Activities / Publications

Open Forum The Open Forum is a gathering of friends for the purpose of interacting on significant life and God issues. Normally, it takes place in a home or convenient daytime location for business and professional people and lasts for four weeks where the guests enjoy eating, meeting each other, laughing and sharing their thoughts. It is an authentic, stimulating discussion about basic life issues, not a Bible study, lecture series, or theological debate

The objective is to create a safe atmosphere in which people can examine their philosophy of life. Many people have never carefully evaluated their beliefs or been able to have open dialogue with others on the subject, and the Open Forum provides a comfortable environment for just this kind of meaningful interaction.

Search sets up several guidelines to ensure a stimulating dialogue that is comfortable, affirming, and challenging. Three promises are reviewed at the beginning of each discussion.  The forum is a group discussion, not a debate or a lecture, and no one person or viewpoint will dominate.  The discussion is limited to one hour, to respect the time of the people who come. Informal conversations often continue afterwards.

If and when appropriate, the Bible’s perspective on a topic will be offered as one of the opinions to be considered.

Apologetics – IGYA & Questions

I'm Glad You Asked: This is Search's original resource, written to provide believers and seekers alike with answers to the tough questions most people ask about Christianity - questions such as: How can there be a good God with all the suffering in the world?; or, Isn't religion just another psychological crutch? The text guides you logically through these questions with helpful flow charts and practical illustrations. It shows how each objection is really an opportunity for meaningful communication and dialogue.

Questions is designed to be used with the book I'm Glad You Asked. Questions is a twelve-lesson course designed to equip the believer with solid, biblical answers to tough questions. The material can be covered in 12-20 weeks. Each lesson is devoted to a question friends might pose in their attempt to make sense out of life and God. Some of the questions addressed in this study are: "How can a good God allow evil and suffering?" and "How can Jesus be the only way to God?" The end result will be a new sense of confidence and competence to communicate the eternal message of God's love in Jesus Christ.

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Apologetics – Search for Meaning

Life today is busy. And all too often, the demands of a hectic daily schedule keep us from pursuing answers to life's big questions. Such questions concern the very existence of God, whether belief in God is just a psychological crutch for weak people, why an all powerful God allows innocent people to suffer, does Heaven exist/how does one get there, and more. Even when we find the time to consider these vital issues, few people experience relationships where they can discuss such questions without fear of being judged or subjected to emotional responses. But Ft. Worth Search Area Director Bill Kraftson and USPA&IRA CEO Lamar Smith formed exactly that kind of friendship. This six-tape or six-CD set recreates many of the conversations Bill and Lamar shared on these issues and their interaction with hundreds of others. Both Bill and Lamar are committed to offering real evidence and logical responses, not simply dogma, emotionalism or a leap of faith. Honest seekers and doubters who want faith in God to make sense will find real help in these dialogues, as will those who desire to give reasons for their faith. Indeed, these tapes and CDs will interest all who want to build a solid basis for purpose, meaning, ethics, and personal priorities in life.

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The Search

The Search is an attractive, colorful booklet which takes the reader through a gospel presentation using the theme that everyone is in search of fulfillment. Beginning with God's Position, moving to Our Condition, presenting God's Provision, and ending with Our Decision, this pamphlet explains and illustrates the need for salvation in a clear, simple manner. The Search helps to make the responsibility of sharing one's faith an enjoyable reality.

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Beginnings

Whenever we begin a relationship, we have certain expectations about what is required of us and how we can best enjoy the relationship. The same is true when we consider a personal relationship with God. We are filled with questions about what God expects of us and what we can expect of Him. Beginnings is a three-lesson inductive Bible study designed to explore three commonly asked questions: "How do I gain acceptance with God?" "Can acceptance with God be earned?" and "Will God ever reject me?" It is an excellent tool for the seeker who is investigating Christianity.

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Connexions

There is nothing that will give freshness and vigor to the Christian life like seeing someone you love trust Christ. Unfortunately, for many Christians, evangelism is something they try to avoid. Connexions is designed to help change this. Through Bible study, group discussion, scripture memorization, supplemental reading, and practical application, Connexions challenges you to embrace the principles and practices of lifestyle evangelism. This twelve-week inductive study is ideal for use by small groups or Sunday school classes.

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Foundations / Leaders Guide

To help friends get started with God, Search has initiated and/or resourced thousands of small groups often beginning with the Foundations study.

Foundations is a study intended for small groups or one-on-one discipleship. Chapters include:

• How to begin a relationship with God
• How to grow in your relationship with God
• How to communicate with God through prayer
• How to listen to God through Bible reading and study
• How to invest the resources God has entrusted to us
• How to tell others about our relationship to God

We use Foundations as a transferable tool for learning and applying the basics of our faith in Christ. It is also an exploratory resource for those who are currently investigating the claims of Christ.

The Leader’s Guide was developed to assist a leader in the facilitation of a Foundations small group study. It is purposely designed with more information than you need to aide in study and preparation for leading.

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Common Ground

The Common Ground bulletin insert seeks to encourage the believer's desire to develop areas of common interest with those who have not yet experienced salvation through Christ. Common Ground equips believers with applicable Biblical perspectives to assist in comfortably and effectively encouraging others through their exploration of who God is.

Published twelve times a year, Common Ground is filled with helpful instructions on the principles of lifestyle evangelism as well as lots of ideas for building relationships on the basis of common ground. Issues are devoted to a variety of topics such as how to build bridges of friendship, start a spiritual conversation, answer difficult questions, share a personal testimony, present the gospel... and much more.

Common Ground is a very friendly and affordable single sheet that can be used as a bulletin insert, newsletter insert, or handout.

Chuck Swindoll
"Common Ground is more than just a church bulletin insert. This monthly publication offers practical, workable ideas for taking the message of God's love into the everyday world of car pools, 9-to-5 jobs, and next-door neighbors. Any pastor searching for creative ways to encourage outreach should consider using Common Ground."

Randall Faulkner, D. Min.
Metropolitan Baptist Church
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
"We use Common Ground to help cultivate an evangelistic mindset in our church. This is a very effective way for us to encourage our church members to develop relationships with their unchurched neighbors, and in the context of those relationships, share Christ's love."

Rev. Brent Brooks
South Potomac Church
White Plains, Maryland
"Over 30% of our congregation was previously unchurched. There is no doubt that Common Ground has been an effective tool in the hands of our people to help them reach their friends and families for Christ."

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