DEFENDING THE GOSPEL: GIVING REASONS FOR OUR HOPE

 

Teacher:  Bill Payne                              Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church

 

Class Description

 

The Apostle Paul was excited about defending the Gospel and encouraged by those who joined him in the task (Phil 1:7 & 16).  By the power of Christ, Paul met the objections of religious and political leaders, the intellectual elite, and those who gathered in the market place. Peter exhorts us to continue this ministry by having answers for those who question our hope (1 Pet 3:15).  The amazing message of the Gospel has always been met with tough questions.  For example, some with whom we share may question the existence of God. Others might be troubled by the message of a loving God in the face of evil and suffering.  This class will focus on the foundation of our hope and how we can answer questions and challenge those who do not share our faith.

 

Class Objectives:  By the end of this class you will have:

 

Understood the role that having reasons for hope plays in our experiencing the fullness of the Gospel, exalting God, edifying our brothers and sisters and evangelizing the lost.

 

Understood the relationship between proclamation and defense of the Gospel.

 

Been challenged to obey God in growing in our ability to give reasons for our faith.

 

Understood that our defense of the Gospel must be rooted in a sound understanding of the biblical revelation of God has given us of Himself and the true condition of human beings. 

 

Examined the extensive reasons the Bible provides for our faith.

 

Understood the need to deeply understand the hope that is with in us so that our reasons are based on sound theology.

 

Understood the key presuppositions that divide Biblical and non-Biblical worldviews.

 

Understood the different approaches to finding reasons and how they apply to different people and situations. 

 

Understand how to respond appropriately (Biblically) to questions that may hamper the faith of our brothers and sisters and are raised by those to whom we proclaim the Gospel

  • How do we know there is a God?
  • How can God allow evil and suffering in the world?
  • How do we know that the Bible is reliable?
  • How do we know that Jesus was raised from the dead?
  • Doesn’t modern science discredit the Biblical account of creation?
  • How do we know that Jesus is God?
  • What about innocent people who have never heard the message of the Gospel?

 

Suggested Texts:

 

Frame, John, Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1994.

 

Pratt, Richard, Jr.  Every Thought Captive.  Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1979

 

Other Texts

 

Additional books will be listed with the appropriate lessons.

 

Bruce, FF, The Defense of the Gospel in the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977. 

 

Web Support for Class

 

http://www.linkline.com/personal/bpayne/    This site will have class handouts and suggested web links for more information