1. Tactics : A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions

2. “we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” -Apostle Paul

3. An ambassador needs three tools: 1. Knowledge 2. Wisdom 3. Character

4. TACTIC #1- Ask Probing Questions Key to the tactic- go on the offensive in an inoffensive way by using questions that productively advance the discussion

5. The Power of Asking Questions 1. Questions take the pressure off 2. Questions put you in control 3. Questions give us valuable information 4. Questions stimulate thinking 5. Questions get people to open up 6. Questions help people persuade themselves

6. I. Use questions to gather information What do you mean by that? What do you believe? Can you please explain further? Do you mean that...? So you think that…?

7. I. Use questions to gather information “I don’t trust the Bible because humans wrote it” “A good God would never send people to hell” “It’s wrong for Christians to force their views on people”

8. II. Use questions to enforce the burden of proof How did you come to that conclusion? Why do you believe that? Do you have any reason to think that? Can you provide some evidence? Where did you read that?

9. II. Use questions to enforce the burden of proof General rule- whoever makes the claim/ opinion/ point of view bears the burden of proof Assertion- simply stating a point Argument- stating a point and giving supporting evidence/ reasons

10. II. Use questions to enforce the burden of proof When listening to the response, ask yourself: a. Is this possible? b. Is this probable?

11. II. Use questions to enforce the burden of proof “The Bible has been changed many times” “I don’t go to church because all Christians are hypocrites and judgmental” “God is not worthy of worship if he kills people” “The universe is eternal and doesn’t need God”

12. TACTIC #2- Expose Self- Refuting Arguments Key to the tactic- If you find a self-refuting idea (whether logical or practical), expose it, and the argument self-destructs!

13. TACTIC #2- Expose Self-Refuting Arguments Ask yourself: a. Does the statement include itself? b. Is universality used? c. Does it go against reality?

14. TACTIC #2- Expose Self-Refuting Arguments a. there is no absolute truth b. You can’t know anything for sure c. You can only know truth from experience d. You Christians shouldn’t judge e. You Christians should tolerate people that are different f. God doesn’t take sides g. Only science gives reliable truth h. No one can know any truth about religion i. Nothing can be known of reality

15. TACTIC #3- Test the Proposed Ideas Key to the tactic- For the sake of the argument, agree with the proposed position and reduce the argument to an absurd conclusion

16. TACTIC #3- Test the Proposed Ideas Do the following: Step 1- Hypothetically agree with the proposed position Step 2- Give the idea a “test drive” Step 3- Follow the idea to its absurd conclusion

17. TACTIC #3- Test the Proposed Ideas a. Moral relativism- morality is culturally conditioned d. True for you, but not for me b. Abortion- “women have the right to choose” c. Homosexuality- “they are born that way so that’s ok” e. Against capital punishment, “Jesus would forgive”