Maranatha Bible Church Adult Sunday School. Listen to “The Great Courses – Religion-Great World Religions: Christianity” Disc 1: Lecture 1 Track

Maranatha Bible ChurchAdult Sunday School

Listen to “The Great Courses – Religion-Great World Religions: Christianity” Disc 1: Lecture 1

Track 0001-0002 Time: 00:00 – 8:00 Religion is defined as

An organized way of life centered around convictions and experiences involving belief in an ultimate power that transcends human life and governs human life

World Religion is defined as One who’s adherents go beyond geographical and ethnic

boundaries and exert significant influence on people

World Religion Series - njb 2010 2


OTHER RELIGION’S CLAIM THEY HAVE A WAYTO AN ETERNAL PLACE OF HAPPINESS / HEAVEN

ANDTHAT JESUS CHRIST IS NOT THE ONLY WAY, TRUTH,

OR LIFE

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE?AND

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE OTHER RELIGIONS TEACH?


Understanding Christian Beliefs and What Other Religions Teach Results In A Deeper Appreciation That Jesus Is The Only Way, The Truth, and The Life

God’s Plan of Salvation Decrees People From All Walks of Life Will Come To Him

5World Religion Series - njb 2010

“I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:13-14


20“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘It will yet be that peoples will come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21‘The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I will also go.” 22‘So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.’”

Zechariah 8:20-22

God’s Plan of Salvation Decrees that People From All Walks of Life Will Come to Him


Jesus Commanded Believers to Make Disciples of All the Nations

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20


The Day of Pentecost initiated the spread of the Gospel to all parts of the earth

Acts 1:7-8 (NASB)

7He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

America’s diversity and globalization urge it There are approximately 4,200 officially

documented known religions in the World today Most of us are either currently or will be

working with someone who believes and practices one of the other major World Religions


BEING COURTEOUS AND AWARE OF CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUSDIFFERENCES IS CHRIST-LIKE AND ALLOWS GOD TO PROVIDE AN OPENING FOR THE GOSPEL WHEN THAT PERSON IS READY

The Christian’s Ability to Reach Out To Those of Other Faith’s is Enhanced By It A basic knowledge of the foundations of other

religions enables us to be aware of the theologically and practical differences to Christianity

Believer’s will be better prepared to stand firm to attacks on Christianity if we understand what these other religion’s arguments are based upon


This class is intended to provide: An overview of the major World Religions A basic understanding of their beliefs An awareness of the religion’s source

documents Ideas and suggestions on how best to interact

and witness to those who practice these religions

Testimonies from those who have been reached for Jesus Christ out of these religions


Each session will have a three-part format:1. Introduction & Information about the Religion being

covered Handouts

2. Video / Slides providing some in-depth material regarding that religion Video clips from “The Great Courses Taught by Great

Professors” Series titled “Great World Religions”

3. Discussion of the weekly reading assignment from the provided textbook for this class – The Unexpected Journey

Rainer, Thom S. The Unexpected Journey – Conversations with people who turned from other beliefs to Jesus, Zondervan


1. Christianity (Foundational Review)2. Islam3. Buddhism4. Hinduism5. Judaism6. Unitarianism7. Mormonism8. Jehovah’s Witness9. Wiccan Paganism / Satanism10. New Age Spirituality / Astrology




2.1Billion Christians in the World Today (33%)However, Christianity is decreasing at a rate of 7,600 people per day



Christianity believes the Bible to be the inspired Word of God – John 1:1

Christianity believes in a Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

Christianity believes that Jesus is God in the flesh – Colossians 1:15, Philippians 2:5-11

Christianity is rooted in Judaism Based on the Abrahamic Covenant Promise of God to

Abraham All the World Shall be Blessed – Genesis 12:3


CREEDS WERE DEVELOPED TO SOLIDIFY & DISTINGUISH CHRISTIANBELIEFS FROM HERITICAL & PAGAN RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS

Christianity believes that Jesus is the Messiah of the Old Testament – Mark 14:61-62, John 4:25-26

The Crucifixion of Jesus is central to Christianity – John 3:14-15

Christianity believes there hope for the individual but only through Jesus Christ and His Death on the Cross and Resurrection – Ephesians 1:7-8

Christianity claims there is only way to heaven – through faith in Jesus Christ – Acts 4:12


“Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers do.He himself is the way.”

Karl Barth

Prayer Salvation – (personal acceptance by Faith) Baptism following confession of salvation Marriage Church Membership Communion – Lord’s Supper Celebration of Holidays (Primary)

Christmas Easter


Documents

Maranatha Bible Church Adult Sunday School. Listen to “The Great Courses – Religion-Great World Religions: Christianity” Disc 1: Lecture 1 Track