In the last episode, Catherine highlighted the five primary apologetic approaches for defending the Christian faith. While varying greatly on inception points, strategy, philosophy and subject matter, all of the approaches agree on the superiority of one defense.

That is—EXPERIENCE.

A person’s experience with God is powerful and preeminent. Offering a personal testimony of how God has transformed your life is the one defense that no one can dispute, because it is your experience. A personal encounter with God solidifies one’s faith, making it rational, robust, and enduring.

So how can we have a practical encounter with God?

Catherine walks us through 10 practical ways that we can experience God:

1. Make God your priority (engage with God’s Word, worship, and prayer daily).
2. Plant yourself in the local church.
3. Practice honest reflection and repentance.
4. Fast regularly.
5. Shake up your schedule with sacrifice.
6. Get involved with a mission or ministry.
7. Go on a mission’s trip.
8. Go on a nature walk.
9. Start a spiritual journal.
10. Read a biography on a missionary or great Christian leader.

The items on this list are not revolutionary, but implementing them are. Start with the first three, which need to be a part of every believer’s daily discipleship, and then choose a few others to try. As you commit to prioritizing God, you will experience Him in new and exciting ways.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Resource on church wounds: Episode 44 – Have You Or Your Kids Been Wounded in the Church?

Driven By Eternity: Make Your Life Count Today and Forever by John Bevere

Fasting: Open the Door To a Deeper, More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God by Jentezen Franklin

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boon

A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliott

The Intercessor  (Reese Howell) by Norman Grubb

The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun

Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes by Dave and Neta Jackson

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:

Matthew 6:21 & 33

Hebrews 20:25

Psalm 62:5-8

2 Tim. 1:6-7

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