Apologetics: In the beginning…

     You are new to the NCFCA and you want to compete in Apologetics. Of course you do! Everyone wants to be able to defend his or her faith. I wanted that and I began teaching my kids apologetics as part of our homeschool curricula. And yet - when it came to competition - my kids said, "No thanks, Mom."  At first I was surprised, perhaps maybe a little more disappointed. The truth is, competing in apologetics can be pretty intimidating once younger students hear what seniors can do. So what is the solution? 

     Demystify the event and the performance! I realized my emphasis on the event created the problem. A low key approach would have worked much better.  If you are a younger competitor age 12-14 let me encourage you, competing in apologetics is fun and you will be excited to learn all about the Bible and how to unpack its meaning. Every Christian wants to be able to do that, but few pursue it long enough to really excel at it. This is your opportunity to have fun learning about scripture and being able to think clearly about how to apply it in your life!  

     So for now consider the competition part separate from the learning apologetics part. And then ask yourself what the answer is when you look at all of the following questions, "How do you climb a mountain?", "How do you run a race?", "How do you complete a science project?"  The answer to ALL of these questions is the same, "One step at a time." And just imagine all the things you are able to do today because you BEGAN quite a while ago.

     Can you play the piano or violin? Do you remember the beginning when it was difficult? It was hard at first. There may have been times when you wondered if you would ever become the musician you want to be. You may be on that journey right now and it is a wonderful journey.  Because the thing about climbing mountains (a metaphor for learning anything), is that you are in the midst of practice when suddenly... you become accomplished! One day the piano or violin piece that used to be so challenging is just easier to play. The math that you were so frustrated in learning becomes clear, the soccer move you just couldn't get right begins to work almost every time. This is the process for everything and to start and continue is the key to the finish.

     Numerous experts say it takes about 10,000 hours to master a skill; piano, gymnastics, ice skating, golf, just about anything that requires both mental and physical skill. And you don't really notice the time going by if you enjoy the process of learning to achieve that goal - you just have to stick with it through the tough times. Pretty soon, 10,000 hours are over and done with and you've got skills! 

     I have great news for you though, mastering apologetics does NOT take 10,000 hours. One to two hours a week in the beginning----that's 30 minutes a day----will do it. Your first year, focus on the questions you find easier to understand. As you progress, dig in to the tougher questions, the ones you find a bit more challenging. What you will discover is that the easier questions you've already written cards for lead to the answers for the more difficult topics. How exciting!  So now those challenging topics are less challenging, and off you go to write those cards!

     Here are some tips on card writing:

• Avoid writing long sentences - you do not want your head down reading your cards in rounds

  • ​Instead write key words or short sentences that will spark your memory

  • Keeping your head up, making eye contact, and glancing down to pick up information is key - so let there be white space on the card between your points.

  • Cards are cheap - so use more cards and make sure you can easily follow your points down the card

• Paperclip your topic cards together in your box.

  • Place a sticky tab with the topic number on it at the top of each card set so you can easily see your topic numbers when you open your box.

  • This saves time during in-round preparation.

  • Remember that you may only take a Bible without journaling or notes in it as well as your box into a round. Be sure you remove church programs and old topic cards from your box or Bible as well.

  • You may take a pen and blank cards and your timer with you and keep them in your box.

     Follow the writing process outlined below and it will simplify the learning, leading to a better result overall.

• Print the topics from the NCFCA website.

  • Using a 1 inch binder, hole punch the topics and keep them in a LABELED three ring binder.

  • With your parent, discuss which topics you want to learn about first. HIghlight three to study about in your first three weeks.

  • Purchase your 4x6 notecards (I prefer lined) and a box to keep them in.

  • Choose the topic you are working on and WRITE THE TOPIC AT THE VERY TOP OF EACH NOTECARD you write for this topic. Use numbers next to the topic to dilineate the order of the cards for that topic. 

    • This will help you know which cards go to which topic if they get out of order. (You can also assign the topic number to any other cards you write on this topic. For example: Question 12 is "Is God good?" I will write on the very top of my first card, "12: Is God good? - 1". This way, if you ever forget your topic during your speech - you can find it again on your card.

  • The MOST important thing about notecards is to understand how to file information on those cards.

    • You will be looking up scripture verses that apply to the topic. You will want a card with your scriptures written out clearly to read to the judges: include the book, chapter, and verses written out legibly.

    • Students do struggle to read their own handwriting in rounds because they wrote their cards in a hurry, so write legibly.

    • Analysis: You will want to write your analysis, or explanation telling the judges the answer to the actual apologetics question on the cards.

      • Here are some tips:

        • Write an introduction card: this means you think of a great way to explore the topic and grab the judges attention. We call this a "hook" in the writing world. Think of what people that do not know God assume about Him. For the question "Is God good?", you might hear non-christians ask, "If God is good, why do bad things happen to good people?" You can explain by using an example of God's goodness; His love, His grace, His mercy.

          • Tell a story to demonstrate - this is so effective in the introduction. And do not forget to introduce the topic in this introduction.

          • Include a two-point thesis. This is where you tell the judges how you will analyze and explain your answer.

            • Two Points of Analysis: Now it's time to dig in to your two thesis points. Let's say you decide to choose your two points to be, 1) God's covenants with His people, and 2) God's forgiveness through the Gospel.

            • Write one card for each of these. In the end you want to be organized (that's a ballot criteria for judges to evaluate), so organizing your speech as you write cards helps you in the round.

            • Conclusion and answering the question again: Now it is time to look back at card one. Did you start with a story? If so remind the judges of what it was.

              • Now look at your conclusion card and here you want to write the answer: Yes, judges, God is good.

                • Then briefly summarize, the keyword here is briefly, summarize your two points and how they demonstrate the goodness of God.

            • Impact: This part of the speech is often harder for beginners, but do not be afraid of it! Judges love the power of young voices speaking the truth of God's word in love.

              • Here you simply ask the judges to contemplate the goodness of God at work in their own lives. You want to encourage the judges to remember that God is the source of all good things and to thank Him for His goodness.

            • Timing: Often new apologetics students struggle to give a 6 minute speech. You may only speak for 2 minutes because you don't have enough information on the topic you were given because you haven't written much on it. That's okay!

              • Use other cards you have written to get some ideas and just do your best and have fun.

     Finally, keep at it! Never give up. I wish that I had been in an organization like the NCFCA when I was young, and I wish I had studied apologetics the way you have the opportunity to now. What a blessing to have the opportunity to sharpen your knowledge of your faith and understand the scriptures better. Every Christian benefits from this kind of study, and doing it now will get you way ahead in your walk of faith.  As my former mentor used to say to me everyday, "Inch by inch, it's a cinch!" Hey, that might just be an impromptu topic!

     And keep this scripture verse in mind as you prepare for NCFCA Apologetics, 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) says, "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

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Blessings in your studies,

René Schiltz

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