Since we're at about the mid-way point in the class for this year, I thought it would be a good opportunity to review some basic concepts about why we're here. I also wanted to share a very special message by Sean McDowell called, "What Skeptics Wish Christians Knew." This message was originally part of the 2017 AMP Conference sponsored by Reasons to Believe.
Key Themes:
OIKOS strategy for evangelism
Digging Deeper:
Web site: Check out more about Sean McDowell and his ministry to the emerging generation.
We're continuing to discuss some practical ways to engage our OIKOS. This week we're exploring some strategies when we are talking to analytical people, especially those who have de-converted from Christianity.
We're continuing to discuss some practical ways to engage our OIKOS. This week we're asking the question, How do we know if we have the correct worldview? We suggest some ways to begin testing our web of beliefs.
Key Themes:
Brief review of last week's lesson
Reasons why conversion is not a good core belief
Three worldview tests: explanatory power, correspondence test, verification test
A closer look at the verification test
The Bible vs. the Book of Mormon
A critical challenge to the Christian worldview: existential test
We're returning to the theme of OIKOS strategies. We will spend the next few weeks exploring some practical ways to engage our 8–15 in faith conversations.
This week we continued our short series on how to navigate conversations with people who hold worldview perspectives that differ from our own. This included watching a discussion with a gay man.
Key Themes:
Review:
Faith conversations need to be based on love, not "winning" arguments.
Case study: conversation with "Randy"
Digging Deeper:
Video: "Hatmaker Controversy: A Test Case in Historical Theology"
A few weeks ago, we introduced the value of historical theology, as it pertains to the codification of the doctrine of the Trinity.
This is a follow up discussion in which I use a current event to further illustrate the importance of this key concept. While conservative Protestants do not hold history as infallible or inspired, that's not to say that Protestants interpret the Bible in isolation from history either. Protestants generally give some amount of weight to the universal teaching of the church where we see it as agreeing with Scripture. This video explores that concept a little more.
This week we continued our short series on how to navigate conversations with people who hold worldview perspectives that differ from our own. This included watching a discussion with a friendly Muslim.
Key Themes:
Review:
Faith conversations need to be based on love, not "winning" arguments.
This week's conversation is the third in a series where we're laying out the critical elements that we will build on in the coming months. We dug a little deeper into the concept of worldviews. Next week, we'll begin applying these ideas to conversations with our OIKOS.
This week we're discussing some of the major challenges to reach people in our OIKOS, including students and young adults. We introduced the concept of worldviews.
Key Themes:
Who's in your OIKOS?
Why do young adults leave the church?
What is good and bad in our culture? in the Christian worldview?
