Equipping Youth For the Battlefield Mike Riddle www

Equipping Youth For the Battlefield Mike Riddle www. Creation. Training. org

A Briefing Situation Mission Execution

Part 1 Situation Mission Execution Not relevant Re-invent Public school system Universities Evolution Moral relativism News media Many church leaders

Understanding Today’s Society A Case Study 1 Corinthians 1: 23

JEWS But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1 Corinthians 1: 23 k c o l B g n i l b m Stu

But we preach Christ crucified, GREEKS unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1 Corinthians 1: 23 s s e n h s Fooli

Why the Difference? The Culture We are no longer an ACTS 2 nation, we are an ACTS 17 nation.

Warnings Gal 2: 4 u Jude 4 u Col 2: 8 u Acts 20: 30 u Acts 20: 29 u Mat 24: 24 u Mat 7: 15 u Mark 13: 22 u 2 Pet 2: 1 u 1 John 4: 1 u False teachers False philosophy Distorters of truth Fierce wolves False prophets False prophets

2 Timothy 4: 3 -4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Do Not be Deceived Eph 5: 6 u Rom 16: 18 u 2 Tim 3: 13 u Titus 1: 10 u James 1: 22 u But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Many Churches u Avoid controversial topics such as creation, sin, hell, marriage (soft teaching) u Let the culture influence their teaching rather than influencing the culture with the Gospel u Music with no Gospel or doctrine u Make church growth their main goal rather than the Great Commission u Do not have teachers who can equip their people to share and defend their faith

What happens when the church stops teaching parts of the Bible? The world will fill in the answers.

“Over 60% of youth are leaving the church” 1. Pew Research 2. Nehemiah Institute 3. Barna Group 4. Lifeway Research 5. Answers in Genesis and the American Research Group 6. Public Religion Research Institute

Reasons Youth Leave 1. Christianity is shallow and too exclusive 2. Church appears to be anti-science 3. Learning about evolution in college 4. Lack of specific or scientific evidence for a creator 5. College is a hostile environment towards Christianity 6. The teaching of moral relativism 7. Not saved

The American Culture Since so many youth are leaving the church today we must understand why.

The American Culture Wrong Answer Reinvent the church to be more like the culture. Right Answer We need to understand how the culture is challenging God’s Word and train our people how to respond to these challenges.

Don Bierle (Ph. D. , Life Sciences), Surprised by Faith, 1992, p. 2. “At that time [14 years old], and during the subsequent few years, I did not see the church as a source of answers. … I was asking ‘why, ’ and could not find answers. ”

Ken Ham and Avery Foley “Why Young People Leave the Church” “These young people are not getting solid answers from church leaders and parents but, sadly, are often told they can believe in the big bang, millions of years, and evolution; they’re then admonished to reinterpret or ignore Genesis while being told to “trust in Jesus!” Ken Ham and Avery Foley (MA Theological Studies), on September 8, 2016 https: //answersingenesis. org/christianity/church/pew-research-why-youngpeople-leaving-christianity/

When did you first have doubts about the Bible? Don’t know Elem school College Middle school High school 1. 6% 4. 4% 10. 6% 39. 8% 43. 7% Answers in Genesis and The American Research Group

Atheist Indoctrination Project 2007 Dinesh D’Souza October 15 th, 2007, The Atheist Indoctrination Project http: //townhall. com/columnists/dineshdsouza/20 07/10/22/the_atheist_indoctrination_project

“It seems atheists have developed a comprehensive strategy to win the minds of the next generation. The strategy can be described simply: let the religious people breed them, and we will educate them to despise their parents' beliefs…. In fact, it is to a large degree orchestrated by teachers and professors to promote anti-religious agendas. ”

Northern Arizona University Freshman honors class “American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America”. Chris Hedges (graduate of Harvard Divinity School, American journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner)

“Followers [Evangelical Christians] in the movement are locked within closed systems of information and indoctrination that cater to their hates and prejudices. ” “Most of America’s fundamentalist and evangelical churches are led by pastors who peddle this non-reality belief system, one that embraces magic, the fiction of a ‘Christian nation’…”.

Comment from a student who attended the class: “I didn't know Christians were so bad. ”

Comment from the mother of a student “Don't Christians realize what their children will be up against? And if they do, why aren't they preparing their children for these battles? ”

Clergy Letter Project As of January 2019, over 16, 000 American clergy of different denominations have signed the Clergy Letter Project.

Clergy Letter Project “We the undersigned, Christian clergy from many different traditions, believe that theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. ”

16, 000 Church Leaders Charles Darwin Jesus Christ Influencing youth NOT to believe the Bible

The World Is Out-Educating The Church “College is a war zone for young believers who are not prepared for the battle of their faith. ” Randy Douglass, (Ph. D. , Professor of Ministry), “Closing the Back Door: The Need for Christian Education”, www. normgeisler. com/articles, Oct 21, 2009.

The World Is Out-Educating The Church “College students are attacked with bias from the moment they step on campus until the time they leave it. The effect is devastating…. The burgeoning problem of brainwashing by the universities must be combated. ” Ben Shapiro (Harvard Law School), Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America’s Youth, 2004, p. xvi-xvii.

Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God, 1994, p. 13. “Many frustrated young people have expressed, ‘All I hear my parents or preachers saying is that the Bible says this is so and therefore it is so, and that is the only answer necessary to give. ’” Three problems with this answer 1. This answer is given by other religions. 2. In school this answer is dismissed and often ridiculed. 3. 1 Peter 3: 15; Jude 3

Gen Z born between 2000 and 2015 Gen Z Millennials Gen X Boomers The percentage of people with a biblical worldview is declining with each new generation 10% 7% 6% 4% Impact 360 Institute & Barna Group, 2018 https: //www. impact 360 institute. org/articles/4 -percent-gen-z-biblical-worldview/

John Warwick Montgomery (11 earned degrees, Th. D. , Ph. D. Law, LLD), “On the Failure of the Church to Educate”, http: //tektonics. org/indictment. php “We have woefully neglected our responsibility to train our young people in the solid case for Christianity, and then we wonder why they depart from the faith under the influence of secular university instruction. ”

Voddie Baucham, Jr. (M. Div. , D. Min. , D. D. ), “Indoctri. Nation, 2012, p. 263. “The correlation is clear: If we continue to send our children to Caesar for their education, we need to stop being surprised when they come home as Romans. ”

Part 2 Situation Mission Execution

Mission Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ” Amen. Matthew 28: 19 -20

Matthew 28: 19 -20 Go (going – participle, “ing”) u Baptizing (participle, “ing”) u Teaching (participle, “ing”) Teach u (Disciple: verbal imperative – command) u

We must understand teach the complete Gospel message to be able to fulfill our mission. Know the Gospel Share the Gospel Defend the Gospel

The Gospel John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3: 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Gen 1: 1 Gen 1: 31 Gen 2: 16 -17 The beginning A perfect beginning One warning The Bad News Gen 3: 6 Gen 3: 17 -19 Rom 6: 23 a Mat 5: 48 Rom 3: 23 Isa 59: 2 Rebellion (sin) God keeps His promise (death) Wages of sin is death God demands perfection No one is perfect Separated from God No Hope

The Good News Gen 3: 15 John 3: 16 1 Cor 15: 3 -4 2 Cor 7: 10 Rom 6: 23 b Eph 2: 8 -9 2 Cor 12: 9 Rom 5: 8 John 14: 6 Rom 1: 19 -20 Rom 10: 9 Promise of victory Promise fulfilled The core of the Gospel Repent (leads to salvation) A free gift Works not good enough God’s grace (Eph 2: 4 -5) God demonstrates His love Only one way e h T No excuses l e p Confess/believe Gos

Gen 1: 1 Gen 1: 31 Gen 2: 16 -17 The beginning A perfect beginning One warning Gen 3: 17 -19 Rom 6: 23 a Mat 5: 48 Rom 3: 23 Isa 59: 2 God keeps His promise (death) Wages of sin is death God demands perfection No one is perfect Separated from God d e c a l p The Bad News e R Gen 3: 6 Rebellion (sin)

Gen 1: 1 The beginning Man’s Wisdom Gen 1: 31 A perfect beginning Evolution Gen 2: 16 -17 One warning Millions of years The Bad News Not real history Gen 3: 6 Rebellion (sin) Gen 3: 17 -19 God keepsfor Histhe promise (death) A New Foundation Gospel Rom 6: 23 a Wages of sin is death Mat 5: 48 God demands perfection Rom 3: 23 No one is perfect Isa 59: 2 Separated from God

Psalm 11: 3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?

Foundation for the Gospel Literal Interpretation The Fall Creation (Sin) 6 Days (Perfect)

Millions of Years What It Really Means The Fall (Sin) Creation Millions of Years ? Death Adam Eve Before Sin

Part 3 Situation Mission Execution

The Plan of Action 2 Timothy 2: 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

The Plan of Action Preparing the Next Generation u u What do youth need to know to become better evangelists in a world that is hostile to the Bible? How can we equip youth to become doers of the Word (Application Training)?

Understanding Education The ultimate test of teaching is not what you do as the teacher or how well you do it, but what can the student do or perform at the end of the training.

The BIG SIX 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What Youth Need to Know, share and defend the Gospel How to think biblically (worldview). How to think critically and analyze statements and challenges. How to refute evolutionism. How to respond to the claims of moral relativists. How to recognize and respond to biblical compromise.

Biblical Worldview Training God exists and His Word is true u Matthew 22: 37 (Heart, soul and mind) u Genesis 1 -3 u Resurrection of Christ u John 17: 17 (Be set apart by His Word) u 2 Timothy 3: 16 -17 (Scripture is the authority in all matters) u John 14: 6 (Only one way) u John 10: 30, 20: 28 (Deity of Christ) u Eph 2: 8 -9 (Salvation by grace alone) u

Practical Apologetics Training u Who did Cain marry? u Was there really a worldwide flood? u What about aliens and UFOs u How do you fit dinosaurs into the Bible? u How could all the creatures fit on the Ark? u How could the first three days of creation be literal days if the sun was not created until day 4? u Distant starlight

Presuppositional Apologetics Training u Who made God? u Show me any evidence for the existence of God? u How can you call God good when He killed men, women and children? u Why are Christians so intolerant? u That’s true for you, but not for me. u It’s a woman’s right to have an abortion.

Critical Thinking Skills How do you know it is true? Has it ever been observed? Are you making any assumptions? THINK It’s not illegal yet Recognize Assumptions

Science Foundations Training u Where did the universe come from? u How did life originate? u Where did dinosaurs come from? u What are the assumptions in the dating methods? u What is the foundation for the fossil record (Cambrian explosion)?

Refuting Biblical Compromise 2 Peter 3: 8 (a day is like a thousand years) u Day-age theory u Gap theory u The creation account is not real history u Modern science proves the earth is old u

A Briefing Until parents, the church, and Christian educators decide to take action and get on the spiritual battlefield, this country’s moral values and standards will continue to erode away to the state.

2 Questions Who will train the next generation? What will they be trained to believe? Secular Worldview Biblical Worldview

Creation Training Initiative Three 1 -Day Training Courses

5 -Day Creation Apologetics Teachers College When: August 12 -17, 2019 Where: Ridgecrest Conference Center, Ridgecrest, NC (Near Asheville) Who: 40 students (pastors, youth leaders, school teachers, parents, college age)

Essay Scholarship Contest Write an essay using 450 words or less answering the challenge: “Should Christian schools teach all views about creation and then let students decide for themselves what to believe? For more information go to: www. Creation. Training. org

For more information www. Creation. Training. org Email: Info@Creation. Training. org Building an “Army” of Christian Educators