Living In Truth

by Mary Jo Sharp (Contributor)

We’re becoming a culture that says there is no truth to be found about God. We also think that tolerance is about accepting every view as equally true but, realistically, with an exception excluding the Christian faith. Christians are rapidly becoming the target of secular media and aggressive atheist propaganda, marginalizing not just Christian beliefs, but also Christian people.

False ideas within the body of Christ and the influence of culture crack our foundation of faith. Many women need to go back to the basis of their beliefs and strengthen confidence in their beliefs and in God. The goal of this study is to help every Christian effectively converse on truth by following basic steps: 1) See the need for these conversations, 2) Know what you believe, 3) Listen to discover the cultural view, 4) Learn to ask questions, 5) Respond to false beliefs, and 6) Engage in a lifestyle of total truth.

Genres: Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2015

About the author

A former atheist who came to faith, Mary Jo Sharp has experienced two worlds of American culture: the post-Christian culture of the Pacific Northwest and the evangelical culture of the Bible Belt. She first encountered apologetics in her own spiritual search while seeking answers. Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry. She has been featured in Christianity Today’s cover story “The Unexpected Defenders” and is an international speaker on apologetics, focusing on love and logic to uncover truth.

She serves on faculty with Summit Ministries Student Conferences, and is a guest lecturer with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Mary Jo is a published author with Kregel Publications, B&H Publications, and Zondervan. She is the author of the top-selling Bible study, “Why Do You Believe That?” as well as Living in Truth with LifeWay Christian Resources. She recently released her book Why I Still Believe. A clear communicator with a heart for people, Mary Jo finds great joy in sharing the deep truths of her Lord and Savior.

Mary Jo is also the founder of Confident Christianity, a Christian apologetics ministry that addresses the hard questions of Christianity through research, writing, training and debate.

She lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good study. It was written in a very academic style, though. You can certainly tell that she is a professor. Some of the segments were challenging to get through because I felt like she was looking for a particular answer that my brain couldn't seem to pinpoint. I did find the overwhelming majority of the material relevant and thought-provoking. This is a good study if you're up for an intellectual challenge, and I do think that I will return to this book for reference in the future because some of the study segments were practical for real life conversations. Also, some of the external source material she referred to might be some reading I may be interested in at some point.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating study. I would encourage anyone wanting to engage in thought provoking conversations about Christianity to read this. It’s not an easy read, with lots of information. It gave me a new way of thinking and desire to speak out and ask more questions.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Bible study book and for getting confidence to talk to others about Jesus

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different than "Why Do I believe that?" More general than the other Sharp study, but very good overall. Unusual audience: women's conversational apologetics, but heavily needed and I wish there were more bible studies for women in apologetics, or more bible studies in conversational apologetics. Sharp draws on a real need in the Christian community; one that most people don't realize and undervalue: as Christians we need to defend why we believe in God and not do it in an angry, unreasonable way. She points out the differences in objective and subjective truths, which is sorely needed in today's American culture. We need to give a reason for the hope that is within us. This is a great and helpful bible study for women of all ages and backgrounds. I recommend this and her other bible study.

[Suzi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, loved this study! Mary Jo did a wonderful job combining logic and apologetics to help understand the need for Truth in today's culture, how to develop conversations and work against the sacred/secular split. However, I wish this wasn't under "Women's Bible Study" as it is so relevant to ANY Christian! I actually did this study together with my teen son. We had some fantastic conversations. He really enjoyed it and found it to be very helpful. I think it would be a fantastic study for teens and/or college students...it's just so important, especially for that age group. I highly recommend for ANYONE!

[Toni L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our ladies group used this study and loved it!

[Carlisle Davidhizar]

Officially abandoning this one. Too much law, not enough grace