Apologetica Youth — Middle School

What Is Apologetics — And Why You Need It

Week 1 of 5

Close your eyes. 👀

Seriously — everybody.

01

Tuesday. Lunch. Your table.

“Christianity is a fairy tale for people who are afraid of death.”

“Do you actually believe this stuff?”

“…Why?”

The whole table is looking at you. Waiting.

What comes out of your mouth?

Would anything come out?

If you’d freeze — you are completely normal.

Most adults would freeze too. Five weeks from now? Not you.

02

ah · pol · oh · JET · iks

Say it with me.

“Sorry I’m a Christian. My bad.”

Nope. It means the exact opposite.

apologia

The defense lawyer’s speech: “Here’s the evidence. Here’s why you should believe me.” Zero percent sorry.

“Always be prepared to give an answer… But do this with gentleness and respect.”

1 Peter 3:15

Written to regular people. Kids your age included.

Heart

Loving Jesus comes first. Win the argument but be mean about it? You lost.

Head

Being ready takes learning. That’s these five weeks.

How

HOW you say it matters as much as WHAT you say.

A kid trusts the bridge because mom said so. The engineer knows how it holds the weight.

Who trusts the bridge more? These five weeks turn you into the engineer.

03

Where do you hear stuff against God?

Questions are welcome here.

Especially the scary ones.

A real person. A real cross. A real empty tomb.

Real things that really happened — and you can give real reasons for them.

04

The three moves

1 · DEFENSE

Block the shot. Answer calmly.

2 · OFFENSE

Take the shot. Give reasons.

3 · FLIP IT

The secret move: ask a question back.

“The Bible is full of contradictions!”

“Which one? Let’s look at it together.”

“How could a good God let bad things happen?”

“Great question — there are real answers. We’re getting there.”

No panic. Calm answer.

The universe had a beginning. What started it?

Some things are really, truly wrong. Says who?

The tomb was empty. Who moved the stone?

Those three questions ARE our next three weeks. 💪

“There’s no such thing as truth!”

“Is THAT true?”

“That’s YOUR truth, not mine!”

“Is it true for everybody that it’s only true for me?”

“You shouldn’t push your beliefs on people!”

What’s the flip? 🤔

“Isn’t that a belief you’re pushing on me right now?”

The pattern: every sentence breaks its own rule. It knocks itself over.

A gift. Not a dunk. 🤝

Gentleness and respect — same verse. Deal?

05

The stairs 🪟

Is God real?
→
Can we trust the Bible?
→
Did Jesus rise?

One step at a time. You can climb them with a friend who believes none of it — yet.

06

Try this answer…

“Yeah, I really do believe it. And I’m learning the reasons why. Want to hear them while I learn them?”

QR code linking to the Ask Anything form

Ask Anything

Point your camera here. Type the question you’d never say out loud. No names. Total secret.

No phone? Grab a card, write it, drop it in the box.

How do we know God is even real?

An argument so simple you can draw it on a napkin.

Let’s pray.

God loves our questions — and never gets mad when we ask.