relationships
the new apologetic of our day
every generation and culture has questions concerning faith. it is the challenge of Christ-followers in every generation and culture to know those questions and answer them. the current generation of 20-40 year olds is not asking the same question that that their parents asked.
their parents wanted to know about the believe-ability of the Bible – could it be trusted? before they could believe, they wanted understanding. this is not the question of a new generation. after an era of fallen Christian leaders, ego-driven television ministries, denominations, condemnation, and hypocrisy, a new generation is asking not if the Bible can be trusted, but if the Christian can be trusted. before they can believe, they have to trust the messenger.
when they sense authenticity, genuineness, and acceptance relationally, then they open their hearts and minds to the reality of a God who loves them. this is the great apologetic of our day. the believe-ability of Christianity begins not with the doctrine, but with the relational grace shown by Christ-followers.
the apologetics of this day are not discovered in books, sermons, or condemnation. they are understood in relationships. they are understood in acceptance, intentional love, sacrificial service to others, and in humility.
the greatest message to a world in question and in need is not heard in sermons but lived out in the lives of Christ-followers in their everyday actions. will we show the acceptance of Christ that we talk so often about?
want to read more?
download our leaders manual for more info about our community group vision and strategy.
resources:
- icebreakers/teambuilders for community groups
- 40 icebreakers for community groups
- Bible study methods
- CORE Discipleship FREE e-books (outside source)
- Small Group Materials from Lifechurch.tv
- 10 steps to setting goals (from Mark Batterson’s Wild Goose Chase)
- The Gypsy Road – Small Group Blog of Serendipity
- what is a pastor?
- symbol study ::
- arrow pointing up – write something theses verses tell us about Jesus/God
- arrow pointing down – write something these verses tell us about human nature
- light bulb – write down any new discovery you have made reading these verses
- exclamation mark – write down the most exciting verse in your opinion and why
- question mark – write anything you don’t understand or want to ask about
- arrow pointing to side – write down something these verses say we should do
