Meredith Ludwig Curtis
  • Home
  • Jesus
    • Bible Studies >
      • God's Girls Friends to the End Bible Study
      • God's Girls Beauty Secrets
      • God's Girls Talk about Guys, Virtue, & Marriage Bible Study
      • The Making of Real Men
      • Real Men Talk about Freedom, GIrls, & Marriage
    • Worship
    • Testimony >
      • Family
      • Church Family
  • Books
    • Maggie King Mysteries
    • How -To-Homeschool
    • Teach History the Fun Way >
      • Ancient History Cookbook
      • Ancient History Timeline
      • HIS Story of the 20th Century
      • Let's Have Our Own Ancient Greek Olympic Games
      • Let's Have Our Own Archaeological Dig
      • Let's Have Our Own Medieval Banquet
    • Celebrate
  • Courses/ Units
    • Unit Studies
    • High School Courses >
      • Who Dun It
      • American Literature & Research Course by Meredith Curtis
      • Economics, Finances, & Business Course
      • Economics, Finances, & Business Answer Key by Meredith Curtis
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Schedule
    • Family & Ministry Workshops
    • Homeschool Workshops
    • Homeschool High School Workshops
    • Meredith's Financial Workshops
    • Worship Workshops
    • Pastor Mike"s Workshops
    • Family & Friend's Workshops
  • Blog

Teach Apologetics in High School

11/13/2012

3 Comments

 
Picture
When I first heard the term apologetics, I immediately thought of apologizing. It sounded like Christians were saying, "I'm sorry for what I believe." But the term apologetics refers to intellectually defending the faith. As believers in Jesus, we are commanded to give a reason for the hope that we have, to answer the intellectual questions of our day. The Bible does have an answer for the questions the world is asking.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of your slander," (I Peter 3:15-16NIV).

Teens Defend Their Faith

People will ask you and your Christian teenager questions such as "Why do you believe the Bible?" or "Why do you think Christianity is the only right way to believe?" Is your teen ready to answer those questions? Maybe you are thinking, "Golly, I'm not ready to answer those questions." That's okay. You and your teen can learn together.

Where do we start in teaching our teens to defend their faith? Set apart Christ as Lord. Set Him aside as the Supreme Master of your life and home. Whatever He says goes! His Word is Truth. His commands are obeyed. He is the One we live to please, not the world, our friends, or our college professors.

Training

Next, we receive preparation or training so that we can be prepared to give an answer to those who ask. This preparation can be in the form of a class with you or your spouse. There are many wonderful books available on the subject of apologetics such as More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell or Know Why You Believe by Paul E. Little. My husband taught an apologetics Sunday School class that we have adapted for our teens. It covers the following topics.

  • Reality and Uniqueness of the Bible
  • Creation and the Evolution Scam
  • The Flood
  • Archeology
  • Prophecies of Cities' Destruction
  • Prophecies of the Coming Messiah
  • The Trilema: Is Jesus, Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?
  • Jesus' Resurrection

Picture
Training should involve presenting the Biblical worldview on topics such as law, government, science, history, philosophy, psychology, economics, and sociology. Non-biblical worldviews (secular humanism, socialism, New Age, Muslim, and post-modernism) should be presented too with equipping to defend the biblical worldview. Role playing is excellent for that.

Training should also involve Scripture memorization that targets these issues. Scriptures about the deity of Christ, uniqueness of the Bible, fulfillment of prophecy, the power of the Resurrection, and God's creation of the world plant the truth in your teens' hearts when they memorize them.

Here is a Partial List of Scriptures to Memorize:

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (II Timothy 3:15-17 NIV)

"For the Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart," (Hebrews 4:12 NIV).

"The earth is the LORD's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters," (Psalm 24:1-2 NIV).

More great Scriptures to memorize: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 1:27; Romans 1:16 & 18-20; John 1:1; and Colossians 1:15-19.

When you memorize these Scriptures, use them in context of discussions about these topics. The Word of God is a powerful weapon to battle the forces of darkness. Don't forget, this is a spiritual battle, not a battle of wits or wills

Context of Conversation.

Finally, training in the art of defending the faith should be done in the area of conversation. We are to be gentle and respectful in the way we communicate, not pushy or prideful. We also need to be able to communicate difficult truths in a clear, concise way. Role playing is an excellent way to equip your children for real conversations in real life. Another way is to write skits and perform them together. They might be so good that you could do them at church.

When it comes down to real life opportunities, we must watch and take advantage of every opportunity the Lord gives us. Proclaiming the mystery of Christ is our duty and our privilege. What joy there is in being an ambassador for Christ Jesus, for whose sake we have given up everything! 

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone," (Colossians 4:2-6 NIV).

Include prayer in your lifestyle of defending the faith. Not a one-time prayer, "Help me, Lord, explain to this really stupid..." Instead, our prayers should be full of love and thanksgiving, not wanting anyone to be lost, but wanting everyone to understand and believe the truth so that they can repent and be saved. Ultimately, love is what compels us to proclaim Christ and defend the faith. This love touches people's hearts and allows them to hear the words we speak.

My husband and I also teach our children the Bible and equip them to fulfill the Great Commission in high school. We have Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, and Great Commission courses to share with you! Apologetics is coming soon. Please check out our print books at Amazon and E-books at PowerlineProd.

May you and your teenagers be bold in defending the Gospel!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)



3 Comments
Gaila
12/31/2018 12:23:44 pm

I would love to have skits and "elevator speeches" to use immediately. I'm trying to incorporate apologetics into a senior English class in a private school.

Reply
Gaila
3/20/2019 05:09:23 pm

I would love to have skits and elevator speeches to use in speech and English class. I'm trying to incorporate apologetics into high school English.

Reply
Meredith Curtis link
3/21/2019 03:49:20 am

We often have children and teens come up with their own. Here are some great resources/high school courses: Worldview Understand the Times Workbook and Communication 101: Essays & Speeches. https://powerlineprod.weebly.com/worldview.html
https://powerlineprod.weebly.com/communication101essayspeech.html

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Meredith Curtis, homeschooling mom & worship leader, is married to her college sweetheart. She is blessed with 5 amazing children, 3 adorable grandchildren, and an awesome church family!
    ​

    Picture

    Archives

    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    April 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011

    Categories

    All
    Abiding
    Baking
    Beauty
    Bible
    Bible Study
    Birthdays
    Book Reviews
    Books
    Business
    Celebrate
    Charity
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Christmas Craft
    Christmas Homeschooling
    Church History
    College Prep
    Cooking
    Crafts
    Curriculum Reviews
    Devotions
    Doctrine
    Easter
    Economics
    Exercise
    Family
    Father's Day
    Field Trips
    Finances
    Finish Well
    Food
    Friendship
    Geography
    Gift Ideas
    Government
    Great Commission
    Health
    Heroes
    History
    Holiday Craft
    Holidays
    Home
    Homemaking
    Homeschool Conference
    Homeschooling
    Homeschooling Book Reviews
    Homeschooling Conference
    Homeschooling Curriculum
    Homeschooling Curriculum Reviews
    Homeschooling High School
    Homeschooling High School Reviews
    Homeschooling Reviews
    Hospitality
    Humor
    Lapbooks
    Learning
    Literature
    Living Books
    Logic
    Marriage
    Math
    Mentoring
    Ministry
    Money
    Motherhood
    Mothering
    Mothers Day
    Music
    New Years
    Nutrition
    Parenting
    Politics
    Prayer
    Reading
    Recipes
    Reformation Day
    Relationships
    Reviews
    Sales
    Science
    Sound Doctrine
    Spiritual Warfare
    Teaching
    Teens
    Testimony
    Thanksgiving
    Theology
    Time Management
    Traditions
    Traditions Devotions
    Travel
    Trials
    Unit Studies
    Wedding
    Worldviews
    Worship
    Worship Leading
    Writing

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Anders Ruff Custom Designs, Sugar Daze, scrink, trekkyandy, H.C. Williams, whitneyinchicago, Elin B, Dottie Mae, Tony A., t i b i, the.laus, the.Firebottle, SebastianDooris, robinsan, wwarby, jimmiehomeschoolmom, Dougtone, williamcho, Randy OHC, littlemoresunshine, Alex E. Proimos, matsuyuki, ChR!s H@rR!0t, AMagill, Teddy Delivery, abcdz2000, UF Digital Collections, ElvertBarnes, auntjojo, BdwayDiva1, swanksalot, missycaulk, Lance Shields, Walter Saporiti, ComputerHotline, Sam Howzit, LeonArts.at, garlandcannon, midiman, kmezon, mickbarry, Official U.S. Navy Imagery, DC Central Kitchen, stu_spivack, aussiegall, saebaryo, Fairy Heart ♥, Damian Cugley, Vince Alongi, Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious, momentcaptured1, epSos.de, davedehetre, 96dpi, geraldbrazell, bterrycompton, Lauren Manning, THE Holy Hand Grenade!, eser.karadag, archer10 (Dennis), Catholic Westminster, SmithGreg, flypig, jelene, rust.bucket, Robert Scoble, Sterling College, SharonaGott, timparkinson, Fire At Will [Photography], KitAy, mareeshastar, Dougtone, Ed Yourdon, California Cthulhu (Will Hart), John-Morgan, Monica's Dad, ktylerconk, doegox, Khairil Zhafri, floodllama, mattjlc, bunnicula, smithfischer, Ahmed Rabea, The Consumerist, blmurch, Sh4rp_i, dwstucke, dtcchc, arjin j, damian m, Panegyrics of Granovetter, ewan traveler, young shanahan, Rennett Stowe, singingwitness, ronnie44052, Tim Green aka atoach, russell pix, missbrendatoyou, Ambernectar 13, LancerE, riptheskull, rs-foto, Max Braun, Yoshimai, dbgg1979, TheSeafarer, Old Sarge, Ewan-M, rictulio, Gwydion M. Williams, quinn.anya, abbybatchelder, katmeresin, Mr. T in DC, tuchodi, SLV's, mealmakeovermoms, Hollingsworth, hoyasmeg, Monica's Dad, Shane's Stuff, frotzed2, Matthew Juzenas, bunkejer4, weeklydig, St.John'sFlowerGuild, InAweofGod'sCreation, Doc Wert, Nomadic Lass, Samdogs, Rojer, MASB Desenvolvimento Imobiliário, Calsidyrose, wallygrom, Tiberiu Ana, ZeroOne, Randy OHC, Betsssssy, georgiapeachez, Lars Plougmann, dtcchc, antwerpenR, Wiros, myfuture.com, ewan traveler, cliff1066™, Peggy2012CREATIVELENZ, 401K 2012, mikemol, Aranami, Randy OHC, Joan Lesan, jm3, Stifts- och landsbiblioteket i Skara, Lunatic Asylum Photostudio, Michael 1952, Zyllan, Images_of_Money, striatic, riptheskull, sanchom, Nick Harris1, S. Reachers, Matt McGee, fdecomite, Wesley Fryer, yenna, Daniel Dale, michael_swan, Rodrigo_Soldon, Barefoot In Florida, Bright Meadow, turtlemom4bacon, Svadilfari, Rennett Stowe, juliejordanscott, Emilio del Prado, Marysol*, avlxyz, Näystin, Belzie, cliff1066™, EraPhernalia Vintage . . . (playin' hook-y ;o), Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Etereal9, loco's photos, BigSéance, bigal_60714