Christianity isn't just about abstract beliefs. It's rooted in a historical claim - the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Talking Points:
- Many religions provide evidence for their central claims. The question is whether the evidence provided is verifiable, sufficient, and true.
- Other religions’ beliefs are not rooted in historical claims – Hinduism, Confucianism, and Buddhism are examples of this.
- Christianity differs from other religions because it not only roots its validity in a central historical claim, but it provides verifiable, sufficient, true evidence in support of that historical claim. No credible scholar denies that Jesus Christ existed in history, and there is compelling evidence to believe that his earliest followers saw him both killed and resurrected.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Read Acts 26:25-26. In these verses, the Apostle Paul is speaking about Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection to government leaders. In what ways does Christianity’s central claim differ from that of other religions?
- Why would it be beneficial for a religion not to root itself in a verifiable historical claim?
- What is the most compelling thing about the resurrection of Jesus to you? What is the most troubling?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
