1. Four Pictures One Word E GYPRIEMNXEJCEPGYPRIEMNXEJCEP XPERIENCE

2. “I was walking along the banks of Loch Ness. Suddenly there was a tremendous commotion in the water and a green head appeared with loops behind it. The weather was good and the head and its loops swam nearer shore. I could see it clearly as well as the markings and the scales – it did not appear to be a model or manmade. I had not been drinking or taking drugs. I had seen the Loch Ness Monster – I am now convinced of its existence no matter how much evidence there is against it because I have seen it.” My Holiday Experience

3. What questions would you like to ask? Do you believe my story? Don’t we usually rely on our senses for knowledge? Would you tell anyone if you had the same experience?

4. Religious Experience Learning Objective: To enquire into the concept of Religious Experience. To contextualise using the experience of Ian McCormack.

5. By the end of the lesson... I can give a definition of a religious experience. I can give an example of one religious experience. I have started thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of religious experiences as an argument for the existence of God.

6. What is a Religious Experience? What do you think a religious experience is?

7. What is a Religious Experience? Awareness of having contact with an outside supreme divine being. The experience is difficult to explain. The experience is unique and individual. People feel a deep awareness and closeness to the divine. The experience is positive and encouraging. The effects of the experience are permanent and life changing.

8. What is a Religious Experience? Types of Religious Experiences... Visions Miracles Conversion Sense of Awe and Wonder Dreams

9. Is this a religious experience?

10. Progress Check... I can give a definition in my own words of a religious experience. I can give an example of one religious experience. I have started thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of religious experiences as an argument for the existence of God.

11. Ian McCormack - Before Ian McCormack had been travelling in the Island of Mauritius and was stung by 5 box jellyfish. His mother was a Christian but Ian himself was an atheist and did not believe in God.

12. Ian McCormack One night while diving for lobster off the island of Mauritius, Ian McCormack was stung by five deadly jellyfish. He was rushed to hospital but died for about 15-20 minutes. He then came back to life! While Ian was dead, he had an amazing experience in which he met and talked to God. Before being stung by the jellyfish, Ian McCormack had been an atheist (someone who does not believe God exists). Immediately after his experience, Ian became a Christian, and now he travels the world sharing with others the details of his amazing experience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =lfrKaAMLdFY&feature=related http://www.youtube.com /watch?v=mvaKqtSH_9s& feature=related

13. Ian McCormack - After I've been following Jesus ever since this experience in 1982. I am an ordained minister with the Assembly Of God church here in New Zealand. I have worked with the head-hunters of Borneo and in refugee camps in South East Asia. I have pastored churches and my wife and I have travelled to 24 different nations sharing this testimony.

14. Ian McCormack’s Religious Experience Before the music stops you need to write down... A short summary of Ian McCormack’s religious experience. You have 3 minutes!!!

15. Progress Check... I can give a definition in my own words of a religious experience. I can give an example of one religious experience. I have started thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of religious experiences as an argument for the existence of God.

16. What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience? Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Agree Disagree Ian McCormack truly believes this experience happened and is convinced he encountered God.

17. What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience? Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Agree Disagree Ian McCormack made up this story in order to be famous.

18. What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience? Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Agree Disagree This is a clear example of a religious experience.

19. What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience? Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Agree Disagree There are other more likely explanations of Ian McCormack’s experience.

20. What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience? Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Agree Disagree This experience can be used as convincing proof of God’s existence.

21. What have you learnt this lesson? I can give a definition in my own words of a religious experience. I can give an example of one religious experience. I have started thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of religious experiences as an argument for the existence of God.