Seminars
BHIM® has developed two six-hour apologetics seminars to prepare college students to share Christ with fellow students. These seminars focus on helping students understand their friends' questions about Christianity and know how to answer those questions with gentleness and respect. Following are comments from students who have participated in the seminars:
- It has strengthened my walk with God by introducing me to greater understanding of how to communicate my faith with respect and love
- This time has made me feel more comfortable about sharing (Christ) and has better prepared me to share Him with others.
- I've learned how to ask the right questions and how to give the right answers to the questions I encounter when sharing Christ with others.
- I have learned how to verify and justify my beliefs with logic and common sense rather than just feelings.
- The seminar has helped me be more confident when sharing Christ.
- Apologetics 101 has helped me to finally understand how I can share Christ with others without being defensive or attacking.
Contents of Christian Apologetics 101Christian Apologetics 101 answers four key questions that today's Christian students encounter:
- How do you know there is a God?
- How do you answer the claim that there are no moral absolutes?
- How do you answer the claim that there is no such thing as absolute truth?
- How do you shre Christ with those of other worldviews?
Session One leads students to see they are here on earth by the divine will of God and He has a purpose for their lives. Students are introduced to the concept of worldviews and taught to recognize the major worldviews they encounter on college campuses today. The session closes by helping students understand what apologetics is and its importance in sharing Christ today.
Session Two discusses the three levels of philosophy students encounter on campus every day. Drawing from the works of Ravi Zacharias, this session teaches students how to dialogue with non-Christian friends. The session also shows students how to answer the claim that all morals are relative.
Session Three prepares students to answer the claim that all religions are equally
true. Students are introduced to three of Thomas Aquinas' First Principles of Knowledge (Identity, Non-contradiction, and Causality) and shown what happens when these principles are ignored or denied, as they so often are today.
Session Four answers the question, "How do you know there is a God?"
Session Five and Six help students understand the major worldviews they encounter on campus and how to share Christ with fellow students from these religions. The uniqueness of the Christian faith is emphasized.
Contents of Christian Apologetics 201Christian Apologetics 201 answers two key questions that today's Christian students encounter:
- If there is an all-powerful and all-loving God, why is there so much evil and suffering?
- How do you know the Bible is the Word of God?
Session One is a general introduction to evil and suffering. In this session, students are given clear definitions of evil and suffering, are introduced to the categories of evil and suffering, and are shown what the major worldviews teach about evil and suffering.
Session Two is designed to help Christian students understand the major challenges they encounter when discussing evil and suffering with non-Christians. This session also deals with evil and suffering in nature and illustrates how God has put limits on evil and suffering.
Session Three explains how the Bible teaches the Christian to deal with evil and suffering. Evil and suffering are examined in the light of the book of Job, the life and teachings of Jesus, and the life and writings of Paul.
Sessions Four and Five answer the question, "How do I know the Bible is the Word of God?" Session Four explains what Jesus teaches about the Bible, answers two common challenges to the reliability of the New Testament, and discusses both early Christian and non-Christian references to the New Testament. Session Five compares the New Testament manuscripts to other manuscripts from the ancient world. Ten major New Testament manuscripts, their contents, dates and current locations are discussed. Students are shown how to answer the challenge that the Bible is not the Word of God.
Session Six teaches students how to study the Bible. This session clearly explains the value of the Bible, illustrates seven key approaches to the study of the Bible, and challenges students to memorize key biblical verses and passages.
How to have an Apologetics 101 or 201 SeminarSeminars are held across the country and internationally. They are usually held on college campuses or in churches. If you are interested in sponsoring a seminar on your campus or at your church, contact BHIM®.
Apologetics NotebookEach person who attends an Apologetics 101 or 201 seminar receives a notebook. These notebooks are excellent reference pieces students can continue to study and use long after the seminar.
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