“But in your hearts revere 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. (1st Peter 3:15)”
The first time I read these words, I knew it was not a suggestion, it was a command. A command, as followers of Christ, to always be prepared to give an answer.
In the past I haven’t had an answer to some difficult questions that nonbelievers have asked me such as, “Why does God allow suffering?” I would stumble, and it only solidified their unbelief. We, as Christ-followers, need to have answers, we need to be able to defend our faith because it is what God calls us to do. Another way to describe it is, being prepared, apologists.
The Speech category of Apologetics has about 100 questions, depending what league you are participating in, regarding the Christian faith, to prepare a six-minute speech on. Yes, it was hard preparing for so many questions. Yes, my printer broke down more than once. Yes, at times I felt like giving up, but when I was done- When I had prepared cards about God’s omniscience, His omnipresence, Why God allows evil in the world, how God can use things for good, personal stories, evidence for the Bible’s reliability, and dozens more, I noticed something. Each time I was asked a question by a nonbeliever, I had an answer. The amount of growth that took place in my walk with the Lord is indescribable, and I only grew more passionate, and confident about my faith. So, if there is one thing I would recommend anyone to devote their time to, it is apologetics.
My club (EverReady, from the Chicago area) does an excellent job of teaching apologetics. We take notes on short clips we watch, with apologists and theologians answering difficult questions. We have speakers come in and share their phenomenal stories of how God has worked in their lives. We do activities, such as ask eachother questions about the Christian faith and would practice answering. However, the most impactful thing that we do at EverReady, is the homework assignments. No, we do not have to write a paper or study for a test, we get to do the most important thing we can do as Christians; use the skills that we have learned in the real world. We are told to share our faith with someone or to ask them a question about their worldview. Then, we share our experiences in class. Being able to share my experiences, and hearing the experiences of others is truly a gift.
However, I believe the most important and impactful part of apologetics at EverReady is when our wonderful instructor, Mrs. Dimoulis, encourages us. She encourages us in our walk with the Lord, and really emphasizes how lost and broken the world is, and how responsible we are, as Christians, to share our faith. It is because of realizing how necessary apologetics really is, that I decided to pursue it in competition and couldn’t be happier that I did.
I would encourage all clubs to clarify the importance of apologetics, to encourage eachother in the Christian walk, and to give homework assignments to use the amazing skills we have learned in the real world. And lastly, to inspire students to keep Christ’s Word in our hearts, to revere Him as Lord, and to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
-Does your club offer Apologetics? Are you wanting to start Apologetics in your home, but don’t know where to start? Lasting Impact! provides two opportunities to get involved with Apologetics… opportunities students and families have been blessed by for over five years!! Online Apologetics is a time for families to join together from around the nation to grow deeper in their walk through apologetics. Check out what each of these online groups look like…
Isn’t it time, we met the challenge and listened to his command?