"The Lions Den" Equips our Students

The above picture is of our students partaking in what we call "The lions Den".  This is an interactive training activity I created to help equip students at defending their faith.  One person is in the middle (aka the lions Den), and all the others sit in a circle around them.  We create a scenario, and then the conversation begins in which the person in the middle has to answer 3 questions regarding to the situation.  for example, one scenario could be your in a conversation with some people and they ask you why would you believe in God if there is so much evil on the world.  Thus begins the conversation.  It has proven to be very effective and useful for the students, as well as humbling. We do the Lions Den once a week.

Exposing Cults with Dr. Bob Wright

We had Dr. Bob Wright from Corbon University with us this week teaching on Cults.  It was truly an amazing week and the students learned a lot about the false teaching of Cults such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and various others.  Most importantly, Bob taught some great stuff on how to effectively reach out in love to people of these different belief systems.  A nugget of truth Bob left us was some great advice about how to finish strong in ministry.."Keep your sense of humor and loose your sense of smell."  In summary, stay light hearted, and expect ministry and people to disappoint you at times.

Does God Exist? Student Debate # 1

This week was our first "Skeptic and Defender" debates for our students.  They were debating with each other the existence of God.  they did a great job, and it was sure a pressure cooker in there.  We had members from our YWAM campus and local youth pastors and friends form the panel and audience.  The students are eager for their next debate next Friday.

Team of students taking notes and listening to the opposing viewpoint present their case

A Visit to a Sikh Temple

Our temple tour this week was of a local Sikh Temple.  The Sikh's showed us amazing hospitality as we sat and ate delicious snacks and drank tea together. Our students heard about the Sikh faith and in turn were able to ask the Sikh's their viewpoints on many areas of life.  One thing that stood out to our students was how kind and welcoming they were.  "We could learn a lot from their kindness"s said one of our students.  On the same note, our students were broke for how the kindness the Sikhs showed are in direct correlation to their belief in reincarnation and Karma.  Later in the week our students had an hour long intercessory prayer time for the Sikh's of the world.

"Sure, but I'm a pantheistic pagan witch if that's okay."

Our students did an awesome job on the streets their first week.  They were definitely challenged in many conversations.  One of our students asked if she could ask a lady our questions of the day.  In response, the lady said, "Sure, but I want to let you know I am a pantheistic witch if that's okay."  Talk about diving rite in!  In one sentence our student was caught off guard and asked me after he conversation, "What is a pantheist?"  This is why the Outward Apologetics School is so vital.  Pray for our students as they hit the streets three afternoons a week in the school.

The Discipline of Apologetics

This week our students were challenged by our speaker Peter Koenan.  Peter taught on Apologetics as a foundations and spiritual discipline in the life of the Christian.  It was an amazing week and went very deep into theological thought. From worldview, to the problem of suffering in the life of the Chrisitian, the week really forced students to grapple with the tough questions. This week really layed a great foundation for the next 6 weeks of the school.  If I could sum up Peter's week in one thing he said it would be this..."A peacemaker is someone who is willing to go into conflict for the sake of the truth."  

Fall time in Oregon

One of the great things about Oregon in the fall is pumpkin patches.  This weekend we took the kids to our favorite one, and they had a great time.  The kids are now about a month into school, Anders is in 6th, Aidan 5th, Abby 3rd, and Autumn kindergarten.  This of course keeps Sarah pretty busy, as she has Annie and Alistair to wrangle as well.  We are truly amazed at how quick time flies bye.  Kids are a precious gift from the Lord.  I just wish these gifts did not have to grow up so quick!