An Able Defense Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: An Able Defense------------------------------------- Date: 10/6/2002 Keyword: "defense" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. For the first six days of October, our three-minute Bible studies will key on central issues related to life in Christ. The verses we'll look at may not explicitly relate to the subject of sexual temptation, but they will (hopefully) help all of us to stand firm as we "go back to the basics." Passage: 1 Peter 3:15* But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. Questions 1. Peter tells Christians to be prepared to defend the hope that they have in Christ. A defense is usually planned against an expected attack of some kind. What kind of an attack might Peter be envisioning?   2. How are Christians to respond when defending their faith?   Practical help Christians have a hope that is out of this world — and they are commissioned by Jesus to tell others about it. Peter uses the terminology of battle to describe our witness to a lost world when he says we are to be "ready to make a defense." On the one hand, this defense brings to mind the need to be able to answer questions that an unbelieving person might ask about Christianity and to respond respectfully to false accusations against the faith. On the other hand, this defense might refer to someone who questions how Christians are able to lead pure and holy lifestyles. Moral courage and personal purity are provocative. When Christians, prompted by a sincere love for Jesus, lead lives that are demonstrably pure, they will raise questions from people who are lost and who do not have the benefit of the moral compass of Scripture or the indwelling Holy Spirit. Fellow Christians, let's make it our aim to be prepared to defend our faith when others ask us questions about the content of Christianity or when they wonder why in the world we lead such upright lives. Both our conduct and our character are critical components in the life of the effective witness. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2002 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission." ---