Do you ever feel like you’re having a hard time getting your research off
the ground? Here are five starting points for content that’s out of this world.
1. Yourself
If you’re a Christian, you certainly know the gospel, and probably much
more if you grew up in church.
As the light of the world, Christians ought to have internalized enough of
our faith to understand and explain it in our own words while conversing with
an unbeliever. As professional, credible speakers, we hold to higher standards
of academic integrity than we do in everyday conversations, of course. An
informal, working knowledge may not be enough, but it’s a great start.
You’re also your own launching pad because you have unique life
experiences and stories that no other speaker could contribute. Perhaps you used
to believe one of the statements for analysis, and then God corrected your
thinking. Maybe learning the meaning of a term was a breakthrough for you in understanding
the gospel. It’s your speech, so make it truly yours.
2. Books
Books are fantastic, and since theology doesn’t change, you don’t have to
worry about your sources being outdated. Church libraries are the best; you can
also borrow books from club members and friends. Wait to buy a book until you
know it’s the one you want.
A. Systematic Theologies
Most of
these are really thick books, and some can feel dry and dense. Keep reading,
though—they tend to be solid and very beneficial. This year I discovered
Foundations of the Christian Faith by James Montgomery Boice, and I wish I had
had it during my time in NCFCA.
B. Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
Okay, we know that explaining the meaning and significance of something is
way more than just defining it. Still, reading a definition in a speech improves
credibility and clarity, and it earns you points for outside sources. Bible
dictionaries and encyclopedias are also beneficial in expanding and
crystalizing your own knowledge base.
C. Books Specifically for Apologetics
Lucky for us, real-life apologists write books to persuade unbelievers or
equip Christians to do so. My favorite is C.S. Lewis’ classic Mere
Christianity; two other excellent examples are Lee Strobel’s The Case for
Christ and Josh McDowell’s Evidence that Demands a Verdict. These cover a
variety of topics and are interesting.
D. Books on Specific Topics
Apologists, theologians, pastors, and philosophers have written hundreds
of books dealing with subjects relevant to our speech topics. Just make sure
you know the author’s positions before you believe or cite him. I like The Knowledge
of the Holy by A.W Tozer for Category I and W.A. Criswell’s Why I Preach that
the Bible is Literally True for Category II. Ravi Zacharias has several helpful
gems dealing with other worldviews.
3. Pastors
and Church Leaders
Seriously,
what pastor or youth pastor wouldn’t want to talk with a curious student about
a specific Bible-related question? Be courteous and schedule a meeting (with a
time limit) in advance. Remember to ask where to find more information, since
you need outside sources. If you’re really polite, you might score a killer
speech AND a community judge!
4. The Internet
No matter
how instinctive it is to pull up Google whenever we need information,
researching on the internet isn’t your best option. The most important tip is
to know what makes the author a trustworthy expert. As in debate, the only
excuses for being on Wikipedia are mining it for real sources or checking an
author’s bio.
Still, there
is a lot of helpful information, if you’re willing to search for it. You can
also use the internet to read from non-Christian sources for free. For
instance, you may not want to support Richard Dawkins by paying for one of his
books, but you can access his website to learn about atheism and naturalism
from the perspective of their proponents.
5.
Unexpected Places
Everyday
life is full of tidbits to incorporate. Listening to a sermon? Take good notes!
Having your quiet time? Ask God to teach you as you read, and you’re certain to
run into something for competition as you seek God in His Word. Reading the
news? Listening to music? Watching a movie? Guess which worldviews are at play.
Reading literature? Look for analogies and illustrations.
The great
thing about apologetics is that it deals with real-life questions about
real-life issues. Ideas are everywhere people are. We know that competitive
apol is supposed to help with real apologetics, but can I tell you a secret?
It works the
other way, too.
Some of my
best speeches used stories of actual people with whom I’ve shared the gospel or
talked about spiritual matters. Seriously, go interact with unbelievers and
have the courage and compassion to bring up the best news you could ever give
them.
With these five
launching pads, you’ll be well on your way to speaking with stellar content. Take
to the sky, and remember to have a blast along the way.
