The Case for Christ: A Course in Christian Witness

By Fr. David Subu

as used at Camp Vatra, Summer 2003

A Teen Study Guide based on Lee Strobel’s popular book, "The Case For Christ": A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan. 1998. Also utilizing the Student Version of "The Case For Christ".

Goals:

To examine critically and honestly the claims of Orthodox Christianity
To learn how to respond to skeptics and defend the faith
To gain knowledge to support one’s own ability to choose faith
To engage the gospels in a new and exciting way based on courtroom dramas

Objectives:
By the end of the course students should be able:

To hear about and discuss each of the major facets of evidence for Christ in Strobel’s book, The Case for Christ
To respond positively and constructively to typical criticisms or arguments against Christian faith
To identify and articulate the main reasons we have Christian faith
To choose for themselves the Christian faith on an informed basis

This course will take place in 9-10 sessions of 45 minutes each.

Sessions:

Session 1: Christ on Trial
Session 2: The Gospel: The evidence we have
Session 3: The Evangelists on the witness stand
- Testing the Eyewitnesses Worksheet
Session 4: The Documentary Evidence
- Unlike Any Other Ancient Document Worksheet
Session 5: Corroboration, Science, Rebuttals
- Archeological Evidence Worksheet
Session 6: Jesus on the Witness Stand I
- An Identity Crisis? Worksheet
Session 7: Jesus on the Witness Stand II
Session 8: The Resurrection on Trial
Session 9: Summary Arguments
Sentencing

Each session should begin with a prayer, “O Heavenly King,” include some review of the main points from the day before, and involve at least one activity or worksheet. Begin each class with the “Opening question” if given, allowing each person to answer that question in turn. Close each class with the “Deliberations” which they are to answer in their journals. Some are given on the worksheets.

An Outline of Lee Strobel’s, "The Case for Christ":

Examining The Record:

Eyewitness Evidence:
- Can the biographies be trusted?
- Do the biographies stand up to scrutiny?
Documentary Evidence:
- Were the biographies reliably preserve
Corroborating Evidence:
- Is there evidence outside the biographies for Jesus?
Scientific Evidence:
- Does archaeology confirm or contradict Jesus’ biographies?
Rebuttal Evidence:
- Is the Jesus of history the Jesus of faith?

Analyzing Jesus

Identity Evidence:
- Was Jesus convinced he was the Son of God?
Psychological Evidence:
- Was Jesus crazy for claiming to be the Son of God?
Profile Evidence:
- Did Jesus fit the attributes of God?
Fingerprint Evidence:
- Did Jesus and Jesus alone match the Identity?

Researching the Resurrection:

Medical Evidence:
- Was Jesus’ death a sham and the resurrection a hoax?
Missing Body/ Empty Tomb Evidence:
- Was Jesus’ Body really absent from the Tomb?
Appearances Evidence:
- Was Jesus seen alive after His death on the Cross?
Circumstantial Evidence:
- Are there any supporting facts that point to the Resurrection?

Conclusion:

The Verdict of History