Teen Sunday School Class Review of First Lesson
Quarterly Study: Learning to Defend Your Faith
Lesson 1: Be Prepared

EXPLANATION: I am using space on my blog to provide reviews for my Teen Sunday School class to use in refreshing their memories about what we are studying. Hopefully, they will also be useful or encouraging to others who follow the blog.

1. The first key to getting prepared to defend your faith is to BE COMMITTED!

(1 Peter 3:15 [NET]) But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess.

Set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts. The most important questions you will answer are: “Where is your allegiance?” “To whom are you committed?” “Who will be the master of your life?” “Whom will you allow to call the shots?” The answer to these questions will make a difference when you are challenged to stand for your faith or cave into pressure to conform—to go with the flow or against the flow. If you have determined to follow Christ and to do what He wants, you will have greater success in standing up, speaking up, and moving up in your witness for Christ. If you love Him and accept Him as Lord in your heart, you will not want to reject Him, ignore His commands, or disappoint Him. “Always be ready” reminds us that opportunities abound to give witness and defend our faith. What we offer the world is desperately needed and, ultimately, only found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ—HOPE! The world around us desperately needs hope and we have found hope in Jesus Christ.

2. The second key is to BE READY!

(Ephesians 6:14 [NET]) Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,

The Roman footwear was designed to provide the greatest stability and foundation for fighting. Spikes allowed the soldier to hold his ground in the battle. Having the “whole armor of God” to support and protect us allows us to be ready to defend the gospel. What can you do to get ready? Make sure you have a simple, short testimony that you can use to tell people about how you came to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is impossible to argue with a clear testimony. People may think that they can never have what you have or be what you are, but they can know why you are who you are now. It is also important to understand the common questions people have and ask. Studying and preparing answers to these questions will prepare you to help them when they have questions. Also, be ready to provide reasons to believe. Although many people think that faith is unreasonable, we have the opportunity to show them reasons to believe.

3. The third key is to BE WISE!

(Proverbs 11:30 [NET]) ​​​​​​​The fruit of the righteous is like a tree producing life, ​​​​​​and the one who wins souls is wise.

First, understand that the Bible is a source of great wisdom for us. If we want to be wise, we can best learn that wisdom from reading and studying God’s Word, especially the book of Proverbs. Second, understand that we can best win or draw people to ourselves and to Jesus by learning to discern the best times and places to speak about our faith. God promises that His Holy Spirit will guide us in knowing when to speak and what to say. You always have help when you decide to speak for God and about Jesus Christ. God uses the Scriptures, parents, godly leaders, friends and prayer to guide us.

4. The fourth key is to BE HUMBLE!

(1 Peter 5:6 [NET]) And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand

Some people get angry when their faith is challenged or their character is maligned. The people we are seeking to win may get angry when we try to speak to them about God. They may throw insults at us or try to ridicule us or put us down. But anger never accomplishes the righteous purposes of God. It only alienates. So, we must refuse to get angry when we are challenged or tested. This is NOT about us; this is about the Lord and whether or not people have a relationship with Him. If we are proud instead of humble, we may come across as callous, or know-it-alls, or people who care more about being right than about helping people. God wants us to be patient with people and to be gentle and kind. He wants us to show them respect as fellow humans created in His image.

5. The fifth key is to BE CONFIDENT!

(Proverbs 28:1 [NET]) ​​​​​​​The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing, ​​​​​​but the righteous person is as confident as a lion.

We can have complete confidence in what we are doing. We can be confident that God’s Word is true. We can be confident that the Holy Spirit is working. We can be confident that Jesus will be glorified through our faithfulness in sharing. We are in the right—right with God and seeking to be right with others. We have nothing to hide or to be ashamed of. Jesus promised His disciples confidence in witnessing for Him because they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8). You don’t have to be afraid that you are not intellectual enough, that you don’t have all the answers, that people will turn away or seek to retaliate. All you are being asked to do is to be God’s voice and share His message. How people respond is not your responsibility. But you can count on God to help you, strengthen you and encourage you.