1. Maranatha Bible Church Adult Sunday School

2.  Listen to “The Great Courses – Religion-Great World Religions: Christianity”  Disc 1: Lecture 1  Track 0001-0002 Time: 00:00 – 8:00  Religion is defined as  An organized way of life centered around convictions and experiences involving belief in an ultimate power that transcends human life and governs human life  World Religion is defined as  One who’s adherents go beyond geographical and ethnic boundaries and exert significant influence on people World Religion Series - njb 20102

3. 3 OTHER RELIGION’S CLAIM THEY HAVE A WAY TO AN ETERNAL PLACE OF HAPPINESS / HEAVEN AND THAT JESUS CHRIST IS NOT THE ONLY WAY, TRUTH, OR LIFE DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE? AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE OTHER RELIGIONS TEACH ?

4. World Religion Series - njb 20104 Understanding Christian Beliefs and What Other Religions Teach Results In A Deeper Appreciation That Jesus Is The Only Way, The Truth, and The Life

5.  God’s Plan of Salvation Decrees People From All Walks of Life Will Come To Him 5World Religion Series - njb 2010 “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14

6. World Religion Series - njb 20106 20 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21 ‘The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I will also go.” 22 ‘So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.’” Zechariah 8:20-22  God’s Plan of Salvation Decrees that People From All Walks of Life Will Come to Him

7. World Religion Series - njb 20107  Jesus Commanded Believers to Make Disciples of All the Nations And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

8. World Religion Series - njb 20108  The Day of Pentecost initiated the spread of the Gospel to all parts of the earth Acts 1:7-8 (NASB) 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

9.  America’s diversity and globalization urge it  There are approximately 4,200 officially documented known religions in the World today  Most of us are either currently or will be working with someone who believes and practices one of the other major World Religions 9World Religion Series - njb 2010 BEING COURTEOUS AND AWARE OF CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES IS CHRIST-LIKE AND ALLOWS GOD TO PROVIDE AN OPENING FOR THE GOSPEL WHEN THAT PERSON IS READY

10.  The Christian’s Ability to Reach Out To Those of Other Faith’s is Enhanced By It  A basic knowledge of the foundations of other religions enables us to be aware of the theologically and practical differences to Christianity  Believer’s will be better prepared to stand firm to attacks on Christianity if we understand what these other religion’s arguments are based upon 10World Religion Series - njb 2010

11. This class is intended to provide:  An overview of the major World Religions  A basic understanding of their beliefs  An awareness of the religion’s source documents  Ideas and suggestions on how best to interact and witness to those who practice these religions  Testimonies from those who have been reached for Jesus Christ out of these religions 11World Religion Series - njb 2010

12. Each session will have a three-part format: 1. Introduction & Information about the Religion being covered  Handouts 2. Video / Slides providing some in-depth material regarding that religion  Video clips from “The Great Courses Taught by Great Professors” Series titled “Great World Religions” 3. Discussion of the weekly reading assignment from the provided textbook for this class – The Unexpected Journey Rainer, Thom S. The Unexpected Journey – Conversations with people who turned from other beliefs to Jesus, Zondervan 12World Religion Series - njb 2010

13. 1. Christianity (Foundational Review) 2. Islam 3. Buddhism 4. Hinduism 5. Judaism 6. Unitarianism 7. Mormonism 8. Jehovah’s Witness 9. Wiccan Paganism / Satanism 10. New Age Spirituality / Astrology 13World Religion Series - njb 2010

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15. 15 2.1Billion Christians in the World Today (33%) However, Christianity is decreasing at a rate of 7,600 people per day

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17. World Religion Series - njb 201017

18.  Christianity believes the Bible to be the inspired Word of God – John 1:1  Christianity believes in a Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)  Christianity believes that Jesus is God in the flesh – Colossians 1:15, Philippians 2:5-11  Christianity is rooted in Judaism  Based on the Abrahamic Covenant Promise of God to Abraham  All the World Shall be Blessed – Genesis 12:3 18World Religion Series - njb 2010 CREEDS WERE DEVELOPED TO SOLIDIFY & DISTINGUISH CHRISTIAN BELIEFS FROM HERITICAL & PAGAN RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS

19.  Christianity believes that Jesus is the Messiah of the Old Testament – Mark 14:61-62, John 4:25-26  The Crucifixion of Jesus is central to Christianity – John 3:14-15  Christianity believes there hope for the individual but only through Jesus Christ and His Death on the Cross and Resurrection – Ephesians 1:7-8  Christianity claims there is only way to heaven – through faith in Jesus Christ – Acts 4:12 19World Religion Series - njb 2010 “Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers do. He himself is the way.” Karl Barth

20.  Prayer  Salvation – (personal acceptance by Faith)  Baptism following confession of salvation  Marriage  Church Membership  Communion – Lord’s Supper  Celebration of Holidays (Primary)  Christmas  Easter World Religion Series - njb 201020