P ATH FROM SKEPTICISM TO C HRISTLIFE You are the light of the world. Mt.5.14

I P ATH P ATH FROM SKEPTICISM TO C HRISTLIFE iNvite Skeptics see the path iNcrease Skeptics return iNvolve Skeptics believe iNvest Believers commit Christlife: Walk the Way, Embrace the Truth, Live with God

S TAGES OF B ELIEF Isa 65:1 "I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.' Opposed Open Seek Believe Devote

M YTHS A BOUT S KEPTICS From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:26-27 Skeptics are anti-spiritual Skeptics are immoral or amoral Skeptics are very bright

C HARACTERISTICS OF A S KEPTICAL A GE More aware of doubt than guilt Tend to be less trusting Seeking life before death Ignorant of basic Christianity Negative image of church Sense multiple alienations Sense a loss of control Looking for the door

R ESPONDING TO S KEPTICS He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

R ESPONDING TO S KEPTICS He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Mic 6:8

I N VITING S K EPTICS Doubt trumps guilt Tend to be less trusting Seeking life before death Ignorant of basic Christianity Negative image of church Sense multiple alienations Sense a loss of control Looking for the door Skeptical Age

T ARGETING THE P ATH TO C HRIST There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Rom Devotion Gospel Culture Image

P RAYER OF S AINT F RANCIS “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jn Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.

G OSPEL OF N EW L IFE God created all people for Life. People have forfeited life through sin. God came in Christ to offer people New Life. People can receive New Life by turning from sin, to Christ in the New Life community. People living New Life are called to be faithful and life giving in all relationships.

I N VITING S K EPTICS Listen and understand Their Turf, not yours Friend, not adversary Involve in action Find the pain, Christ heals Address doubts Share alternative truth Patiently invite next step

S OME R ESOURCES Francis, Collins. Language of God. McGrath, Alister. Mere Apologetics. Stroble, Lee. Case for Christ. Flew, Antony. There Is A God. Apologetics.org Reasons.org Hunter, George. How to Reach Secular People. Lyons, Gabe. Next Christians. UnChristian (D. Kinnaman) Little, Paul. Know What/Why You Believe; How to Give Away Your Faith. Apologetics

Y OU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD ! The path from skepticism to Christlife