The document discusses how young people in Britain are becoming less religious and more influenced by secular sources like politicians, brands and celebrities. It also discusses how New Atheism, as communicated through schools and media, presents criticisms of Christianity that are "straw men" versions of true biblical Christianity. The rest of the document appears to be notes about challenges and principles in Jesus' ministry based on passages from the Gospel of Matthew.

1. “This is eternal life
to know You,
the One True God
and Jesus Christ,
Whom You sent”
John 17:3

2. • Introduction
• On June 25th 2013 the Huffington Post (UK) carried a
YouGov poll which showed that …
More young people in Britain believe that religion is a
cause of evil rather than a force for good.
The place of religion in the lives of 18-24 year olds is smaller
than ever, with politicians, brand names and celebrities
having more influence than religious figures in the day-to-
day decisions of young people.

4. • Introduction
Young people are being heavily exposed to the accusations
against Christianity typified by New Atheism communicated
through schools and the media … most of which are straw
men to Biblical Christianity

5. The accusation
Episode 1 – ‘The God
Delusion’
• Lourdes
• Faith v. Science
• Colorado Springs
• Jerusalem
• Russell’s teapot
• Episode 2 – ‘The Virus
of Faith’
• Sectarian education
• Religion as a virus
• Biblical morality
• Secular morality
(proposed)
If Jesus Christ felt the need to distance Himself from ‘religion’
in His day, we should expect to as well.

6. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
– Setting the scene, v. 13

8. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
– Setting the scene, v. 13
– The incident, v. 14

10. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
– Setting the scene, v. 13
– The incident, v. 14
– The challenge, vv. 15-16

12. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
– Setting the scene, v. 13
– The incident, v. 14
– The challenge, vv. 15-16
– The explanation, v. 17
• A proverb with which all can agree

14. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
– Setting the scene, v. 13
– The incident, v. 14
– The challenge, vv. 15-16
– The explanation, v. 17
• A proverb with which all can agree
• A major principle in Jesus’s ministry

17. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
• Second challenge, 2:18-22
– Setting the scene, v. 18a

18. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
• Second challenge, 2:18-22
– Setting the scene, v. 18a
– Incident, v. 18b

19. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
• Second challenge, 2:18-22
– Setting the scene, v. 18a
– Incident, v. 18b
– Explanation, vv. 19-22

21. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
• Second challenge, 2:18-22
– Setting the scene, v. 18a
– Incident, v. 18b
– Explanation, vv. 19-22
• Proverb 1 – with which all will agree – v. 19

22. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
• Second challenge, 2:18-22
– Setting the scene, v. 18a
– Incident, v. 18b
– Explanation, vv. 19-22
• Proverb 1 – with which all will agree – v. 19
• Principle, v. 20

23. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
• Second challenge, 2:18-22
– Setting the scene, v. 18a
– Incident, v. 18b
– Explanation, vv. 19-22
• Proverb 1 – with which all will agree – v. 19
• Principle, v. 20
• Proverb 2 – with which all agree, v. 21
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise, the patch
pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear becomes worse. ”

24. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
• Second challenge, 2:18-22
– Setting the scene, v. 18a
– Incident, v. 18b
– Explanation, vv. 19-22
• Proverb 1 – with which all will agree – v. 19
• Principle, v. 20
• Proverb 2 – with which all agree, v. 21
• Proverb 3 – with which all agree, v. 22
“And no-one pours new wine into old wineskins;
otherwise, the wine will burst the skins,
and both the wine and the skins will be destroyed.
Instead new wine is poured into new wineskins.”

25. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
• Second challenge, 2:18-22
– Setting the scene, v. 18a
– Incident, v. 18b
– Explanation, vv. 19-22
• Proverb 1 – with which all will agree – v. 19
• Principle, v. 20
• Proverb 2 – with which all agree, v. 21
• Proverb 3 – with which all agree, v. 22
• Principle … NOT expressed!

26. • Introduction
• First challenge, 2:13-17
• Second challenge, 2:18-22
– Setting the scene, v. 18a
– Incident, v. 18b
– Explanation, vv. 19-22
• Proverb 1 – with which all will agree – v. 19
• Principle, v. 20
• Proverb 2 – with which all agree, v. 21
• Proverb 3 – with which all agree, v. 22
• Principle … pointedly NOT expressed!
• Conclusion