Small Groups

Do you love non-Christians and doubting Christians enough to answer their questions and objections with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)? Do you want to learn how to persuasively articulate and explain Christianity instead of relying solely on canned speeches or tracts?

Our small groups are for you!

We’ve partnered with The C.S. Lewis Institute to bring your group a unique approach to apologetics training.

Rather than focusing solely on the reception of facts and evidence, this group provides you with challenging opportunities to practice doing conversational apologetics so you can feel more confident and comfortable while discussing your faith with others.

The Program Approach

The C.S. Lewis Institute’s Conversational Apologetics course takes some of the best practices in apologetics and evangelism and makes them accessible to believers seeking to live out their faith in everyday life. We want to train people to be apologists and evangelists within their sphere of influence. It is experiential and interactive in nature rather than focusing solely on the reception of information. This course provides participants with opportunities to practice using conversational apologetics in order to feel more confident and comfortable in discussing their faith in Jesus with others. 

Conversational Apologetics also helps followers of Jesus to rest ultimately in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who works through the believer to share their faith with others.

Three Basic Components of our Training

1. First, we seek to understand common objections that people have against Christianity and we develop rational answers to deal with them. 
2. Second, we learn and practice relationally relevant methods for sharing what we know with nonbelievers. 
3. Third, we encourage each other to get off the bench and practice these disciplines in real life.

General Flow of a Faith Ascent Small Group Meeting:

• Orientation Meeting
• Introductory Lessons and Practice in Conversational Apologetics
• Defining Conversational Apologetics
• How Do Questions Lead to Answers?
• Is Jesus Really the Only Way?
• If There Is a God, Why Does He Allow Evil and Suffering?
• Why Should I Believe the Bible?
• Why Are Christians So Close-Minded on Sexuality?
• Why Are Christians as Bad as Everyone Else and Hypocrites Too?
• If God Is Love, Why Would He Send People to Hell?
• Is It Time to Listen, Ask Questions, or Proclaim the Gospel?

Recommendation from a Pastor

The Conversational Apologetics class offered by Faith Ascent Ministries helped members of our church become much more confident to engage in spiritual conversations with friends.  The teaching was done with contagious energy and good humor, and the practical role-playing exercises equipped participants to apply what we were learning in a safe and supportive environment.  We plan to make this a regular part of our church’s training in outreach. I highly recommend this class for Christians who want to learn to share their faith in Christ with both truth and grace in equal measure.

Rev. Dr. Michael Farley
Pastor of Spiritual Formation
Central Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, MO