The document discusses the intersection of world religions, the gospel, and friendship in a diverse suburban context, emphasizing the importance of understanding and engaging with other belief systems. It highlights key biblical messages regarding evangelism and presents a methodology for effectively sharing Christianity in a pluralistic environment. The goal is to foster truth-seeking relationships through a better understanding of various faiths and their relation to orthodox Christianity.

1. World Religions
The Gospel and Friendship in a Pluralistic Suburb

2. A Little Bit of Diversity
In what religion were you raised? (If
1. Christian, what denomination?)
What other religions are you most
2. familiar with?
What other religions do you find most
3. foreign or intimidating?
4. What do you hope to gain from this class?

3. Evangelism in 2013

4. The World has gotten a
lot smaller in the last
20 years.

5. Alternative worldviews
clash all the time.

6. A Lot of Diversity
How can I be light
in the midst of so many
competing worldviews?

7. A Gospel (and the Gospelers)
A gospel message was good news
because it upheld the
Roman Imperial worldview.

8. A Gospel (and the Gospelers)
Providence... has given us Augustus, whom she filled
with virtue that he might benefit humankind, sending
him as a savior, both for us and for our descendants,
that he might end war and arrange all things... The
birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of
the good news for the world.
-- Inscription from a Roman Calendar, 9BC
I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all
people. The Savior-- yes, the Messiah, the Lord-- has
been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
…Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth
to those with whom God is pleased.
-- Luke 2:8-14 (NLT)

9. The Gospel of Jesus
To all who believed him and
accepted him, he gave the
right to become children of
God. They are reborn-- not
with a physical birth
resulting from human
passion or plan, but a birth
that comes from God.
The Word became human
and made his home among
us. He was full of unfailing
love and faithfulness. And
we have seen his glory, the
glory of the Father's one
and only Son.
-- John 1:12-14 (NLT)

10. The Gospel of Jesus
There is no greater love than
to lay down one's life for
one's friends.
You are my friends if you do
what I command. I no longer
call you slaves, because a
master doesn't confide in his
slaves.
Now you are my friends,
since I have told you
everything the Father told
me.
-- John 15:13-15 (NLT)

11. The Golden Rule of Evangelism
In everything, treat people
the same way you want them
to treat you, for this is the
Law and the Prophets.
-- Matthew 7:12 (NAS)
In everything evangelism,
treat evangelize people the
same way you want them to
treat evangelize you.
-- Jesus

12. Evangelism on Mars Hill
Acts 17:16-33

13. Evangelism on Mars Hill
Paul doesn’t name Jesus
Paul doesn’t quote Scripture
Paul quotes their Scripture

14. Knowing the Unknown God
Be able to say,
He who “I understand”
knows one,
knows none. before
Other “I disagree”
worldviews
contain seeds
of the Gospel

15. Our “Mars Hill” Methodology
or: what you should expect from this class
• A basic introduction to the faith’s worldview
1.
• Areas of agreement between that faith and
2. Orthodox Christian theology and practice
• Areas of disagreement between that faith
3. and Orthodox Christian theology and practice
GOAL: To equip you to build a truth-seeking
relationship with someone of another faith.