WEEK 1: FOUNDATIONS - Defending What You Believe

Theme: Building on the Rock - Core Christian Beliefs

Welcome & Course Overview

• Matthew 28:18-20 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"

Why Evangelism Matters

• Romans 10:13-15 - "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"

The Foundation Principle

• Matthew 7:24-27 - The parable of building on the rock vs. sand

• You cannot effectively share what you don't solidly understand

• 1 Peter 3:15 - "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. But do this with gentleness and respect."

PART 1: THE GOSPEL IN 3 MINUTES

What IS the Good News?

The Four-Point Gospel Framework:

1. GOD'S DESIGN

• Genesis 1:27 - "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

• Genesis 1:31 - "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."

• God created us for relationship with Him

• We were made to reflect His glory and enjoy His presence

2. HUMANITY'S PROBLEM

• Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

• Romans 6:23a - "For the wages of sin is death..."

• Isaiah 59:2 - "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."

• Ephesians 2:1-3 - We were dead in our transgressions and sins

• Sin broke our relationship with God and brought death (spiritual and physical)

• We cannot fix this ourselves - no amount of good works can bridge the gap

3. GOD'S SOLUTION

• Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

• John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

• 1 Peter 3:18 - "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."

• Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn't live

• Jesus died the death we deserved

• Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

4. OUR RESPONSE

• Romans 10:9-10 - "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

• Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

• Acts 3:19 - "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

• John 1:12 - "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

Practice: Pair up and practice sharing the gospel in 3 minutes using these four points.

PART 2: THE TRINITY - Why It Matters in Evangelism

The Biblical Foundation: One God of gods, three distinct persons, one divine essence

Old Testament Hints:

• Genesis 1:26 - "Then God said, 'Let US make mankind in OUR image, in OUR likeness...'" (plural)

• Isaiah 48:16 - "And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, endowed with his Spirit." (Father, Messiah, Spirit)

• Genesis 18:1-2 - The LORD appears to Abraham as three men (c.f. Gen 19:24 – the two YHWHs)

The Nature of God - One God:

• Deuteronomy 6:4 - "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."

• Isaiah 43:10 - "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me."

• Isaiah 44:6 - "I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."

• Isaiah 45:5 - "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God."

The Father is God:

• John 6:27 - "God the Father has set his seal of approval"

• 1 Corinthians 8:6 - "Yet for us there is but one God, the Father"

Jesus (the Son) is God:

• John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

• John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."

• John 20:28 - Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

• Colossians 2:9 - "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form."

• Philippians 2:6 - Christ Jesus "being in very nature God"

• Hebrews 1:3 - "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being"

• Hebrews 1:8 - "But about the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever.'"

• Titus 2:13 - "our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ"

• 2 Peter 1:1 - "our God and Savior Jesus Christ"

• Rev 2:8 – “I am the first and the last, who died and came to life”

The Holy Spirit is God:

• Acts 5:3-4 - "You have lied to the Holy Spirit... You have not lied just to human beings but to God."

• 1 Corinthians 3:16 - "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?"

• 2 Corinthians 3:17 - "Now the Lord is the Spirit"

The Three Together:

• Matthew 28:19 - "baptizing them in the name (singular) of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 - "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

• 1 Peter 1:2 - "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ"

• Ephesians 4:4-6 - "There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord... one God and Father of all"

Why This Matters in Evangelism

Muslims say: "Christians believe in three gods - that's polytheism!"

• Response: We believe in ONE God who eternally exists in three persons

• The word "Trinity" isn't in the Bible, but the concept is thoroughly biblical

• Analogy (imperfect but helpful): H₂O exists as water, ice, and steam - same substance, different forms

Jehovah's Witnesses say: "The Trinity is a pagan doctrine invented at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD!"

• Response: The Trinity wasn't invented; it was defended against heresy

• All the Scripture we just read predates Nicaea by 200-300 years

• Early church fathers (Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr - all pre-200 AD) taught the Trinity

PART 3: THE DEITY OF CHRIST - Our Central Claim

Jesus' Direct Claims to Be God

1. "I AM" Statements (Claiming the Divine Name)

• John 8:58 - "Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

• Context: The Jews immediately tried to stone Him for blasphemy (John 8:59)

• Exodus 3:14 - God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

2. "I and the Father Are One"

• John 10:30 - "I and the Father are one."

• John 10:31-33 - "Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him... 'for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.'"

• The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming

3. Claiming Authority Only God Has

• Matthew 9:2-6 - Jesus forgives sins (only God can forgive sins)

• The Pharisees rightly understood: "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:7)

• John 5:18 - "He was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God."

Jesus Accepted Worship (Which Belongs to God Alone)

• Matthew 14:33 - "Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'"

• John 9:38 - The healed blind man: "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

• Matthew 28:9 - After the resurrection, women "clasped his feet and worshiped him"

• Philippians 2:10-11 - "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord"

• Revelation 5:13-14 - All creation worships "him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb"

Contrast:

• Acts 10:25-26 - Peter refused worship: "Stand up, I am only a man myself"

• Revelation 22:8-9 - The angel refused worship: "Worship God!"

• Jesus NEVER refused worship - because He is God

Jesus' Attributes (Only God Possesses These)

Eternal:

• John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word"

• Colossians 1:17 - "He is before all things"

• Revelation 22:13 - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End"

• Micah 5:2 - His origins are "from of old, from ancient times" (eternal)

Omnipresent:

• Matthew 18:20 - "Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them"

• Matthew 28:20 - "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age"

Omniscient:

• John 2:24-25 - "He knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person"

• John 21:17 - Peter says, "Lord, you know all things"

• Colossians 2:3 - "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"

Omnipotent:

• Colossians 1:16-17 - "For in him all things were created... all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together"

• Hebrews 1:3 - "sustaining all things by his powerful word"

• Matthew 28:18 - "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me"

Immutable (Unchanging):

• Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever"

Old Testament Prophecies Identifying Messiah as God

• Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"

• Isaiah 7:14 - "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us" - Matthew 1:23)

• Jeremiah 23:5-6 - The Branch will be called "The LORD Our Righteous Savior"

• Psalm 110:1 - "The LORD says to my Lord" (Jesus uses this in Matthew 22:41-46 to prove Messiah is divine)

PART 4: SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE

The Clarity of Scripture on Salvation

Saved by Grace, Not Works:

• Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

• Titus 3:5 - "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy"

• Romans 11:6 - "And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace"

Faith Alone:

• Romans 3:28 - "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law"

• Romans 4:5 - "to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness"

• Galatians 2:16 - "know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ"

• Acts 16:31 - "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved"

Christ's Work is Complete:

• John 19:30 - "It is finished" (Greek: tetelestai - "paid in full")

• Hebrews 10:10 - "we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all"

• Hebrews 10:14 - "by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy"

• Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"

We Can Have Assurance

• 1 John 5:13 - "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may KNOW that you have eternal life"

• John 10:28-29 - "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand"

• Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord"

Why This Matters in Evangelism

Islam teaches: Salvation by works, no assurance (even Muhammad wasn't sure - Hadith Sahih Bukhari 5:266)

Mormonism teaches: "For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23) - grace as a supplement to works

Jehovah's Witnesses teach: Faith + works + endurance + organization loyalty = maybe salvation

Our message: Jesus paid it ALL. He offers FREE salvation as a GIFT. You can KNOW you're saved TODAY.

PART 5: THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

The Bible's Self-Testimony

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work"

• 2 Peter 1:20-21 - "prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit"

• Psalm 119:160 - "All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal"

• John 17:17 - Jesus prays: "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth"

Jesus' View of Scripture

• Matthew 4:4 - "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"

• Matthew 5:18 - "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished"

• John 10:35 - "Scripture cannot be set aside"

• Luke 24:27 - Jesus explained "what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself"

Why This Matters

Muslims claim: The Bible has been corrupted (tahrif). BTW, The koran is Islam’s version of Jesus. We do not view the Bible in the same lense as the Koran – “Allah’s eternal Speech”. For us (and Ironically, them) Jesus is the Eternal Word of God.

Mormons claim: The Bible is the word of God "as far as it is translated correctly" (8th Article of Faith) - implying it's unreliable

JWs claim: Only the New World Translation is accurate

Our foundation: The Bible is God's inspired, preserved, authoritative Word. It is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

PART 6: THE RESURRECTION - Our Primary Apologetic

The Historical Evidence

1. Jesus Really Died

• John 19:33-34 - Spear thrust, blood and water (medical proof of death)

• Roman soldiers were executioners - they didn't make mistakes

• John 19:38-40 - Joseph and Nicodemus prepared the body

2. The Empty Tomb

• Luke 24:3 - "but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus"

• Even Jesus' enemies admitted the tomb was empty (Matthew 28:11-15)

• No one ever produced the body

3. The Appearances

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - Paul lists the resurrection appearances:

  • Peter

  • The Twelve

  • 500+ believers at once (most still alive when Paul wrote)

  • James (Jesus' skeptical brother)

  • All the apostles

  • Paul himself

• Acts 1:3 - "After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days"

4. The Transformation of the Disciples

• Before: Hiding in fear (John 20:19)

• After: Boldly proclaiming Jesus' resurrection, willing to die (Acts 5:41)

• Acts 4:13 - "they took note that these men had been with Jesus"

• People don't die for what they KNOW is a lie

5. The Growth of the Church

• Acts 2:41 - 3,000 believers in one day (in Jerusalem, where everyone could verify the resurrection)

• Acts 4:4 - 5,000 believers

• Something massive happened to explain this explosive growth

Why This Matters

• Romans 10:9 - "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved"

• 1 Corinthians 15:14 - "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith"

• 1 Corinthians 15:17 - "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins"

The resurrection proves:

• Jesus is who He claimed to be (God)

• His sacrifice was accepted by the Father

• Death is defeated

• We will be raised too (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

APOLOGETICS FOCUS: Common Attacks & Responses

Attack #1: "The Trinity is Polytheism" (Islamic Argument)

Muslim Claim: Christians worship three gods - Allah, Jesus, and Mary (Surah 5:116 misrepresents Christian belief)

Response:

• We worship ONE God who exists eternally as three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit

• Deuteronomy 6:4 - "The LORD our God (this is plural), the LORD is one"

• Not three gods, but one God in three persons

• Mary is NOT part of the Trinity - Muhammad misunderstood Christian theology

• Muslims believe Allah has 99 names/attributes - we believe God has three persons

• The Quran gets the Trinity wrong, which proves Muhammad didn't understand Christianity

Attack #2: "Jesus is Michael the Archangel" (JW Argument)

JW Claim: Jesus is a created being, the archangel Michael, not God

Response:

• Hebrews 1:5 - "For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son'?" (Answer: NONE)

• Hebrews 1:6 - "Let all God's angels worship him" - Angels worship Jesus! Angels don't worship other angels

• Hebrews 1:13 - "To which of the angels did God ever say, 'Sit at my right hand'?" (Answer: NONE)

• Colossians 1:16 - Jesus created ALL things, including angels. Michael is an angel. Jesus created Michael.

• You can't be both Creator and created

• Daniel 10:13 - Michael is called "one of the chief princes" - ONE OF, not THE ONLY

Attack #3: "Jesus is a Different Jesus" (Mormon Argument)

Mormon Claim: Jesus is the spirit brother of Lucifer, one god among many, who "became" God

Response:

• Galatians 1:8-9 - "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!"

• This is literally "another Jesus" and "another gospel" Paul warned about

• Isaiah 43:10 - "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me"

• Isaiah 44:6 - "I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God"

• God doesn't "become" God - He is eternally God

• Psalm 90:2 - "from everlasting to everlasting you are God"

• Jesus and Lucifer are NOT brothers - one is Creator, one is created (Colossians 1:16)

CLOSING & COMMISSIONING

The Great Commission

• Matthew 28:18-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."

• Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth"

Your Assignment This Week

You are being built into a strong foundation. In the coming weeks we'll learn to add POWER to this foundation. But first, you must KNOW what you believe.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT - WEEK 1

1. Reading

• Required: Robbie Dawkins, "Do What Jesus Did" - Chapters 1-3

  • Chapter 1: God's Intention for You

  • Chapter 2: The Power of God

  • Chapter 3: The Kingdom of God

2. Scripture Memory

Memorize these key verses (pick at least 3, but try for all 5):

1. Romans 10:9-10 (Salvation)

2. Ephesians 2:8-9 (Salvation by grace)

3. John 1:1, 14 (Deity of Christ)

4. Isaiah 43:10 (One God - anti-Mormon)

5. 1 Peter 3:15 (Always be ready to give an answer)

3. Written Assignment

Write a one-page paper (250-300 words) titled: "Why I Believe Jesus is God"

Requirements:

• Use at least 5 Scripture references

• Include at least one argument you could use against each group:

  • Muslims (who deny Jesus is God)

  • Jehovah's Witnesses (who say Jesus is an angel)

  • Mormons (who say Jesus is "a god" who became God)

• Write in your own words as if explaining to a friend

4. Practice Exercise

Partner up with someone in the class this week (exchange phone numbers/emails today)

• Practice your 3-minute gospel presentation with them (in person, phone, or video call)

• Time each other

• Give each other feedback

• Practice at least TWICE before next class

5. Prayer Assignment

This week, pray specifically for:

• Boldness to share the gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20)

• One person who needs Jesus (write their name down)

• Open doors for gospel conversations (Colossians 4:3)

Pray this daily: "Lord, help me to know You more deeply and make You known more boldly. Give me a divine appointment this week to share the hope I have in Jesus. Amen."

6. Optional Deep Dive

For those who want to go deeper, read or watch:

Books:

• "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis (especially Book 2 on who Jesus is)

• "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel (Chapter on resurrection)

Online Resources:

• Watch "The Bible vs. The Book of Mormon" (short video on YouTube)

• Read "How to Explain the Trinity to Kids" (helps simplify complex doctrine)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR WEEK 1

Recommended Reading on the Trinity

• "Delighting in the Trinity" by Michael Reeves

• "The Forgotten Trinity" by James White

Recommended Apologetics Resources

• www.str.org (Stand to Reason - Greg Koukl)

• www.rzim.org (Ravi Zacharias International Ministries)

• www.reasonablefaith.org (William Lane Craig)

Quick Reference Card (Suggested for Students to Create)

Create a 3x5 card with:

• The 4-point gospel (front)

• 5 key verses on deity of Christ (back)

Keep it in your wallet/purse for quick reference when opportunities arise.