Bible Study 8.5: Proclaiming the Whole Counsel of God

Ministry Training Setting

This Bible study is designed for the leadership team of Grace Harbor Baptist Church, a daughter church of First Covenant Baptist Church. Grace Harbor is being planted in a city where Scientology operates a major center and has a visible community presence.

The study trains the church-planting team to present Christianity as a coherent biblical worldview rather than as a collection of isolated corrections to Scientology teachings. This directly supports the Topic 8 ministry-training purpose.

Topic Connection

Topic 8 examines Christian philosophy and theology through the biblical teachings of:

• the Triune God

• creation

• the image of God

• sin

• the incarnation

• the cross

• the Holy Spirit

• the church

• bodily resurrection

• new creation

Christian leaders must understand how these teachings fit together before they can explain meaningful differences between Christianity and Scientology.

Ministry Training Purpose

This study prepares Christian outreach leaders to:

• present the Christian worldview as one coherent biblical story

• reject the myth of religious neutrality

• explain the Creator–creation distinction

• clarify shared religious vocabulary

• proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ rather than spiritual advancement

• describe Christian transformation through the Holy Spirit

• present bodily resurrection and new creation as the Christian hope

• lead transparent, accountable, and permission-based gospel conversations

Ministry Training Outcome

By the end of this Bible study, participants will be able to explain the Christian story of creation, fall, incarnation, cross, resurrection, the Holy Spirit, the church, and new creation in a respectful conversation with a Scientologist.

60-Minute Schedule

1. Welcome, Opening Question, and Prayer

Time: 5 Minutes

Opening Question

When someone says, “Christianity and Scientology use many of the same words,” why is it important to ask what those words mean?

Allow several participants to respond.

Possible answers include:

• the same word may belong to a different worldview

• “Jesus” may mean a spiritual teacher rather than the incarnate Son of God

• “salvation” may mean advancement rather than forgiveness

• “spirit” may mean an immortal thetan rather than a created dimension of an embodied person

• “eternal life” may mean continued spiritual existence rather than resurrection

• shared vocabulary can create an appearance of agreement where major differences remain

Opening Prayer

Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank you for creating us, revealing yourself to us, and saving us through Jesus Christ. Give us wisdom to understand your Word, humility to listen carefully, and courage to proclaim the gospel clearly. Protect us from pride, fear, distortion, and manipulation. Form our church into a faithful Christian presence in this community. In Jesus’ name, amen.

2. Scripture Study One: The Creator and His Creation

Time: 10 Minutes

Primary Scripture

Genesis 1:1, 26–27

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

“God said, ‘Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.”

Supporting Scripture

Colossians 1:15–17

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, visible things and invisible things, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.”

Observation Questions

1. Who exists before creation?

2. Who brings creation into existence?

3. What does the passage say about the origin of visible and invisible realities?

4. What makes human beings distinct within creation?

5. What does Colossians teach about Christ’s relationship to creation?

6. Does anything within creation exist independently of God?

Interpretation

The Bible begins with God rather than with an independent spiritual self.

God alone is uncreated and self-existent. Everything else—including matter, spirits, human reason, physical laws, consciousness, space, and time—belongs to creation and depends upon God.

The most foundational distinction in Christian philosophy is therefore not spirit versus matter.

It is:

Creator versus creation.

This distinction prevents Christians from treating any part of creation as divine or ultimate.

Human beings are created in God’s image. They are not self-existent spiritual beings who happen to operate bodies. They are embodied persons whose identity, value, calling, and future depend upon God.

Scientology Comparison

Scientology commonly identifies the deepest human identity as the thetan, a spiritual being who exists apart from and operates through a body.

Christianity teaches that:

• the human person is created

• the human body is part of God-designed personhood

• human value comes from bearing God’s image

• spiritual existence is not self-existent

• everything visible and invisible depends upon God

• Christ is Lord over all creation

Ministry Application

A Christian leader might ask:

“Do you understand the spiritual self as created by God, or as something that has always existed?”

Another possible question is:

“Is your body part of your true identity, or mainly something your spiritual self uses?”

The leader should listen before responding and ask permission before explaining the Christian view.

Leadership Principle

Begin with the Creator–creation distinction before discussing isolated religious terms.

3. Scripture Study Two: Christ, Salvation, and New Creation

Time: 10 Minutes

Primary Scripture

John 1:1–3, 14

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made.”

“The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 20

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.”

Supporting Scripture

Ephesians 2:8–10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.”

Revelation 21:1–5

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, ‘Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore. The first things have passed away.’ He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”

Observation Questions

1. Who is Jesus according to John 1?

2. What does it mean that the Word became flesh?

3. What did Christ accomplish through his death?

4. What happened to Jesus after his burial?

5. Is salvation described as an achievement or a gift?

6. What is God’s final purpose for creation?

7. Does God abandon embodiment and creation, or renew them?

Interpretation

Jesus Christ is not merely a wise or highly advanced spiritual teacher. He is the eternal Son of God through whom all things were created.

In the incarnation, the Creator entered his creation. Jesus became truly human without ceasing to be God.

Christ died for sins and rose bodily from the dead. His resurrection establishes the Christian hope of bodily resurrection and renewed creation.

Salvation is not a graded path of spiritual advancement. It is God’s gift, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

Good works and Christian growth follow salvation. They do not earn it.

Scientology Comparison

Scientology may describe salvation or freedom as the recovery of spiritual awareness, ability, self-determinism, or freedom through training and auditing.

Christianity proclaims:

• humanity cannot save itself

• the eternal Son became human

• Jesus died for sinners

• Jesus rose bodily

• salvation is received by grace

• the Holy Spirit transforms believers

• the final hope is resurrection and new creation

Ministry Application

A Christian leader might ask:

“Do you understand salvation as something human beings accomplish through spiritual progress, or as something God must accomplish for us?”

Another helpful question is:

“What do you believe happened to Jesus after his death?”

Leadership Principle

Do not present Christianity as a superior spiritual procedure. Proclaim the person and finished work of Jesus Christ.

4. Christian Worldview and Scientology Comparison

Time: 10 Minutes

Ask participants to complete the following comparison together.

Discussion Questions

1. Which differences are philosophical?

2. Which differences are theological?

3. Which shared words require the most careful definition?

4. Why should Christians avoid claiming to be religiously neutral?

5. How can the team affirm that creation is real without claiming exhaustive knowledge?

6. Why must the gospel remain centered on Jesus rather than on religious techniques?

Christian Philosophical Clarification

Christians do not claim to stand above all religious commitments.

Christian thinking begins with faith in the Triune God revealed in Scripture. Scientology also interprets reality through foundational religious commitments.

The ministry conversation is therefore not between a religious Scientologist and a neutral Christian.

It is a respectful comparison between different religious understandings of reality.

Leadership Principle

Disclose the Christian starting point honestly and compare worldviews without pretending to be neutral.

5. Team Scenario and Conversation Practice

Time: 10 Minutes

Scenario

Grace Harbor Baptist Church is hosting a neighborhood meal. The church is openly identified as a Baptist church plant.

A visitor says:

“I believe in God, Jesus, spiritual transformation, salvation, and eternal life. I think Scientology and Christianity are different methods for reaching the same goal.”

The visitor is friendly and appears genuinely interested in conversation.

Team Assignment

Work in groups of two or three.

One person plays the visitor.

One person plays a Grace Harbor team member.

A third person may observe and give feedback.

Required Conversation Pattern

Step 1: Acknowledge

Recognize the shared vocabulary without assuming shared meaning.

Example:

“We do use several of the same words.”

Step 2: Clarify

Ask the visitor to define one term.

Example:

“When you use the word salvation, what does that mean to you?”

Step 3: Listen

Do not interrupt or immediately correct.

Step 4: Disclose

State the Christian standpoint honestly.

Example:

“I am approaching this as a Baptist Christian who believes God has revealed himself through Scripture and Jesus Christ.”

Step 5: Compare

Identify one meaningful difference.

Example:

“Christianity teaches that salvation is God’s gift through Christ rather than something we achieve through spiritual advancement.”

Step 6: Ask Permission

Example:

“May I briefly explain why the cross and resurrection are central to the Christian understanding of salvation?”

Step 7: Invite

Example:

“Would you be interested in reading the Gospel of John together and discussing what it says about Jesus?”

Observer Checklist

Did the team member:

☐ acknowledge the shared vocabulary?

☐ ask for a definition?

☐ listen without ridicule?

☐ identify the Christian standpoint?

☐ present Jesus clearly?

☐ avoid treating Christianity as spiritual technology?

☐ ask permission?

☐ protect the visitor’s freedom to disagree?

☐ avoid pressuring an immediate decision?

Group Debrief

What part of the conversation felt natural?

What part was difficult?

Which religious term needed the most clarification?

Did the Christian explanation remain centered on Jesus?

6. Local Church-Planting Application

Time: 10 Minutes

Grace Harbor Baptist Church must decide how Topic 8 will shape its public ministry.

Discuss the following questions.

Transparent Christian Identity

1. How will Grace Harbor clearly identify itself as a Baptist Christian church?

2. How can the church avoid hidden evangelistic methods?

3. What should public materials say about the church’s beliefs and purpose?

Notes:

Sponsoring-Church Accountability

1. What theological questions should be reviewed by First Covenant Baptist Church?

2. How will the sponsoring church review outreach training?

3. Who will respond when difficult pastoral, legal, safety, or mental-health concerns arise?

Notes:

Shared Vocabulary Training

Which terms should every volunteer be prepared to define?

☐ God
☐ thetan
☐ spirit
☐ human person
☐ body
☐ Jesus
☐ sin
☐ salvation
☐ grace
☐ spiritual transformation
☐ Holy Spirit
☐ church
☐ resurrection
☐ eternal life
☐ new creation

Choose three terms for the next volunteer-training session:

Public Gospel Presentation

Complete this short explanation together:

Christianity begins with ____________________________________.

Human beings were created _________________________________.

Humanity’s deepest problem is ______________________________.

Jesus Christ is ___________________________________________.

Through his cross, Jesus __________________________________.

Through his resurrection, Jesus _____________________________.

Salvation is received _____________________________________.

The Holy Spirit __________________________________________.

The church ______________________________________________.

The final Christian hope is _________________________________.

Ministry Safeguards

Grace Harbor’s team will not:

• hide its Christian identity

• mock Scientologists

• pressure religious change

• conduct covert investigation

• seek confidential Scientology information

• use former members as promotional trophies

• diagnose people

• practice deprogramming

• present itself as a counseling clinic

• treat conversion numbers as the primary measure of faithfulness

Grace Harbor’s team will:

• listen carefully

• define terms

• ask permission

• present Christ clearly

• protect privacy

• offer Christian friendship

• maintain church accountability

• refer professional concerns appropriately

• trust the Holy Spirit with the outcome

Leadership Principle

A faithful church plant is measured by truthful witness, neighbor love, sound doctrine, accountable ministry, and trust in the Holy Spirit—not merely by immediate visible results.

7. Commitment and Closing Prayer

Time: 5 Minutes

Team Commitment

Read the following statement aloud together:

We confess the Triune God as Creator, Redeemer, and Lord. We acknowledge that we do not approach ministry from a religiously neutral position. We will openly identify ourselves as followers of Jesus Christ and members of a Baptist church.

We will treat Scientologists as neighbors and image-bearers. We will listen before answering, define shared words carefully, and represent Scientology accurately.

We will proclaim Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God who became flesh, died for sinners, and rose bodily from the dead. We will present salvation as God’s gift of grace rather than human spiritual advancement.

We will depend upon the Holy Spirit, serve through accountable Christian community, protect freedom of conscience, and invite people without pressure.

We will trust God with the outcome.

Personal Action Step

Write one action you will take before the next church-planting team meeting.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank you for creating all things through your Son and sustaining them by your power. Forgive us when we trust our own ability, reasoning, methods, or results more than we trust you.

Lord Jesus Christ, help us proclaim your incarnation, cross, and bodily resurrection clearly. Keep us from reducing the gospel to a technique, argument, or program.

Holy Spirit, give new life, produce Christlike character, guide our church, and prepare the hearts of those we meet. Teach us to speak truthfully, listen patiently, and invite without pressure.

Bless Grace Harbor Baptist Church and First Covenant Baptist Church. Give their leaders wisdom, accountability, unity, courage, and love. Make this church plant a transparent and faithful Christian presence in its community.

We entrust every conversation and every person to you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Final Ministry Principle

Christian outreach presents the whole biblical story: the Triune God created embodied image-bearers, humanity turned from the Creator, the Son became flesh and died for sinners, Christ rose bodily, the Holy Spirit gives new life, the church forms a grace-centered community, and God will raise the dead and renew creation.