A Christianity Explored course leader, Jonathan Thomas, explains why, despite having run the course ten times or more, it has never become boring…
Once again we are going through Christianity Explored in our church, and once again I am so encouraged by and confident of the material. Last weekend I went and spoke at a Christianity Explored training day and again I was reminded how clear and deliberate the course is. I love the course for a number of reasons:
1. Christianity Explored believes in the sovereignty of God
In all the training material we are constantly reminded that it is God who opens blind eyes. This doctrine releases us from two things:
- Despair when someone doesn’t become a Christian.
- Pride when someone does become a Christian.
2. Christianity Explored let’s a Gospel tell the gospel
I love the fact that we just walk through the Gospel of Mark and let it speak for itself. Indeed, the hope of CE is that people will meet the living Jesus as He walks off the pages of Mark.
3. Christianity Explored is heavy on integrity
This course does not hide stuff, over-emphasise stuff, or distort the gospel in any way. I love the fact that you can be 100% confident that you are telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
4. Christianity Explored is based within relationship
Meals, small group discussion and 1-1 friendships are vital parts of the course. People don’t just come, sit and listen. Relationship is a key.
5. Christianity Explored is a creative course
The DVD’s are great (if a little cheesy at points!). But more than that, the talks are full of passionate logic, challenging sayings, and good illustrations.
6. Christianity Explored goes through the pain barrier
Although I never want to do this in my flesh, I do believe that we need to do it. That is, we need to be honest about that which the Bible is honest about: the severity of Sin, the reality of judgment, and the physical nature of hell.
7. Christianity Explored makes sure that Jesus is the hero of every week
Hallelujah! I LOVE the fact that this course is not based on a personality other than Christ. I hate sitting in an ‘evangelistic’ event where you come out thinking the speaker is brilliant. This course constantly points to Jesus, and always shows how He is our saviour and Lord.
8. Christianity Explored understands that how people enter the faith is how they carry on
If we use the Bible sparingly and ignore painful truths when we are sharing the gospel with someone, that is how they will act when they are saved (this is taught and caught behaviour). In this course people are shown clearly the importance of Scripture and a desire to believe all that it teaches – no matter how painful.
9. Christianity Explored gives clear opportunities for people to become Christians
Although I am weary of ‘come up the front and give…’, I do think it is important to challenge people to respond to the gospel. I believe the course has got this just right. And that people are asked to respond to the true gospel.
10. Christianity Explored reminds me of the gospel
You’d think that doing the course nearly 10 times I would get bored of it. Actually, each time I am reminded of how sinful I am and how loved I am in the gospel. No matter how many times I hear it or say it, I cannot help but be encouraged by the phrase (stolen from Tim Keller apparently),’I am more wicked than I ever thought, but more loved than I ever dreamt.’