23-0827p - Detailed Summary

The speaker introduces the concept of "neighborly apologetics," explaining that this session will focus on why this approach to apologetics is being adopted. The term "apologetics" is clarified for those unfamiliar with it, setting the stage for a discussion on its application.

The speaker discusses the shift from traditional to neighborly apologetics, not to belittle the former but to highlight a need for a method more aligned with engaging with those around us as per the Lord’s call. This approach is seen as more fitting for contemporary Christian interaction.

It is noted that a future session will delve into comparing academic apologetics with neighborly apologetics, although this comparison will not be covered in the current session.

The speaker argues that neighborly apologetics is essential in a world where, as he perceives, God has given people over to a "depraved mind." This method is seen as necessary to effectively engage with the current societal context.

The session returns to scriptural support, starting with James 2:8 on the royal law of love, followed by references from Galatians and Romans, emphasizing the central role of love in fulfilling the law and engaging with neighbors.

The speaker elaborates on the concept of love and the term "neighbor" from Greek, explaining that neighbors are those providentially placed by God around us. This understanding underpins the idea of neighborly apologetics as a method of kingdom work.

Here, the speaker describes how the primary work of the kingdom is entrusted to the common Christian family, with church leaders equipping them for this role. The vision is for Christian families to build genuine relationships with their neighbors, as part of an engagement project.

The practical aspects of neighborly apologetics are introduced, including the importance of prayer, grace, wisdom, and truth in building relationships. Two memory verses are presented for families to learn, focusing on readiness to defend one’s faith with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

The speaker reflects on personal growth in understanding wisdom, confessing past mistakes where apologetics was more about winning arguments than serving others. The discussion centers on Colossians 4:5-6, advocating for wise and gracious conduct towards outsiders, with speech seasoned with salt to know how to respond appropriately.

The session concludes with further emphasis on the necessity of grace in speech, likening it to seasoning with salt for preservation and flavor, which helps in discerning responses tailored to each individual. The speaker confesses past misuses of apologetics knowledge for personal gain rather than for serving others.

The speaker confesses that past approaches to apologetics were driven by personal agendas rather than wisdom and discernment, as advocated by Colossians 4. He emphasizes the need for a tailored response to each person through prayerful discernment, highlighting the importance of understanding how to engage with individuals.

The session delves into categorizing people into believers and nonbelievers for spiritual discussions. The speaker acknowledges the difficulty in discerning this divide due to the presence of "weeds" within the church, as per scripture, and stresses the importance of this discernment in how one interacts with others.

The speaker discusses whether individuals are open or closed to God, referencing a recent NFL game incident from January 3, 2023, where widespread prayer followed a player’s severe injury. This event is used to illustrate how even nonbelievers might turn to prayer in dire circumstances, potentially opening discussions about faith.

He explores how to engage with nonbelievers, especially those open to God, using real-world events like the football injury to initiate conversations. The speaker notes how no one objected to the public prayer, suggesting a cultural openness to spirituality in crisis moments.

The discussion shifts to believers, questioning whether they possess a solid biblical worldview. The speaker mentions statistics indicating a lack of deep biblical understanding among many Christians and suggests engaging them in projects like the "Engagement Project" to foster a deeper understanding of the royal law and biblical worldview.

Criticism is levied at traditional church practices focusing more on baptism than on discipleship. The speaker calls for a system where new Christians are helped to build a biblical worldview, moving beyond just conversion to actual transformation and growth in faith.

The speaker advocates for deep, significant relationships as a core aspect of neighborly apologetics, drawing parallels with Jesus’s approach to his disciples. He argues that only through such relationships can one gain the trust and the right to influence others spiritually.

He concludes that building deeper relationships is essential for gaining an audience and the opportunity to speak into others' lives, suggesting this is the only effective way in today’s world. The session ends with an invitation for personal response to the message delivered.