Lutheran Hour Ministries presents

1. Lutheran Hour Ministriespresents MISSION U School of Witnessing

2. Who we are • Outreach ministry supporting churches worldwide • Flagship program, The Lutheran Hour, began in 1930 • Programs proclaim the Gospel, equip Christians to share the Gospel and reach out to believers and nonbelievers Visit www.lhm.org for more information!

3. MU 301 – Christ Alone in a Coexist World

4. The Road to Coexist “Back in the Day” • “In God We Trust” • Patriotic 60’s • Peace • Don’t trust the “man” Today • Mother Earth • Equality

5. Sit Down vs. Buffet

6. Buffet - Have it Your Way

7. Buffet Appeal • Variety • Pick what you like • Economical • No limits • No absolutes

8. “It’s All Relative.” “Truth is relative.” Whether you are Muslim or Christian, you will attain your believed outcome. The Concept:One God, many paths to reaching him.

9. “It’s All Relative.” The Bible says there is one truth. Open to John 14:6. Christ is the way, the truth and the life – the only way to heaven –The one who has removed our sins.

10. How do we share “Christ Alone” in a Coexist world?

11. How? Relate to your audience. To discover how,learn who they are first.

12. How? • “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

13. The Generational Plate Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

19. Reflection/Discussion How can understanding generations help open doors to • relationships? • dialogue? • faith sharing?

20. The Stoop

21. Modern Postmodern Postmodern: • Assumptions, no absolutes • Create your own values • Choose your own sexual identity • Right and wrong is agreed • Stories • Diversity • Other gods Modern: • Facts, absolute truths • Biblical, cultural standards • Fixed sexual roles and identity • Right and wrong is standard • Creeds • Unity • Christ alone

22. Authority The Net The “Man” Every man

23. Family Meals 5:00 PM – Family together Multi-tasking Meals 5:00 – 9:00 PM – Family separated

24. Modern Religious Beliefs • Separate • Identifiable • Absolutes

25. Postmodern Religious Beliefs • Pick and Choose • Relative “Absolutes” • Every belief equal • No Loyalty

26. Pick Your Own Religion – 1990 - 2008 American Religious Identification Survey

27. Reflection/Discussion How can understanding Postmodern culture help open doors to: • Relationships • Dialogue • Faith sharing

28. Same - Different View on Peace • Buddhists – attain through Four Noble Truths • Jewish – completeness • Muslim – (peacemaking) godly act worthy of praise and reward • Christian – gift from God – passes all understanding – gift (Isaiah 26:3) • Non-religious – absence of war

29. Same - Different View on Love • Buddhists – wanting happiness for others – detached • Jewish – both interpersonal love and love of God – justice • Muslim – must be for the sake of Allah – fruit of piety • Christian – God is love - love others – charity and mercy (1 John 4:16) • Non-religious – physical relationship

30. Same - Different View on Heaven • Buddhists – temporary levels until Nirvana • Jewish – everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits • Muslim – happiness and peace for believers • Christian – eternal walk with God (Matt. 16:19) • Non-religious – doesn’t exist

31. Same - Different View on Deity

32. Same - Different View on Deity • Buddhists – no personal god or divine being • Jewish – one, all-powerful God • Muslim – one god – Allah • Christian – Triune – Father, Son and Holy Spirit • Non-religious – whatever appeals from the intellectual buffet

33. New Christian “Menu” How have beliefs changed over the years? • God as ruler of Universe? • Real Satan? • Jesus sinned? • Living Holy Spirit? • Bible accurate? • Bible, Book of Mormon and Koran are all the same spiritual truth? 78% agree 60% agree 39% agree 42% agree 78% agree 41% agree

34. What is on your Plate? Have your beliefs changed over the years? If so, how? Why?

35. Connections • Listen for values • Clarify • Ask to hear their story • Permission to share yours

36. Listen For Values • “Family” • “Success” • “Work” • “Home” • “History” • “Religion”

37. Clarify • “What do you mean by that?” • “I hear you saying. . .” • “Can you tell me more about. . .?”

38. Their Story • “Will you share. . .” • “May I hear. . .” • “Is it OK if I ask. . .”

39. Your Story • “Do you mind if I share. . .” • “May I share with you. . .” • “Is it OK if I share. . .”

40. Points of Connection • Life stages • Marriage • Birth of child • Conflict • Death • Loss of job • Relocation • Children in school • Empty nest

41. Points of Connection • Events • Holidays • Elections • Disasters • Neighborhood gatherings • Festivals • Politics

42. Points of Connection • Media • Books • Magazines • TV shows • Movies

43. Practice • Pick an event important in your life. • Find another person. • Ask permission to hear their story. • Listen for value words. • Ask permission to share your story. • Appeal to their values.

44. Remember • Age counts • Modern is not Post-Modern. • Religion is not universal. • Words have different meanings.

45. Remember • Connections take time. • Seek permission. • Listen actively. • Follow-through.

46. More from LHM www.lhm.org Outreach Resources Faith-Focused Resources Regional Outreach Conferences Five14International Ministries Partnerships Project Connect The Lutheran HourMen’s NetWork JCPlayZone Para el Camino

47. Ongoing Education Web-based Training • Special Speaker Series • Monthly Webinar • Second Saturday of the month • August - May • 10– 11 AM CST

48. Ongoing Education Web-based Training • MISSION U Web Office • Second and fourth Friday each month • 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CST • August – May

49. To view upcoming web training dates, topics and speakers, visit www.whatsmissionu.com