I received an email from a high school student who was interested in becoming a Christian apologist but didn’t know where to start. Below are the links I compiled for him. (A few of my suggestions apply specifically to his age group, but most are not age dependent.)
Greg has given advice to aspiring apologists a few times on the podcast—most recently, here (listen at 00:43), and we have posts covering various aspects of this topic:
- Bloom Where You’re Planted
- You Want to Be a Good Apologist?
- Strengthen the Basics
- Tips for Memorizing a Book of the Bible
- A Plan to Begin a Year of Learning
- Advice on Becoming an Apologetics Speaker
- CrossExamined Instructor Academy
- Five Apologetics Questions You Need to Think Through
- Ambassador Model and Ambassador’s Creed
In addition, we highly recommend you get some in-depth training in worldview and apologetics, and if you’re a high school student, there are some great options open to you! Here are a few programs we recommend:
- reTHINK Student Apologetics Conferences
- Summit Student Conferences (two weeks)
- Impact 360 Propel (one week)
- Impact 360 Immersion (two weeks)
- Impact 360 Gap Year (nine months)
- Biola’s Online Certificate Program in Christian Apologetics (not specifically for high school students, but open to them)
Keep learning and growing! Whatever you do, stay in close fellowship with Christians in your church, guard your character, rest in the Gospel, and keep your eyes on Jesus:
- Do You Convey a Sense of the Reality, Centrality, and Desirability of Jesus with Your Apologetics?
- Only One Thing Will Keep You Going
- What You’ll Need Most to Continue to Engage Atheists
- Be a Parable of God’s Grace
- Use Your Knowledge to Serve Others, Not Judge Them
- How Much Would You Pay for Integrity?
- A Warning to Apologists about Sin
- Free to Say We’ve Sinned
- Humility Is Needed to See Jesus
Most importantly, think, think, think about the Gospel. Saturate yourself with it. Let it shape you and your ministry:
- Look and Live: Behold the Soul-Thrilling, Sin-Destroying Glory of Christ
- Gospel Deeps: Reveling in the Excellencies of Jesus
A final note: The two biggest mistakes I see being made by people who aspire to be in the apologetics world are these: neglecting theology (particularly regarding Christ and the Gospel) and neglecting fellowship in a local church. If you want to protect your soul, persevere in your work, and keep Jesus central in all your teaching, then pursue theology and face-to-face fellowship intentionally and tenaciously.