Separating Darkness from Light

How to Have Discernment in a Culture that Says, "Do What Feels Right to You." 

This was our first meeting of the fall 2016 semester! We started out with singing, and we were blessed to have Taylor leading beautifully on violin. 

Be Thou My Vision 

In Christ Alone 

Holy, Holy, Holy 

After singing, we took prayer requests and prayed as a group, then did our typical icebreaker: tell your name, age, and the color of your toothbrush. We also introduced our new leaders: Taylor, Cecily, Sophi, and Olivia. 

Finally, we started the lesson, Separating Darkness from Light. Notes are below. 

Holiness

1.      That which is separated to the service of God.

2.      A sheep may look white next to the green grass, but when it snows, you can see that the sheep is really dirty!

3.      “Discernment is not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right and wrong; rather it is the difference between right and almost right.” –Charles Spurgeon

4.      Applecottagecheesesauce!

We need to…

·         Discern between things that seem good and things that are good

·         Evaluate everything in the light of God’s word

·         Take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)

·         Not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1)

·         Look carefully how we walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time (Ephesians 5:15-16)

·         Keep ourselves pure from polluting influences

Examples of polluting influences:

Movies

·         Books (romance novels especially can give birth to unprofitable thoughts) 

·         TV

·         Friends (you become like the 5 people you are around most...spend time with Jesus! :)) 

·         Internet

·         Music (even some Christian music...) 

·         Games

·         Magazines

·         Social Media

·         Advertising

·         Activities/ Activity Groups (is the attitude of the group you're with honoring to God? If not, are you following that pattern or setting the example of godliness?) 

*Note: Not all of these things are bad in and of themselves--we have to evaluate if a certain activity is affecting us in a way that harms our relationship with God, even if the activity itself isn't bad. 

Dealing with polluting influences…

•      Evaluate and be aware of what is impacting us and how it is doing so.

–     Watching a movie: what is it trying to teach me?

–     Class at school: does this line up with Scripture?

•      When possible, choose to fill our minds with better things

–     Leisure time: Studio C or Intro to Classical Music? Random eBook that looks okay or Christian biography? Prayer or daydreaming?

•      Pray that God will help us to be in the world, but not of the world

Discernment in a Nutshell

•      Resisting temptations

•      Not compromising (Romans 12:2 J)

•      Seeking accountability (2 Timothy 2:22)

•      Avoiding “harmless” things that can lead further… (Especially on the Internet, make sure that you are VERY open with your parents about what you see!) 

•      Getting wise counsel

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 

Our lesson activity was a "trust walk" in teams, but with a twist. We played the game as usual, with girls partnering up into mini-teams of two, with one girl blindfolded and the other girl directing her through an obstacle course. Each of these mini-teams was part of one of two bigger teams. The twist: while two of the girls from team A were navigating through the obstacle course, Team B was allowed to shout wrong directions and try to get the Team A girls off course. The blindfolded girl from Team A had to be very careful to show discernment about which voices she listened to! 

After the lesson, we had "snacks and small groups" time, then gathered for singing to end the meeting. 

Take My Life and Let It Be 

Standing on the Promises 

I Will Call upon the Lord 

It was a blessing to have each and every girl that came! We look forward to seeing you back in two weeks for Taylor's and Olivia's lesson on Fear. 

True Love

Wuv, Twue Wuv…

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

 –1 Corinthians 13:13

The world twists love: 

-marriage un-sanctified 

-marriages without love 

-parents not loving kids; kids not loving parents 

-siblings not loving each other 

-people viewing others as objects to be manipulated for their own gain 

“By this all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

-John 13:35

We’re called to love everyone…friends or enemies, Christians or non-Christians, annoying brothers or frustrating parents. 

We need an attitude of service

Pray: heart filled with God’s love; see others through God's eyes. 

Do we really love non-Christians?

Do we love them enough to share the gospel with them?

Challenge: witness to two people before the end-of-the-year party in two weeks. 

• You can use the tracts, but that’s not required. 
• You can witness to someone you know (who is not a Christian) or a stranger. 
• You have to actually talk to someone, even if it’s just to ask “hey; is it okay if I hand you something to read?” or do the two-step “hey; can I ask you a question? If you were to die today, are you 100% sure you would go to heaven?”  
• If you need more tracts, just ask. :)

Witnessing tips

1. Go in a team 

2. Pray before you start! 

3. Don’t think of your own fear; focus on the needs of the people you’re witnessing to 

4. Make sure your behavior reflects your message 

5. Remember that God is more powerful than your fear! 

Try going to a park or mall… You can even make a project out of it and call it a “homework assignment,” the way the imaginary girls in the skits did a few weeks ago. 

Further help and encouragement 

Will Our Generation Speak by Grace Mally 

One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven by Mark Cahill 

Tactics by Greg Koukl 

www.MarkCahill.org 

www.livingwaters.com

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

(Philippians 4:13)

Emotional Purity & Modesty

We started out this meeting by looking at several different pictures of girls in various outfits, from a Muslim burkha, to a grey Amish dress, to jeans and a t-shirt, to a little girl in a princess dress. As we discovered by looking at these pictures and making guesses about the people in the photos (their religion, their values, etc.), what we wear has a big impact on how people view us. 

After doing this exercise, we stressed the importance of NOT doing this kind of thing to actual people--it is true that what we wear has a big impact on the way we are viewed by others, but as Christians, we need to look beyond outward appearance and have compassion on the heart of a person. As our memory verse this week says, "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 

However, it's still important for us to present Christ well in the way we dress. Beyond the obvious point that, by dressing immodestly, we can cause great discomfort/struggle for the guys around us, even if we're completely modest, we can send wrong messages with the outfits we wear. It's all about the heart...good questions to ask before heading out the door are these: 

1. What message am I sending with this outfit? 

2. Whom am I trying to please?/Whom am I emulating? 

3. What are my priorities? 

4. Will this outfit likely cause someone to stumble? 

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

                                                                                                             -Romans 14:13 

We as girls tend to seek validation from guys, but the truth is that guys can never really fulfill us...God should be our first priority, and the first one from whom we seek validation. He's the only one that can do that job. :) 

Focusing on guys as anything other than brothers in Christ can often distract us from seeking the Lord. 

Ideas for Keeping Thoughts Pure

• “Prayer targets” (When an impure thought enters, start praying for someone) 

• Keep yourself occupied with positive things 

• Don’t give in to “small” temptations in your thought life 

After a violent storm one night, a large tree, which over the years had become a stately giant, was found lying across the pathway in a park. Nothing but a splintered stump was left. Closer examination showed that it was rotten at the core, because thousands of tiny insects had eaten away at its heart. The weakness of that tree was not brought on by the sudden storm; it began the very moment the first insect nested within its bark. With the Holy Spirit’s help, let’s be very careful to guard our purity. (Lou Nicholes - Missionary/Author).

But guys aren't the only things that can distract us and tempt us to compromise our purity...books, games, movies, and music can all do that, as well. We need to constantly evaluate how we spend our time and energy, asking, "is this honoring to God? Is this helping or hindering my walk with Him?" Sometimes it's time for a "purge" of items that are hurting our relationship with the Lord... 

But purity isn't about a set of rules. The heart of purity is seeking God, first and foremost, and arranging everything else according to its proper priority after that. We are to "throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for us!" 

Reliability of Scripture

The Bible is unique…

·        40+ different authors from ALL walks of life, with nothing in common but their faith

·        Written in 3 different languages, over a span of >1,500 years, in very different styles

·        A very, very diverse book that tells one single story

·        Makes prophecies that have come true

The Bible is well-supported

·        More manuscript evidence than any other TEN pieces of classical literature

If Jesus were a lie…

·        The disciples had way too much influence for a bunch of Jewish peasants under Roman rule, including a tax collector—they were able to convince thousands of people to lie for them and claim to be eyewitnesses.

·        The disciples wouldn’t have included so many embarrassing details about themselves.

·        Peter would have edited the gospels, a lot!

·        ANYONE but Mary Magdalene would have been chosen to be the first witness of the resurrection.

·        The guards would have been the first people to agree with the disciples’ account

·        The disciples definitely wouldn’t have been willing to undergo torture and death for a lie.

o   All the disciples except for John were eventually martyred for their faith.

Nonchristian and Antichristian sources talk about Jesus, and they say…

·        Jesus lived when N.T. says he did

·        Jesus had a brother named James, who was a church father and was martyred 

·        Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, lived a virtuous life, and was a wonder-worker

·        He was crucified under Pontius Pilate on the eve of the Jewish Passover

·        Darkness and an earthquake occurred when He died.

·        Jesus’ disciples

o   Claimed that He rose from the dead

o   Were willing to die for their beliefs

o   Denied Roman gods and worshiped Jesus as God

·        Christianity spread quickly and far

(Side note: Jesus is mentioned by 4.3 times as many sources as Tiberius Caesar, the Roman emperor at the time, whose existence NO ONE denies.)

The differing accounts of the four gospels

Q: Where else do you find four different stories about the same event, telling about the event from four different angles, with some slightly different details but with all the major points correct?

A: In the courtroom, listening to honest witnesses!

Books for further study:

·        New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Part 1 by Josh McDowell (www.josh.org)

·        I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (ch 8-14) by Norm Geisler & Frank Turek

·        Cold Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace*

·        Stealing from God by Frank Turek*

*I haven’t read the starred books yet; I ran out of time before this lesson. They’ve been recommended to me by people I trust, and I’m planning to read them, but since I haven’t read them yet, I can’t recommend them—just say that I’ve heard they’re good, and they should be relevant if you’re seeking to learn more.

What do we do with the Bible?

·        Many non-Christians say that the Bible is so unique and important that every educated person should read it. So why don’t Christians!?

·        Christians were willing to be tortured to death just for writing it, reading it, translating it, preaching it, smuggling it into new countries…and we say we don’t have time for it.

·        We need to read it, treasure it, and learn from it.

·        The more you read it with a heart open to God, the closer you will get to Him.

·        It’s the Word of God—He wants to speak to us. Will we listen?

Ideas for Bible Reading Plans

1.      Just read it straight through, one chapter a day…

2.      Read 1 NT chapter & 1 OT chapter each day. You’ll go through the NT a couple times this way.

3.      Ask your parents or pastor for a Bible-in-a-year plan.

4.      If you have a phone or tablet, download the Bible Gateway app or the Blue Letter Bible app or one of many other apps with Bible reading plans…or just go to biblegateway.com and use one of the 7 different reading plans there. (The chronological one is pretty cool!)

5.      Ask Sylvia or Jael for more suggestions—we’d be happy to help you come up with a personalized Bible reading plan that’s perfect for what you can handle right now, whether that be a certain number of minutes per day, a chapter at a certain time during the day, a schedule that rotates OT with NT so you don’t get bogged down with the more difficult passages, etc.

Whichever you choose, and even if you’re just starting with one chapter or five minutes a day, make it a priority to be in God’s word on a regular basis. And find someone to keep you accountable! J

Witnessing/Other Religions - Part 2

This week was part two of the witnessing to different religions lesson.  Piggy-backing on the five different religions presented last lesson (Mormonism, Atheism, Hinduism, Judiasm, and New Age), the girls learn about Jehovah's Witnesses, Agnosticism, Buddhism, Islam, and Scientology.  Furthermore, building on the witnessing concepts Sylvia shared two weeks ago, the skits presented several different tactics that can be used in reach unbelievers.

Skits can be found here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByVlTE96psUrN1dNdVFqMFcxTEk/view?usp=sharing

Remember to: 

-ASK QUESTIONS 

-Be respectful and loving -- you can't force a convert; you can only lovingly tell them about Jesus. 

-Don't rush it

-Clarify definitions 

-Look for self-defeating arguments. For example: In Islam, the Koran teaches that Scripture cannot be corrupted. It also lists the Bible as one of the Islamic Scriptures, but since many teachings of the Bible go contrary to the Koran, many Muslims claim that the Bible has been corrupted over time. See a problem?  

-Take the time to learn about their beliefs. Otherwise, you may end up refuting something that they don't actually believe, offending them by talking at them rather than with them, or coming across as pushy and arrogant.

Other than the skits...we sang, ate snacks, and had fun in small groups.  

The memory verse for next time is 2 Timothy 3:16, with an optional "extra credit" verse of Hebrews 4:12.  See you then!

 

Witnessing/Other Religions - Part 1

This week, the lesson was written mostly in the form of skits, with short "lesson bits" in between. 

Skit #1

Izzy:  Beautiful day, isn’t it? 

Lizzy:  Sure is.  I hope we meet some people we can talk to.

Izzy:  I know.  I so scared.  I can’t believe Jael and Sylvia told us that we had to go to a local park to talk people.  I’m just glad they gave us a list of questions to ask.

Lizzy:  Yeah.  Especially since we live in the Midwest.  I mean, how many people are there who don’t know about Jesus?

Izzy:  Dunno.  Probably a lot.  I’m just glad that we’re supposed to go in groups of two. 

Lizzy:  Yeah!  That way you can do all the talking!

Izzy:  Nothing doing!  Look!  Here comes a girl!  How do we start a conversation? 

Lizzy:  Um…[walks over to Hannah and Sarah] Hi!  Do you know Jesus?  [Izzy rolls her eyes]

Hannah:  Um…yeah?  Why?

Izzy:  We are supposed to interview some people for our Bright Lights group.  Can we ask you a few questions? 

Hannah:  Sure, I guess.  Can’t say I’ll be able to answer very well…

Izzy:  That’s okay.  So, you said you know Jesus.  What do you believe about him? 

Hannah:  He’s a son of God.  He came to earth to save us from our sins, and if we believe in him and his saving power and are baptized, we will be saved. 

Lizzy:  Cool.  So what do you believe about God?

Izzy:  Does he exist?  Who is he?  Etc.

Hannah:  There is one God.  He is our heavenly father, and he loves us dearly.   He, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit reign together as three separate persons who are one in will, purpose and love.  

Lizzy:  [to Izzy]  I told you that there weren’t a lot of people who weren’t Christian!  

Izzy:  [to Lizzy]  Well, let’s finish talking!  Remember, they warned us that some sounds like Christians but aren’t.   

Lizzy:  Okay…  [to Hannah]  Where do you find what God commands?  Like, what is your Holy Book?

Hannah:  The Bible—

Lizzy: [to Izzy] –See?—

 Hannah:  —and the Book of Mormon—

Izzy: [to Lizzy] –See?—

Hannah:  —although God still reveals scriptural truth to his prophets today.  Our current living prophet is Thomas Monson. 

Lizzy:  Okay.  Um…wow.  How do you please God?

Hannah:  When I obey his word.  I read my Bible and memorize scripture every day, and help strangers whenever I can.  God alone saves, through Jesus Christ, but my good works are proof of my salvation, and I hope to one day live forever in paradise.

Lizzy:  So you believe in hell?

Hannah:  Oh yes.  It is a place of torment for all the sons of perdition, and women who aren’t celestially married to a believing man. 

Lizzy:  Wait, huh?

Hannah:  That’s how I will be saved—by marriage.  See, since we are coheirs with Christ, we will rule with Him forever.  That’s what the Bible says.  So we know that men will rule worlds and have spiritual children with spiritual wives.  However, the only way they can get a spiritual wife is by marrying a woman in a temple.  And marrying is the only way women can live in paradise. 

Lizzy:  That’s…interesting.

Hannah:  It’s a little tough to accept when you think about it at first, but it’s not too strange after a while.  I simply know that the way I please God is by marrying and being subject to my husband.  We both pray often and believe that Jesus Christ came to save us, which is what you believe, isn’t it?

Izzy:  Well…the belief in Jesus part is…I think.

Hannah:  Then we are sisters!

Izzy:  Sure.  Well, thank you for talking with us!

Hannah:  My pleasure!  Have a nice day!  [Hannah walks off]

Izzy:  What was she?

Lizzy:  Dunno.  Book of Mormon?

Izzy:  Spiritual wives?

Lizzy: Ack!  I thought she was a Christian, but I guess not…

Izzy:  Let’s ask Sylvia…

[pause]

·         Worldview: Mormonism

·         How are they different?

o   Jesus is A son of God

o   God created Jesus

o   Jesus and Satan are brothers

o   Jesus is not eternal

o   Jesus is not God

o   God has a “spirit wife”

o   Jesus was conceived by actual relations between God and Mary, not by the Holy Spirit

o   Spiritual wives and children

o   We will rule kingdoms in the afterlife

o   Women are saved by who they marry

·         What questions could they have asked to clarify some of these things?

o   Is Jesus fully God?

o   Is Jesus the son of God?

o   Was Jesus fully human?

o   How was Jesus born?

Skit #2

Chloe:  Great idea to go to the mall.  I’m sure we’ll meet all sorts of people for the homework assignment.

Zoe:  Thanks.  I come here every once in a while just to watch people.  I always wonder what they’re like.

Chloe:  Yeah.  Plus…I get to go to the mall!  Mom never lets me go just to shop, but say I had to do “Bright Lights Homework” was official enough to convince her.

Zoe:  You sneaky thing!

Chloe:  Look!  A jeans shop!  Let’s go in and talk to the cashier.  She looks bored.   And I can look around as we’re leaving.

Zoe:  Great idea.  …talking to the cashier, that is.  You want to talk first?

Chloe:  Um…sure.  [walks over to Jolie]  Hey.

Jolie:  Hi.  Can I help you?

Chloe:  We’re supposed to go around and ask people some questions.

Zoe:  It’s a homework assignment. 

Chloe:  May we talk to you, since no one else is shopping right now?

Jolie:  Sure.

Chloe:  What do you believe about God?

Jolie:  There isn’t a god!

Chloe:  [slightly taken aback]  Okay…um…

Zoe:  I take it you don’t believe in Jesus, either, right?

Jolie:  He’s not god, of course, but I do think he was a Jewish peasant and teacher who has had a huge influence on the world today, mainly because of all the writings about him, whether they’re true or not.  Some people may disagree with me, of course.

Zoe:  So…what happens to you after you die?

Jolie:  You cease to exist.  You know, ashes to ashes and dust to dust, that sorta thing.  Poof.

Zoe:  [wryly]  Lovely.  So, how do you know how to live your life?

Jolie:  Well, I’m a good person.  I’ve not killed anyone, and I don’t cuss more than the average person.  I help a lot of people, and I always smile at customers when they come in.  So I try to live a good life.

Zoe:  Why?  I mean, if you’re just going to die, why live a good life?

Jolie:  It makes me feel good.  And I like feeling good.  Besides, it just feels right.  You asked how I know how to live my life.  I live however I want, being kind to others and all that.  I mean, I might as well be liked in the one life I have.

Chloe:  So you are god, in a way?

Jolie:  I guess you could say that.  But I don’t worship myself or anything.  [laughs]

Chloe:  [to Zoe]  Any other questions?

Zoe:  Do you believe in hell?

Jolie:  Of course not. 

[Chloe looks at Zoe with a “duh!!” expression]

 Jolie:  After all, since there’s no god, who’s going to condemn us to a hell?   

Zoe:  Oh.  Right.  So…basically, you don’t have a ton of hope.  Just this life and you’re gone.

Chloe:  Way to make a girl feel depressed, Zoe.

Jolie:  Naw, it’s fine.  It can seem that way.  I just am enjoying the life I’m in.  After all, since we evolved from slugs, being a human isn’t all that bad!  I can talk and hang out with my boy friend and eat pizza and make other people happy, and a slug can’t do that.  Science can explain everything that the Bible explains for Christians, and since I’m happy, why would I need a god?

Chloe:  I suppose you have a point. 

Zoe:  What’s your favorite book?

Jolie:  You mean, on the topic of religion?  Well, the book that helped me get to where I am is called The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins.  It’s a great book.  My favorite inspirational book is Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen.  I know it’s by a Christian preacher, but it makes me feel so good and happy every time I read it.  You should look it up. 

Zoe:  …I see.  Well, thank you so much for your time.  Mind if we look around a bit?

Jolie:  Be my guest.  I enjoyed talking with you.  I work here every weekday afternoon, so feel free to come on over if you have any more questions…or want to buy any more jeans. 

Chloe:  [laughs]  Thanks.  We will.  [they walk away]

Zoe:  Okay…that was different.  I almost felt like witnessing to her, but she seemed so happy!

Chloe:  Yeah, and her favorite inspirational book was by a Christian. 

Zoe:  Let’s ask Sylvia.  She’ll know what we should have done.

[pause]

·         Worldview: Atheism

·         What follow-up questions could they have asked?

o   How did life start?

o   What is your purpose in life?

o   Why don’t you believe in a God?

o   What if you’re wrong?

·         What tactic could they have used to witness to Jolie?

o   Video from Ray Comfort (6 minutes) http://www.livingwaters.com/video/are-you-a-good-person

Skit #3

Nikki:  Thanks for driving us out here today, Vicky.

Vicky: Not a problem.  I thought the Zoo might be a good place to meet people for our BL homework assignment. 

Nikki:  It sure was!  Look at all these people!  Wonder how many of them are Christians.

Vicky:  Probably not that many.  Look, I bet she’s not a Christian.  [points to Becky]

Nikki:  Let’s go ask.  [walks over to Becky]  Hi.  I’m Nikki, and my friend and I are talking to people here about what they believe.  Can we talk to you?

Becky:  I guess.  What’s it for?

Nikki:  It’s a homework assignment.

Becky:  Sure, then.

Nikki:  Um…[looks down at paper in her hand]…what happens when you die?

Becky:  You are reincarnated. 

Vicky:  Reincarnated?

Becky:  You probably believe that when you die, it’s the end, right?  Well, I know that when I die, all the good karma I’ve gained as a human will be added to my past good karma.  I keep getting reincarnated, over and over again, and, hopefully, I get a little bit better each time…getting more and more good karma, you know?

Nikki:  That’s different….

Vicky:  What’s karma?

Becky:  It literally means “deeds” or “acts”.  As a silly example, if I were to give you a piece of candy, I would earn a small amount of good karma.  If I took your candy, I would earn bad karma.  My goal is to earn enough good karma that I will enter paradise and dwell there with the Supreme Being, Brahman, who created all things.

Vicky:  So you believe in God?

Becky:  There is the Brahman, but I also believe there are 3 main gods.  I guess you could compare them to the Christian trinity.  Brahma is the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer.  But there are a lot of sub-gods, too.  My personal favorite is Ganesha.  He’s the elephant god that you see everywhere.  He’s god of success.

Nikki:  I see.  So what do you think of Jesus?

Becky:  He doesn’t affect us, even if he really lived. 

Vicky:  How do you know all this?  Like, what are your holy texts? 

Becky:  There’s the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda.  They talk all about Karma and reincarnation.

Vicky:  So they tell you what pleases the gods?  …you worship many gods, right?

Becky:  Yes.  Most of the gods are local.  But the ones I mentioned before are among a few that are universal. 

Vicky:  Gotcha.  So what pleases the gods?

Becky:  Living according to the Vedas, of course.  We call it Dharma, or right living, and it’s pretty much the same things as to good karma.  If I live rightly, then I won’t have to suffer as much in my next life. 

Nikki:  So…good karma makes you worthy of paradise?

Becky:  Yes.  However, even after I have attained enough good karma to go to paradise, it won’t last forever.  Soon I’ll be back in the cycle again. 

Vicky:  Won’t you get tired of that?

Becky:  It’s the will of the Brahman!  He made man to amuse himself, so he delights in seeing us live our lives.  But, there is a counter force in the world that is like man, and it is constantly fighting against the gods.

Nikki:  I see.  Wow.  So there is a hell, right?

Becky:  Yes.  But just like paradise, it’s not permanent.  It’s the one time reincarnation works on behalf of man.

Nikki:  Gotcha.  Well…[looks at paper]  I think that’s everything.

Vicky:  I have one more question.  How are you saved?

Becky:  All roads lead to paradise.  You may believe in Jesus, I believe in Brahman, but we’ll both get to paradise.  It’s like a mountain where all paths lead to the top.  Each thinks that his path is the only right one, but when he arrives there, he finds others of different faiths.

Vicky:  Gotcha.  Well, thanks for letting us talk to you!

Becky:  My pleasure.  Have a great day!  [Becky walks off]

Nikki:  I’m not quite sure what she was.  I’ve heard about karma…but usually it’s connected to those “instant karma” videos.

Vicky: Yeah, that’s a bit different.  We’ll just have to ask Sylvia.

[pause]

·         Worldview: Hinduism

·         What are some other facts about Hinduism?

o   Child prostitution

o   It is one of the oldest religions in the world

o   It has a holy river: the river Ganges.  It is considered a goddess in their religion, and it is said that it washes your sins away.  The ground around it is holy, too, and will convey a soul to heaven with all its sins washes away.

o   Hindus are extreme pacifists

o   Ghandi was a Hindu

·         How could the girls have brought Jesus into the conversation?

o   When Becky mentioned the paths to heaven, the girls could have followed that conversation to the end.  For example:

Becky:  All roads lead to paradise.  You may believe in Jesus, I believe in Brahman, but we’ll both get to paradise.  It’s like a mountain where all paths lead to the top.  Each thinks that his path is the only right one, but when he arrives there, he finds others of different faiths.

Nikki:  So all paths lead to heaven, right?

Becky:  Yup.

Nikki:  So you’re saying that we have struggled our whole lives to get to the top.  Every good deed is one step up, and every bad deed is one step down, right?

Becky:  Right.

Nikki:  It’s a hard journey your whole life, isn’t it?  Every religion the same…laboring to the top—heaven.

Becky:  It is.

Nikki:  All except one.

Becky:  I beg your pardon?

Nikki:  There is a God in heaven, right? 

Becky:  Yes…

Nikki:  You believe that you climb up to God.  I believe that God has come down to us, and is taking me up the mountain. I’m not climbing it.  I can’t.  I’m believing in Jesus…God come to earth.

                        And from there, Nikki has an open door to tell Becky about Jesus and the good news of salvation.

Skit #4

Leah:  I didn’t know you were allowed to talk about religion at your school!

Mia:  Well, it’s not really my school.  It’s my older sister’s college.  She said that we should talk to her sociology prof.

Leah:  That sounds scary.

Mia:  It shouldn’t be too bad.  Anyway, here’s the room.  That must be her prof.

Leah:  Guess so.  You get to talk first.  After all, it’s your sister’s prof…

Mia:  Fine.  Hi, Ms. Lily.  My sister Kayla is in your sociology class.  We’re doing a religion homework assignment, and she suggested talking to you.

Lily:  Sure, hon!  What do you want to know?

Mia:  Is there a God?

Lily: Oh, it really depends.  I personally think that we’re all gods, but my BFF thinks that god is the universe while also being bigger than the universe.  But I’m more comfortable with us all being gods.  I mean, it all makes sense that way!

Leah:  I see.  So, what do you believe about Jesus?

Lily: He was a magic dude.  I mean, he was a good moral preacher and all, but he wasn’t god any more than I am.  He just attained enlightenment earlier than most people, probably with dark magic.

Leah:  How do you know he was a moral preacher?  I mean, you said that everyone is god, so what makes something moral?

Lily:  [laughs]  Well, I probably should have clarified.  The only thing that I might consider more “god-like” would be goodness.  Like, I think goodness is god.  Goodness, as I know you are about to ask, is anything that makes everyone feel happy.  Punching is not goodness because one person is sad while the other is happy.  Love is goodness because both people are happy.

Mia:  I guess that makes sense.  So goodness is happiness.  But…um…[looks at paper in her hand] Where did we come from?

Lily:  We came from the “positive life force” that rules the universe.  Since we first came into being, we’ve just been regenerating.  See, we’re actually spirit beings, not physical, so we just keep on living, sometimes in a state of nothingness, and sometimes in a human body.  Heaven and hell are just delusions, caused by a lack of knowledge.

Leah:  …I guess that answers our hell/heaven question.

Lily:  Well, think about it, hon.  If everything is god, how can there be a state of more-god (heavenly bliss) or less god (hellish torment)?

Leah:  I guess that makes sense…

Mia:  How do you know what’s right and wrong?  I mean, you said that goodness is “god”, but what if someone doesn’t agree with you.  What then?  What if I think that punching is goodness and love isn’t?

Lily:  Then you just have to go with whatever feels comfortable.  See, I think we’re all gods.  You might think that only energy is god.  It’s cool.  I think that drugs are the best way to attain knowledge of the world, but you like oiji boards.  Go for it, girl!  I think all religions lead to the same end, but you’re more concerned with protecting mother earth.  All’s cool, hon! 

Leah:  So…wait.  What’s the purpose of life, then?  Can you be saved from this world?  I mean, we all agree this earth stinks, right?

Lily:  Oh, I believe in a salvation, of sorts.  Everyone is seeking oneness with the “impersonal life forces” that created us.  Once everyone is in tune with them, we’ll have world peace, because the forces have the essential goodness wrapped up in them.

Leah:  How do you get to be one with them?

Lily:  Oh, there are a lot of ways.  Chrystal balls, magic, drugs, amulets, fortunetellers, etc. 

Mia:  [slowly]  I see…

Leah:  But if we’re all gods, why is there suffering?

Lily:  Oh, that’s easy.  Sometimes suffering happens because I was greedy or hateful in a past lifetime.  Enlightenment doesn’t happen at once, you know.  Sometimes suffering happens to teach a lesson (think of a finger on a hot stove).  But the main thing to remember is that suffering isn’t really real.  After all, can a ghost feel pain?

Mia:  No…

Lily:  Yet we are only spirits, not physical.  So pain is just an illusion…

Leah:  I see.  Um…I’m trying to remember our last question… [looks at Mia]

Mia:  Is man sinful?

Lily:  Whatever you want!  I don’t think so.  It doesn’t make me comfortable to think that I’m sinful.

Mia:  Gotcha.  Well, thanks for letting us talk to you. 

Lily:  My pleasure.  See ya, dearies!  [she walks off]

Leah:  I believe your sister now!  She’s quite a character!

Mia:  Yeah….And I have NO idea which religion she is!  Do you?  [Leah shakes head]

[pause]

·         Worldview: New Age

·         Can you point out some logical fallacies in Lily’s arguments?

o   Everyone is god

o   Goodness

o   Positive life force

§  We’re all right

§  Goodness is the end of all things

o   We came from the positive life force

o   Mother earth

·         How could the girls have pinned down some of these inaccuracies?

o   Ask Lily to define “god”

o   Ask Lily to define “positive life force”

o   What happens after world peace is attained?

o   Define happy.

Skit #5

[this skit is delivered almost completely in whispers, as it takes place in a library]

Bella:  And why again did you think it was a good idea to go to the library?

Stella:  So we could do research!  Jael said to go and talk to people so we could find out more about religions.  Why don’t we read books and find out about the religions?  That way we don’t have to bother anyone!

Bella:  I think the goal was to get us talking to others about religion.

Stella:  I don’t like talking to people.

Bella:  [pointing to Esther]  There!  She looks nice.  Let’s talk to her.

Stella:  [groaning]  Why did we get paired up?!

Bella:  [to Esther]  Hi.  Can we ask you a couple questions about your religion?  [Esther hesitates]  Homework assignment.

Esther:  I guess.  But make sure you talk quietly.  I don’t want to get in trouble.

Bella:  [whispers]  Okay.  First question: Do you believe in God, and if so, what is He like?

Esther:  There is the Almighty, and he is loving, just, powerful, and good.

Bella:  Does he have a name?

Esther:  Yes, but we never say it.  We say Hashem, or “the Name”.  He has commanded us, “Thou shalt not take the name of Hashem in vain; for Hashem will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
Stella:  [excited]  We have something like that too!  It’s one of the ten commandments.
Esther:  Shh!  Not so loud!  [looks at Stella]  So you believe in Hashem, too?
Stella:  Well…I think so.  Um…[looks at paper Bella is holding]  What do you believe about Jesus?

Esther:  He was deluded.  Yes, he spoke good, moral things, but he also said that Hashem was his father.  This is impossible, for the Shema, our declaration of faith, states, “Hear, O Israel: Hashem is our Lord, Hashem is one.”  How could He have a son?

Stella:  That is an understandable problem. 

Bella:  How are you saved, then and go to heaven?

Esther:  Our salvation is brought about merely by the grace and mercy of Hashem!  He is righteous and we are not, so our salvation is by his grace alone!  But we must do as he commands, out of love and thankfulness.

Bella:  I’m assuming you use something like our Bible, right?  I mean, you quote from our Exodus. 

Esther:  Yes, of course.  Our “Bible”, as you put it, is called the Tanakh.  It has three parts: the Torah, or Law; the Nevi’im, or Prophets, and Ketuvim, or writings. 

Bella:  Wow.  Well, what I was about to ask is, what is the law for?  You said you were saved by God’s mercy…

Esther:  It tells us how Hashem calls us to live.  We are His chosen people, and He commands us to live this way. 

Stella:  So man can actually live up to those standards?

Esther:  Of course!  Why else would Hashem have put them there?

Stella:  So is man born sinful?

Esther:  Well, sort of.  We are born with a good nature and an evil nature.  Our lives are spent trying to make the good nature triumph over the evil.  Hence the law.

Bella:  What happens after you die, then?  Like, is there a hell/heaven?

Esther:  There is a heaven that all believers in Hashem go to, to live with Him.  We also believe in Sheol, where all evil people go until they have been punished for all their sins. 

Stella:  What pleases God?

Esther:  Worshipping Him alone and following His commands.  Jesus, despite his other faults, had it right when a scribe asked him which commandment was the greatest.  He said, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one, and you are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your understanding, and all your strength.  And the second is this: You are to love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Bella:  Oh, I love that passage! 

Stella:  Do you believe in the Messiah?

Esther:  [excitedly] I believe that, one day, the Messiah will come, as Hashem foretold, and free my people, gathering us all back to the country He gave to my forefathers.  I can only hope I’ll be around to see it!

Stella:  Shh!  [whispers]  Well, thank you for talking with us!

Esther:  Not a problem. [walks away]

Bella:  I think we have our facts gathered.  We’re just missing the religion!

[pause]

·         Worldview: Judaism

·         Esther believed much the same thing as we do.  Will she be in heaven?

o   Something to consider: http://adam4d.com/christians-jews/

·         How can we witness to Jews?  I mean, they’re so close…but so far!  How can you reach someone who’s been conditioned to reject Jesus?

o   Be careful which terms you use (Messiah instead of Christ, Jewish people instead of Jew, believer instead of Christian, Hebrew portion instead of Old Testament, etc.)

o   Jesus was Jewish, so believing in His completes them

o   Talk about what the Messiah is supposed to do, and turn their eyes away from the conquering king to Jesus

o   Do a word study with them on the word “one” from the Shema.  Use it to witness to them about the trinity

o   If they bring up Jesus being fully God and fully man, mention all the times God appeared in human form (Sodom, Joshua, etc.)

o   Holocaust and Christian-Jewish persecution?  Clarify that what God commands and what “Christians” do aren’t always the same.

 General tips for witnessing:

1. ASK QUESTIONS! 

     -shows that you are interested in their views/them as a person, not just trying to win a convert to brag about 

     -puts THEM, rather than YOU, in the position where they need to defend their beliefs 

     -can often show up logical errors without confrontation 

     -lets them see the problems with their own thinking, rather than you telling them what to believe

2. Stone in the shoe tactic 

     -Leave them with something to think about: a "stone in their shoe" that keeps bothering them until they pull it out and resolve it 

     -Leave them wondering, "how can I reconcile what I believe about ____ with the fact that ___?"  

3. Our lives prove what we believe... 

     -Actions speak louder than words! 

     -Being harsh or judgmental ("you horrible person! You're going to hell!") will only push people away--showing love and care draws them in. 

     -When argument fails, many times actions will prove Christ. 

     -Integrity: actions have to be consistent, regardless of whether someone is watching! 

4. Always be prepared 

     -Be knowledgeable about other religions 

     -If not knowledgeable about someone's religion, ask questions and learn about it from them! 

     -Know what YOU believe and be ready to share it! (1 Peter 3:15-16) 

5. Take every opportunity! 

     -Several years ago, Cecily and I (Sylvia) were playing with a young girl on a playground who believed in fairies. Like, that was pretty much her religion. I wanted to witness to her, but when the opportunity came up in the conversation, I didn't jump on it. I've regretted that for years! 

     -Make use of conversation starters!  John and I (Sylvia) have t-shirts for Save the Storks, a pro-life organization. Not too long ago, we were able to use them to talk to a woman about abortion. We used the "stone in the shoe" tactic as well. :) 

Book Recommendations:

Letters to a Young Progressive by Mike Adams* 
Mike Adams, a Christian college professor and constitutional advocate, writes letters to a student who has been taken in by the progressive movement. Mike Adams uses plenty of humor as he debunks the myths of progressivism, atheism, and more. Note: we do NOT recommend this to younger girls, as it contains some graphic descriptions and mature content. However, to girls able to handle this, it is a wonderful resource. 

Tactics by Greg Koukl 
There are plenty of apologetics books that deal with the facts of Christianity, but facts can only go so far. In this book, Greg Koukl trains Christians on the methods of argument, giving advice on how to deal with people who try to intimidate, won’t let you get a word in, or become angry with you for simply expressing your beliefs. He also goes into ways to pinpoint and illuminate logical fallacies, finding the errors in an opponent’s beliefs, then explain this in a loving and gracious manner. 

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis 
C. S. Lewis lays out apologetics for the very basics of Christianity, explaining why they make sense. 

Will Our Generation Speak? by Grace Mally 
Grace Mally, a young lady who has been witnessing for pretty much her entire life, talks about ways to witness, tips for overcoming fear of witnessing, personal stories, etc. Her viewpoint is very relatable and understandable for all ages.