers.