Training Resources

List of Resources

Mainstream Apologetics

(Christian Apologetics)
Knowing and Defending 5 Key Tenets of the Christian Faith

Do you know what you believe and why you believe the key truths of the Christian faith? In this class, we explore topics in Christian Apologetics including the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, the divinity and resurrection of Jesus, and more. This study is user-friendly and practical for all. This class contains 12 sessions. Each session is 20-25 minutes in length. Slides, slides (w/space for note taking), and discussion questions are provided. Taught by Leo Modica

Session 1: Introduction to Apologetics (Part 1)

What is Apologetics?
Why is Apologetics Important?
Topics include ...
- Classical Definition of Apologetics
- Biblical Imperatives for Apologetics
- Broader Definition of Apologetics
- Introduction to Mainstream Apologetics Website
Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 2: Introduction to Apologetics (Part 2)

How Do I Reason About the World Around Me?
Topics include ...
- Comparison of Worldviews
- Framework for Reasoning & Ascertaining Truth
- Harmony of Science and Scripture
- Role of Faith
Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 3: Existence of God (Part 1)

How Do Know God Exists?
Topics include ...
- Premise 1 of the KAMAL Cosmological Argument
- Universe had a Singularity Beginning
- Rationale for a Transcendent, First Cause, Creator-God
Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 4: Existence of God (Part 2)

How Do Know God Exists?

Topics include:

- Premises 2 and 3 of the KAMAL Cosmological Argument

- First Principles of Thought (Laws of Logic)

- The Trustworthiness of Mathematics

- The Implausibility of Infinity Past

- The Reality of the Supernatural

Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 5: Purposes of God (Part 1)

How Do I Know Life Was Created for a Purpose?

Topics include:

- Claim: Life was Created by a Transcendent, Divine Designer

- Darwin's Doubt

- Teleology: Study of Purpose and Function

- Unfathomable Complexities of Biological Life

Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 6: Purposes of God (Part 2)

How Do I Know Life Was Created for a Purpose?

Topics include:

- Evidence for Purpose

      Fine-Tuning

      Cambrian Explosion of Life

      Blueprint for Life

      Universal Design Patterns

- Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever

Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 7: Revelation of God (Part 1)

How Did God Reveal Himself to Mankind?
Topics include ...
- God's Process of Revelation
- General Revelation
       Evidence of Creation
       Moral Conscience
Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 8: Revelation of God (Part 2)

How Did God Reveal Himself to Mankind?
Topics include ...
- Special Revelation:
      Evidence for Inspiration
      Inscripturation
      Transmission
      Translation
Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Translation Chart 1
Translation Chart 2
Video

Session 9: Divinity of Jesus (Part 1)

How Do I Know Jesus is Divine?
Topics include ...
- Extra-Biblical/Eyewitness Testimony
- Jesus' Authoritative Teaching
- Jesus' Overall Authority
- Jesus' Mental Wellness
Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 10: Divinity of Jesus (Part 2)

How Do I Know Jesus is Divine?
Topics include ...
- Miracles
- Messianic Prophecies
- Incarnation of Truth
- Nature of Transcendent Truth  
Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 11: Resurrection of Jesus (Part 1)

How Do I Know Jesus Died by Crucifixion?
Topics include ...
- Jesus Died a Certain Death by Crucifixion
       Extra-Biblical Accounts
       Eyewitness Accounts
       Forensic Evidence
       Buried in a Secured Tomb
       Fulfillment of Prophecies
Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Session 12: Resurrection of Jesus (Part 2)

How Do I Know Jesus was Raised from the Dead?
Topics include ...
- Jesus' Resurrection Witnessed by 500+ People
- Conversion of Many Skeptics
- Circumstantial Evidence
     Darkness and Earthquakes
     Resurrection of the Saints
     Cessation of Temple Phenomena
     Shroud of Turin
 
Slides
Slides + Note Taking
Discussion Questions
Video

Mainstream Apologetics (Youth)

(Christian Apologetics)

Knowing and Defending 6 Key Tenets of the Christian Faith

Do you know what you believe and why you believe the key truths of the Christian faith? In this class, we explore topics in Christian Apologetics including the existence of God, the reliability of the Bible, the divinity and resurrection of Jesus, and more. This study is user-friendly and practical for all. This class contains 6 sessions. Taught by Leo Modica

Week 1: Truth of God - What is Truth? 

Handout
Slides

Week 2: Existence of God - How Do I Know God Exists?

Handout
Slides

Week 3: Creation of God - How Did Life Begin?

Handout
Slides
The Case for an Old Earth

Week 4: Revelation of God - Is the Bible Inspired and Trustworthy?

Handout
Slides

Week 5: Divinity of Jesus - Is Jesus the Incarnate God?

Handout
Slides

Week 6: Resurrection of Jesus - Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?

Handout
Slides

Week 1-6: ALL-IN-ONE

All Handouts
All Slides

Engaging with People on the Topic of God's Truth

Modern Evangelism

Today, Christians often struggle to share the Gospel, particularly in our deeply divided society where many people hold negative views about religion. Together, we will explore the following questions. 

·       How do the unchurched reason about the world around them? Where do they find Truth?

·       How do we engage effectively with people who are very different from us; people who are opposed to what we believe?

·       What principles and life skills are helpful in our pursuit of sharing the Gospel and the truths of God's Word?

This study will include in-class exercises that will help participants apply the principles and life skills presented. Taught by Leo Modica.

Slides Weeks 1&2
Handouts Weeks 1&2
Audio Week 1
Audio Week 2
Paper

Biggies: Big Questions of the Christian Faith

Short Answers to BIG Questions of the Christian Faith

Let's face it, life is complicated and often times perplexing. Everyone at some point in their lives encounters tough questions or sticking points that prevent them from growing in their Christian faith. Join us as we explore the big questions of the Christian faith. This class contains 8 sessions. Each session is 1 hour in length. 

Taught by Leo and Judy Modica

The following curriculum was taught in January 2025.

Week 1: How do I Know God Exists and Created All Things?

Slides

Week 2: Who is Jesus and Why is Jesus the Only Way to God?

Slides

Week 3: How Do I Know God's Word is Inspired and Trustworthy?

Slides
Handout 1
Handout 2
Handout 3
Handout 4
Handout 5
Handout 6

Week 4: How Does Man's Free Will and God's Sovereignty Coexist?

Slides

Week 5: If God is Good, Why is there Pain and Suffering in the World?

Slides

Week 6: What Does God's Word Say About Current Social Issues?

Slides

Week 7: What Does Look Like for Me to Be Salt and Light in the World?

Slides

Week 8: How do I Communicate the Gospel to People Far from God?

Slides
Handouts

Parables of Jesus

Understanding Jesus' Teaching in the Original Cultural Context

Why did Jesus teach using parable? How can we better understand the historical-cultural context of these teachings? Join us as we explore the parables of the Lost Sons, Good Samaritan, and other parables.

Week 1:
Introduction to Jesus' Parables

- What are Parables?
- Why Did Jesus Teach Using Parables?
- Why Are Parables Difficult to Understand?
- Understanding the Cultural Context of Parables
- Understanding the Literary Structure of Parables
Slides
Handout

Week 2:
Parable of the Prodigal Son

(Luke 15:11-32)
LOSTNESS: Study of the Pharisees' Attitude Toward Lost Sinners
Slides
Handout

Week 3:
Parable of the Good Samaritan

(Luke 10:25-37)
GOODNESS: Study of the Pharisees' Self-Goodness
Slides
Handout

Week 4:
Parable of the Two Debtors

(Luke 7:36-50)
SINFULNESS: All Have Sinned and Need God's Unmerited Grace
Slides
Handout

Week 5:
Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

(Matthew 20:1-16)

FAIRNESS: God's Justice and Grace Contrasted

Slides
Handout

Engaging with God's Word

How Do I Study the Bible

As Christians, we believe that the Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We want to see and understand more of the biblical text.  This class will equip you to become more confident in understanding and living out God’s Word faithfully. Join us for a 7-week hands-on class that will equip you to know how to read, interpret and apply the Bible for yourself. Please purchase the book, Journey into God’s Word, before the first night of class.

This class contains 6 sessions. Each session is 1-1/2 hours in length with discussion, or 1 hour without discussion. Discussion questions provided.

Taught by Leo and Judy Modica

Week 1: Introduction to the Bible

Slides
Chart

Week 2: How the Original Readers Understood the Bible (Part 1)

Slides
Scripture

Week 3: How the Original Readers Understood the Bible (Part 2)

Slides
Notes 1
Notes 2

Week 4: Genres

Slides
Scripture

Week 5: How Do I Apply Biblical Principles Today

Slides
Scripture

Week 6: Bible Translations

Slides
Resources
Chart 1
Chart 2

Living Counter-Culturally

Living Contrary to the Ways of the World

Whether we realize it, we are molded by the world in which we live. Because we are inundated by secular news and culture, we subconsciously begin to live according to the ways of the world rather than God's ways. Jesus calls believers to be in the world but not of the world (1 John 2). Join us as we explore how to live counter-culturally according to principles of God's kingdom. This class contains 4 sessions. Each session is 1-1/2 hours in length with discussion, or 1 hour without discussion. Discussion questions provided.

Taught by Leo and Judy Modica

Week 1: Self-Glorification

Notes

Week 2: Materialism

Notes

Week 3: Relativism

Notes

Week 4: Judgmentalism

Notes

Salt & Light

Influencing the Word for the Gospel

What does it mean for Christians to live as Salt and Light in the world?

Taught by Leo Modica

Week 1: Light

Notes
Handout

Week 2: Salt

Notes
Handout

Biblical Literacy

How We Got Our Bible

Materials furnished on request.

Taught by Judy Modica

Hearing God

How We Individually Listen for God

Materials furnished on request.

Taught by Judy Modica

ALPHA

Introduction to Christianity Video Series

Materials furnished on request.

Taught by Leo and Judy Modica

Bible Discussion Groups

Resources for Leading Bible Discussion Groups

Bible Discussion Groups Overview

Articles Published in Converge POINT Magazine

Articulating God's Truth in an Unbelieving Age
A Different Approach to Reach Nonbelievers
Launching and Leading Bible Discussion Groups