1. Circles, Triangles, and Squares a look at postmodernism and The Church People are EVERYWHERE! How do we create evangelism opportunities? Be a completely convinced Christian Equip yourself to share the message Always be ready to meet a new friend Build the relationship Look for openings Ask to share Have an “open-door” policy But how do we do these things? Let's begin developing a strategy!

2. Where can Christians look for advice? “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” (1 Peter 2:21) Our Great Example

3. What Is Jesus' Basic Message? You were made in God's Image Created for a righteous family relationship His image is stamped deep within ourselves ■ Creativity ■ Free-Moral Agency ■ Personality ■ Intelligence ■ Relationships (inclination towards sociability) ■ Morality The Bad News Is... Sin has distorted His image in us We abuse His image to our own destruction The REALLY Good News is Reconciliation! (Cox, MMin621 Lectures)

4. Is The Christian Message Valid? Apologetics is two-fold Prayerfully living out the Christian faith Seeking after God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit Trusting His providence and role in conversion Revealing God to Mankind There are physical proofs (Psalm 19) There are spiritual proofs (Acts 1:3) There are historical proofs (Acts and our existence) There is the person of Jesus 1 – intellectually honest 2 – scandalously inclusive 3 – relationally electric 4 – graciously demanding 5 – powerfully noncoercive (Cox on “McLaren”, MMin621 Lectures)

5. What About Their Objections? Postmoderns enjoy confrontation 1 – expect confrontation on various issues like “suffering”, “Christianity is unscientific”, “belief is a crutch”, “Christianity is a sexist religion”, historic corruption & oppression, doctrinal difficulties, etc... 2 – prepare by having a ready answer for why you believe (2 Tim 2:15) 3 – be ready to admit that you don't have an answer, but that you will study about it 4 – have someone(s) to bounce ideas off of

6. Assignment Jesus says, Every last particle of power and authority has been given to me. Now that you know that: As you are going in the world, doing your daily things, seek first the Kingdom of God by making disciples for me, baptizing them by the authority of the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and be sure to teach them to make my life and teaching their example and guide. You will never be alone, I am with you until the end of time. Amen.