"I Don't Know"
GCD Newsletter - Monday, February 27, 2023
“What is the best advice you have on the subject of apologetics?”
The question took me a little by surprise. I hadn’t, to my recollection, mentioned the subject during the Bible study I had been leading, and I’m not an expert in apologetics by any means. After some discussion about why the student was interested, he explained that he didn’t feel like he had the ability, or knowledge, to answer the questions his non-Christian friends sometimes asked him. This left him feeling dejected and he wanted a quick way to remedy that.
I had just the thing.
“Easy,” I said, “You simply say I don’t know.”
He was taken aback. How could I say such a thing? Surely we’re meant to share the word of God with others and that means being able to answer their questions, right? I’ve had similar conversations since then with others who likewise wanted to know how to answer questions which—to put it bluntly—they don’t know the answers to. It seems that often we’d rather give an answer, even if it’s wrong, rather than be truthful and admit that sadly, we don’t know everything.
This week our two articles speak to this same phenomenon, which presents itself in various ways throughout our lives, under the guise of various well-meaning sentiments. Ashley Anthony reminds us that parents, though tasked with sharing the gospel with their children, cannot muster up saving faith for them through sheer power of will; and Katherine Pittman gives us a vivid memory of a time when she felt wholly terrified at the prospect of Evangelism, “But what do I say?!” I asked desperately. “And what if they reply?”
As Christians, we are called to share our faith with others, and that does mean being willing, even ready, to explain that faith, as we read in 1 Peter 3:15: “but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” but we’re also encouraged in Luke 12:12, that “…the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.” It may be that at that moment, you’ll speak like Stephen (Acts 7) or it may be that you’ll be reminded of your limitations—reminded that you don’t know the answer to the question being asked. It may even be that the Lord uses that to soften the heart of the one asking the question, or perhaps not. This is certain though; you will have spoken the truth, and they will have heard it.
Grace and Peace,
Adsum Try Ravenhill is married to Anna and together they are passionate about seeing young men and women discipled within the context of the local church. You can find Adsum through his writing at The Raven’s Writing Desk and you can also find Adsum’s articles for GCD here.
Last Week at GCDiscipleship.com
Gospel Hope for The Littlest Of These
— by Ashley Anthony
In the midst of waiting, we can cling to the hope of salvation with the firm belief that God is able to save sinners. We can strengthen our faith with stories of those who became believers at different times in their lives—whether as children or adults, after years of prodigal living, at a high school retreat, or even on their deathbeds—and we can marvel at the miracle of God’s eternal work in these hearts. Like the parents who have walked before us, we can pray unceasingly for our children, knowing that God hears us, cares for us, and cares for the littlest of these.
The Lost Art of Handing Out Gospel Tracts
— by Katherine Pittman
“But what do I say?!” I asked desperately. “And what if they reply?”
My sweaty palms clenched the newly obtained tracts, my heart beating faster as we neared the bus’s exit. I offered excuse after excuse—digging for anything to evade my fiancé’s playfully-given assignment. He rejected them all.
Christians everywhere recognize the value of Holy Communion as a reminder of what Jesus has done. But author Timothy Shorey believes Jesus intends the meal to do more than simply remind. In these divisive and rancorous days—and as we see the Day of the Lord approaching—The Communion Truce helps us understand that participating in Communion is not for when every believer gets along and shares everything in common, but for when we don’t—so that, by the power of the gospel, we can.
"The Communion Truce is an encouraging reflection on the sweet seriousness of the Lord's Table. With such a rich ordinance, we can scarcely think too much on its meaning. To that end, Tim has served the church well in this short, edifying book. May we all grow in taking the supper of the Lord in a manner increasingly worthy of him."
Brian Davis, Church Planter, Exalting Christ Church
