• What is the definition of apologetics? By definition, what must apologetics include? What does it exclude? Why do we say that holiness is not a part of apologetics as such?

• Why do the unbelievers say that actions speak louder than words, and why are they wrong about this? But why do so many believers accept this absurd idea?

• Preacher frequently say, "If you do not practice what you preach, then no one will believe you when you preach the gospel?" Why is this statement false? Why does it even amount to an attack on God, his Spirit, and the gospel? How does this teaching grant unbiblical warrant to the non-Christians to blaspheme the Lord and remain in their unbelief?

• Then, some Christians assert, "We should not argue with people. We should just preach the gospel and then let our actions bear witness to its truth." But if someone is allegedly prevented from faith because of his belief in evolution, how is our holy conduct going to overcome this? Is it even relevant, or is the relevance clear?

• List some of the biblical passages that have been construed to support the idea that actions speak louder than words, or that they speak at all. What are the popular interpretations and applications of these passages, and why are they mistaken? Read them in context. They certainly teach that holy living is important. But do they teach that our holy living replaces proclamation – if holiness speaks and speaks louder, then it should render preaching unnecessary – or is proclamation so necessary that it is always assumed? The content of proclamation is what defines and judges our actions in the first place.

• If holiness is not an integral or necessary part of apologetics, does it have anything to do with apologetics at all? If so, what is its role? How does holiness contribute to evangelism and apologetics?

• Are hypocrites always wrong in what they affirm? If a person affirms "1 + 1 = 2" but does not act like this is true, then are we to reject the math? Likewise, if hypocrites affirm and preach the gospel, do they discredit the gospel? How are the two things even relevant to each other? Or is the truth of the gospel dependent on man instead of on God?

• It is likely that some people will misunderstand and think that we are undermining the importance of walking in holiness, or ignoring the biblical teaching on providing a model of godly example before Christians and non-Christians. But is this what we are doing? How does this accusation miss the point? And what is our point?

• When you hear of a church scandal, or news that a church leader has fallen into sin, what thoughts and feelings arise from within you? Are these thoughts and feelings biblical and rational? Does the Bible teach that these things will never happen, so that when they do, they undermine Christianity? But if the Bible says that we should expect these things, then why is it a problem when they happen?

• Sometimes the blame is even more irrelevant, or at least irrelevant in other ways. Catholic priests are exposed, and the revenue in Baptist churches would fall. A scandal breaks out with a Charismatic leader, and Presbyterian churches suffer in attendance. A problem occurs with a church down the street, and members of another congregation stops giving to their own church. Why does this happen? What is wrong with the people? Should we work on eliminating hypocrisy, or condemning irrational and sinful reactions against hypocrisy? I suggest that we should do both. Do you agree?

• But just because our moral failures give no excuse to the unbelievers does not mean that we are in turn excused when we cause others to stumble. We acknowledge what the Bible teaches on the subject, but stop short of making unwarranted inferences from it. Have you ever contributed to another person's spiritual stumbling? What does the Bible say about that?

• What temptations do you face as a student? List some of the most prominent ones. How do you deal with them? Do you frequently succumb? Why? What can you do about them? How do your Christian friends deal with them? Do you put yourself in situations where these temptations occur?

• What are some of the neglected sins that frequently occur? The chapter mentions sinful speech. Do you often sin in how you speak and what you say? Give examples, and consider ways to overcome sinful patterns.

• What about sexual integrity and dating in the university? Is dating biblical? What is dating? Do you only date someone you plan to marry? If not, you are deliberately pursuing a temporary romantic relationship with someone else's future spouse. Does this change how you approach the situation?

• Much of the inefficiencies in the office environment are caused by slothful and incompetent people, who have carried over these characteristics from their lives as students. Note the poor work ethic and incompetence of your peers, especially as you work on group projects. How do you deal with problem partners now? Consider what it means to have a godly work ethic. List details and examples.

• Do you think that Christianity is prudish, or can it be fun? Fun according to what standard? And is this how the Bible describe Christianity? Is it more biblical to make our faith appear consistent with the non-Christian standard of fun, or to condemn the non-Christian standard of fun? What does the Bible do in this regard? What do Christians tend to do today? Why do they do it?

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