Korky Kemp serves as the Eastern Director for College Golf Fellowship, a national ministry with nine full time staff based around the country. Having played golf at NC State, then professionally for seven years on various tours, he started working with CGF in 2005. Through outreach banquets, team and tournament visits, weekly Bible studies, individual discipleship and retreats with PGA Tour players, the staff of CGF strive to impact the world of college golf and beyond with the life changing message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This blog post was adapted from Korky’s Links Player devotional on defending the Christian faith.
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“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
More Confident in Golf
As we advance in the game of golf, we desire to hit more and more shots. It is satisfying when we practice a new shot then use it successfully on the course. This process builds confidence.
I remember when I was playing professional golf and had a match late one summer afternoon with 7 assistant pros. We were all playing in the same group, and the bet was called “Skins with Carryovers.” There was a 7 hole carryover, and I had a downhill side hill 6 footer for birdie to win. The pressure was thick, and I felt really nervous as the other guys were all pulling for me to miss. I made the putt and won the money!
That putt prepared me for a similar situation a few weeks later. I was in a playoff to get into my first PGA Tour event and had a tricky putt to win. Having felt the mounting pressure from a “Skins” match, I was mentally prepared to handle the pressure of a putt to win a playoff to qualify for the Michelob Classic at Kingsmill.
More Confident in Faith
As we grow in the faith, conversations with seekers come up more and more. Our heart aligns with God as we desire for all people, especially our friends, to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Along the way, there are certain “shots” that prove helpful in that process. Probably the best “shot” to have in your bag is a clear presentation of the gospel that includes God, man, sin, and salvation through belief in Jesus Christ.
In today’s society, there are also a few “lies” that we have to be able to traverse during our spiritual conversations. The enemy puts forth “lies” that lead people to question God, his goodness and his people.
The most common “lies” that people encounter on their road to God need to be “addressed” for progress toward a relationship with God. Preparing to answer the following questions is comparable to learning new shots in golf. Addressing these questions with friends will help you uncover the lies that your unbelieving friends have believed. These questions include:
- Is there a God?
- Is the Bible reliable?
- Why do bad things happen to good people?
- What about all the hypocrites?
Advice from 1 Peter 3:15
Answering these common questions for people falls in line with Peter’s encouragement to, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
Even more important than learning a new golf shot, learning to answer these common objections will help you to be clutch when the pressure is on. Answering these questions, along with prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, will greatly improve your game in regards to sharing your faith with others!
Recommended Resources
I’m Glad You Asked: In-Depth Answers to Difficult Questions about Christianity. By Ken Boa and Larry Moody.
Everything Your Friends Wanted to Know about Christianity and You Were Afraid They’d Ask Such questions as: How can there be a good God with all the suffering in the world? Isn’t religion just an emotional crutch? How do we even know there is a God?
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl.
Drawing on extensive experience defending Christianity in the public square, Koukl shows you how to: – Initiate conversations effortlessly. Present the truth clearly, cleverly, and persuasively; Graciously and effectively expose faulty thinking; Skillfully manage the details of dialogue – Maintain an engaging, disarming style even under attack Tactics provides the game plan for communicating the compelling truth about Christianity with confidence and grace.
Truth Matters: Confident Faith in a Confusing World by Andreas J. Köstenberger
Easy to read yet loaded with meat and substance, this book is a level-headed reaction to those who equate Christian faith with “blind faith,” even those whose subtle or stated goal is to separate students from their religious traditions. Readers will discover the kind of historical information and thinking skills that build a sturdy backbone of confidence in young adults, helping them defend by “reasoned faith” what the Bible claims as truth.
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