Introduction to Apologetics

This course teaches the scientific, historical, and philosophical basis for a Christian worldview, and shows how the Christian faith is consistent with reason and reality.

Explanations and Directions for Class Leaders

This course introduces the basic principles of apologetics. You should allot 90-120 minutes for the class, in addition to time for doing assignments outside of class.

Discussion questions and in-class activities are indicated by this symbol ►. For discussion questions, the class leader should ask the question and give students time to discuss the answer. Try to make sure that all students in the class are involved in the discussion. If necessary, you can call on students by name.

Many footnotes refer to a Scripture reference. Please have students look up the verses and read them during the class. Unless indicated otherwise, Scripture quotations in the lessons are from the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.

Section reviews are included throughout each lesson. These questions will be included on the tests. Take time to review each question during each class and at the end of each class. If you are studying as a group, have one member of the group answer each question. If you are studying individually, answer each question. If you do not know the answer, look back in the previous section for the answer.

Each lesson will include three assignments. Assignments should be completed and reported before the next lesson time.

1. The first assignment will be directed to the head. This will be a test to be taken at the beginning of the next class after the lesson is complete. Tests should be taken without referring to the course book, written notes, or to classmates. A test answer key is available for download at ShepherdsGlobal.org.
2. The second assignment will be directed to the heart. These brief assignments are intended to remind students that a true apologetic speaks to more than the mind. These assignments will sometimes be a personal testimony. Take time in the class to share these testimonies.
3. The third assignment will be directed to the hands. This is the student’s opportunity to put their class learning into practice. In many ways, this is the most important part of the course. If students do not practice the principles taught in the lessons, they will rarely remember or apply the principles later. Take time to discuss these assignments each week.

At the beginning of each class session the class leader should give the test over the previous lesson. The assessment for Lesson 7 is an in-class debate, conducted before Lesson 8. As class leader, your part in the debate is to present each of the arguments against the Resurrection given in Lesson 7. Make sure that every student has a chance to respond to at least one of the arguments.

Also at the beginning of each class session, each student should give a brief summary of their conversation for the “Apologetics and the Hands” assignment for the previous lesson.

If the student wants to earn a certificate from Shepherds Global Classroom, he should attend the class sessions and complete the assignments. A form is provided at the end of the course for recording the assignments completed.