The key is not to remember the information and argue about that, the key is to get to the bottom of why they believe whatever they do?

Ask for clear examples

How exactly is Jesus like these other figures?

Can I tell you how He is unique? This is the perfect opportunity to share the gospel

Love

Death

Burial

Resurrection

People may be struggling to believe, why should I beleive in Jesus when there are so many other gods out there and they are also very old.

Horus- born of Isis and Osiris, doesn’t die, merges with ra and is reborn each day, yes to all, cults just like the rest

Dionissus- born to semele and Zeus, dies, put in the leg of zeus, was eaten by the titans, followers filled with ultimate debauchery- bacchanelia or dionysia

Mithra or Mithras- two different beliefs, no writings just carvings, born fully grown from a rock, post dates christianity- slayed a bull for sins of the world, surrounded by zodiac signs not disciples

Krishna- 7 child, avatar of vishnu, death by arrow to the heal, spirit goes to heaven

1 Cor. 15:33

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

a current saying, forming a verse in MENANDER

Titus 1:12

“One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons. 13 This testimony is true. For this reason, reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith.”

Epimenides of Phaestus, or Gnossus, in Crete, about 600

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[c] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[d] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

    1. Do you have any questions or thoughts from this lesson?

    2. What stood out to you most?

    3. How would you explain the uniqueness of Jesus—not just historically, but personally—in your own words?


    4. In Acts 17, Paul doesn’t start by attacking Greek religion—he starts by finding common ground. How might that change the way we talk to skeptics?

    5. How would you answer the question that Christianity is just near eastern plagiarism.

    6. How do we practically live this lesson out?

    1. How was your emotional and physical health this week?

    2. What is a serious stressor in your life?

    3. How has your personal time with God been this week?

    4. Would you like to share your personal temptations and how can we help you overcome them?

    5. Is there anything that we need to discuss that we have not already?

    6. How can we pray for each other this week?

    Pray for one another, invite each person to pray even if it is just a few sentences.