Answering Difficult Questions - Stonecroft

Answering Difficult Questions

Stonecroft Evangelism Tools

Answering Difficult Questions

Stonecroft Evangelism Tools

Stonecroft 10561 Barkley, Suite 500 Overland Park, KS 66212 800.525.8627

Copyright ? 2014 by Stonecroft Ministries, Inc.

Notice of Rights

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author. For information on permissions for reprints and excerpts, contact connections@.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ? 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scriptures identified as (NIV) are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION?, NIV? Copyright ? 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.? Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Rev. 11 2014

Answering Difficult Questions

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Contents

Answering Difficult Questions

4 Introduction--How to Answer Difficult Questions

5 Does God exist?

7 Aren't there many ways to God?

9 What about the people who never heard about Jesus Christ?

11 How can a Good God allow evil things to happen?

12 Why should I believe that Jesus is God?

14 Is the Bible true? Why should I believe any of the claims of the Bible such as Jesus' resurrection and miracles?

17 So, I can do anything I want and still be forgiven, right?

18 Stonecroft Evangelism Tools

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Introduction--How to Answer Difficult Questions

Everyone has questions. When your friend asks you questions about the Christian faith, be thankful for the opportunity to share the Gospel. "...if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it." (1 Peter 3:15).

Here are some tips for answering your friend's spiritually-related questions.

? Be gentle (2 Timothy 2:23-26). Your goal isn't to debate or prove your point. Share your thoughts lovingly and pray that God would work in your friend's heart. Remember that God--not your arguments--will ultimately change her heart.

? Ask questions in return. Encourage your friend's curiosity to know God and read the Bible. Use every opportunity to learn more about what your friend believes.

? If your friend rejects the Gospel, don't take it personally. She is in conflict with God, not you. Try to find out how your friend feels about God. Discover why she is refusing Him and His truth.

? Acknowledge you don't know all the answers. Be willing to say "I don't know. Can I get back to you?"

Volumes have been written to answer the most frequently asked questions about the Christian faith. Our purpose is to give you summary answers--ideas of what to say if your friend asks one of these questions. Remember, you don't need to provide all the answers. We encourage you to study more in-depth resources if you desire more information on a certain topic.

Small Group Use

Discussion questions provided at the end of each section allow your group to review and discuss each topic.

1. Ask someone in your small group to read the "difficult question" and the response.

2. Together discuss the content using the small group questions at the conclusion of each section.

We hope these questions promote further consideration about the specific topic, and through discussion provide a deeper understanding and confidence to address it when asked.

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Does God exist?

Evidence of God ? Every design has a

designer.

The Universe is highly complex in design--therefore the Universe has a Designer.

Take a look around. Since our cosmos has amazing precision, could it have resulted from an explosion? William Paley, and English clergyman of the 18th Century, offers a great example when he said that every watch requires a watchmaker. Imagine you're taking a walk through a forest near your home. As you walk you notice a beautiful gold watch lying near a tree stump. Immediately you wonder how it got there. Do you think, did the wind and rain come together to form such a beautiful piece of art?

No, you would never think such a ridiculous thing! You would think something like, I wonder if someone dropped this beautiful watch? You know the watch was designed by a talented watchmaker. It didn't result from the wind, rain, erosion, or an explosion. It has clear marks of design. It has a purpose; it conveys information; and it is specifically complex.

The universe is much more precise and awe-inspiring than any watch! When Isaac Newton studied our solar system he said, "This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being."

Evidence of God--If the Universe had a

beginning, it had a cause.

This evidence for God uses The Law of Causality, a fundamental principle of science. This law says, "Everything that has a beginning has a cause."

Answering Difficult Questions

Stonecroft Evangelism Tools

The Universe is highly complex in design--therefore the Universe has a Designer.

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