Aim: To challenge the group to think through moral, ethical and religious questions and to do it from a Christian viewpoint.
Objectives: At the end of the two sessions the group should:
- See the importance of being ready with an answer.
- Be beginning to formulate answers to tough questions they may be asked.
- See that winning an argument isn’t as important as keeping a friend!
Personally Speaking – Adrian’s Story…
I’m not very strong on apologetics. I tend to disappear up my own analogies.
I do however remember one good one from when I did the ‘Street Invaders’ weeks mentioned earlier. We were discussing life, the universe, etc. and got round to creation versus evolution. My answer was fairly simple but probably not profound. I told the person I was talking to that evolution and the big bang were ridiculous and were like putting bits of plastic in the oven and hoping to come out with a digital watch. When we were told that one during the learning part of the programme I thought it was great and I managed to use it too! I don’t remember much of the conversation after that, nor whether the person became a Christian….but it was a great answer.
Beforehand…
You will need to gather together enough small soft balls and reasonable sized bucket like containers for each team you plan to have in the first game. You will also need 15-20 general knowledge questions. Either use the ones provided below or borrow some from a Trivial Pursuits game.
The Session:
Warming Up – Ready, Steady, Bounce
A reasonably large room is required for the physical aspect of this game. Split the group into 2, 3 or 4 teams – depending on how many balls and buckets you could find and the numbers in your group. Place each bucket at the opposite end of the room to the teams and give each team a ball.
The object of the game is to get as many questions correct as possible. Before you read a question out to the teams you need to call out a method for them to transport the ball from the team to the bucket. Use a different method for each question e.g. Roll it with your nose, carry it tucked under your chin, bounce it with one hand, two of you form a wheelbarrow and pusher and balance the ball on the back of the wheelbarrow. The possibilities are limited only by imagination and flexibility. Having read the question out, if the teams think they know the answer they have to get the ball to the bucket using the method described. The first team to reach the buckets gets to answer the question.
There is no reason for this manic game other than it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Some Questions:
- In which year did the Titanic sink? 1912
- Name the Capital of Russia. Moscow
- How many feet in a yard? 3
- Where do you find penguins – in the Arctic or the Antarctic? Antarctic
- Who reigned before Elisabeth II? George the Sixth
- Who designed St. Pauls Cathedral? Christopher Wren
- Which animals babies are called ‘Joeys’? Kangaroos
- What follows green at a set of UK traffic lights? Flashing Amber
- In computer terms what is ROM? Read Only Memory
- When did World War Two end? 1945
- Who wrote the ‘Merchant of Venice’? William Shakespeare
- How many squares are there on a chess board? 64
- What is another name for Sodium Chloride? Salt
- Name two things, beginning with ‘W’ you will find in a candle. Wax & Wick
- Which breed of cat is born without a tail? Manx
- Which US President was an actor before he became President? Ronald Reagan
- Name the river that flows through London. Thames
- How many planets are there in the Solar System? 9
- Who first stepped on the moon? Neil Armstrong
- How many sides does a Dodecahedron have? 12
The Biblical Perspective – Be Prepared
1 Peter 3:15-16
Peter’s first letter was probably written to a group of fairly new Christians. In the section that contains the verses we are looking at Peter is directing his attention to the question of how Christians should respond to persecution and suffering.
The world hates Christians because of what they stand for and who they represent. Peter exhorts them not to fight fire with fire. He tells them not to react by trading insult for insult but instead to bless those who persecute them.
In verses 15 and 16 of chapter 3 there is the expectation that we will have a reasoned argument for what we believe and that we will deliver the answer gently. Not the way the questioners might expect to be answered. Matthew Henry comments that “Christians should have a reason ready for their Christianity, that it may appear they are not actuated either by folly or fancy.”
Answering questions about our faith and having to think through the issues that arise as we prepare our answer is a good way to build faith and knowledge as we see the breadth and the depth of the Word of God.
Use some or all of the above to set the background for the following questions. Ask someone in the group to read out the passage.
Questions:
- Why do you think you should be prepared to give answers?
- Why might you be asked?
- How are you to go about answering the questions you are asked? (compare with Proverbs 15:1)
This quick look at why we should have answers leads onto the next section.
Over To You – No need to apologise
Ask the group to think up questions about Christianity that people may ask them. The questions can be about anything – nothing is taboo. You may need to guide them. Below are some sample questions that you could throw in if the group get stuck.
Each person only needs to think up one question but needs to write it down on two separate pieces of paper.
Once the questions are all written collect them in. Put them all in a tub and then pass the tub around and ask each of the group to take two slips of paper. If they get the same question twice tell them to put it back and choose another one.
When everyone has two slips explain that they are to choose one of the slips and during the time between this session and the next are to write an answer to the question as best they can. They will need to think through the implications of their answer and prepare any defence they think is necessary.
For the second slip they are to prepare an argument against the question. They can be as narrow minded as they like!
Some example questions for if they get really stuck:
- What about suffering?
- Isn’t it all subjective?
- Can’t you just believe any religion, surely they all lead to the same God?
- What gives you the right to say you ‘have the truth’?
- How do you know you’re right?
- What about religious wars, how do you explain them away?
- Evolution is more logical isn’t it?
- What about free will?
- I’ve been good all my life! Why should I go to hell?
Pulling It Together
This session carries on the next time the group meets. It is probably worth pointing out to the group that you are not going to prepare any answers to the questions. The next session depends on them. If they prepare nothing, not much is going to happen.