“Fix bayonets!”
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So, our Fix bayonets training is bearing much Kingdom fruit. In several of our outreaches, through this practice, Christians are being equipped to contend with modern-day moral issues and objections to Christ. Fix bayonets is our time of engaging someone face-to-face, literally, as a Christian or a Critic, and role-playing through various arguments, as per 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” Today, there are basically two categories of objections to the god-stuff:
When I give the command, “Fix bayonets,” the first two rows of our chairs are adjusted, so as to be face-to-face. I designate one row as Critics and the opposing row as Christians. (If we have any first-timers, as a courtesy, I generally let them be Critics first. Being a Critic seems to be easier as we role-play.) Next, we address a couple of 101 objections (see list of top common objections below). I instruct the Critics to not be easy on the Christian, and to demand bible-based responses, vice, just opinions. I tell them, “Sixty seconds… go!” Man, they’re off to the races! It gets loud, chaotic, the players get closer to each other, and they argue back-and-forth. I yell, “Time’s up” and when it quiets down, and before I reveal my scriptures, I ask, “What are the best Christian responses to (the argument)?” We take a few minutes to chew the fat — address the topic… look at it from different angles. Then I show my list of scriptures (usually no less than five per argument). I quickly assign readers for each verse and then I loudly ask, “What’s the bible say about (the argument),” and one verse is read aloud. It’s revealing and penetrating. I repeat this process — ask the question and answer by reading aloud the next verse — for each scripture that pertains to that argument. (Seems to be more ingrained this way.) Lastly, before we proceed to the next argument, we do a “butt-shuffle.” (One person goes to the end of their row, and everyone else slides down one seat.) After the 101 stuff, we dive into the 201 arguments, which are a bit more difficult, but covered in the Word. (See pic below) As we spar and run through these drills, this time can be quite intimidating, uncomfortable, provoking, and challenging. Good! However, and more importantly, it’s a time of humility, rapid maturity, greater illumination, and fun. Disciples are made and equipped to go into the fields, fulfilling Jesus’ exhortation, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Mt 9:37-38) |
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Here’s a brief, recent testimony from one of our disciples: “As Tiffany and I️ were reviewing our wedding plans, she mentioned that the generous lady who’s letting us use her land for our ceremony knew of a hair stylist who would do all of the bridesmaids hair for free. One thing led to another and Tiffany mentioned to me that he is a homosexual. (All I️ heard was “gay male”.) Initially, I️ was very ignorant and blurted, “Heck no! I’m not having him in any part of our wedding. I’ll pay for I️t myself!” Tiffany didn’t understand where my conviction was coming from, and I️ didn’t understand her lack of biblical understanding as far as homosexuality is concerned. (She’s a relatively new believer and is learning and growing rapidly.) We debated about why this man should, or should not be, in any part of our wedding ceremony. Tiffany said things like, “I️t’s his life and he should be able to do what he wants,” and, “It’s not my place to tell him he’s wrong,” and, “We’re not suppose to judge,” and, “We think homosexuals can change, but they just can’t.” I️ was confused. I️ was confident on biblical responses to her statements (only because of Fix bayonets with Pastor Nick). I️t took a second for me to realize that even as wonderful and amazing as Tiffany is, she doesn’t have all the right answers all the time. She needs to be taught the same things I️’ve recently been taught. The best way I️ knew how was to role-play. Tiffany would act as the man and I️ would be myself. I️ went on to explain why God calls us to judge and judge correctly (Jn 7:24), how God designed men and women to be together in marriage, how homosexuality is a sin (1Cor 6:9, 7:2), how we are commanded to share the gospel and make the most of every opportunity God gives us (Mk 16:15; Col 4:5), and that we are to share even when we might look like fools a The only reason I️ was able to make the most of that opportunity was because I️ have been challenged every Saturday and Monday night for the past 2 months here in Okinawa by Pastor Nick’s Fix bayonets and Read the New Testament in 40 Days Challenge. Thanks be to God for how receptive and humble Tiffany was. She is such a beautiful, awesome woman and I️’m so glad that I️ get to share God’s truth with her, and be the HusBand (house-band) for our family.” |
nd are afraid (Col. 4:5, 2Tim 4:2-5). Also, if we choose to obey sin, we become slaves, think sinful thoughts, and get stuck. But if we obey God we can be righteous and think things that please God. (Rom.6:16-17, 8:2-9).