Answer the following question in the quiz.

• What is the contemporary ethical issue, theme or question you will be exploring?
• What makes this an ethical issue for Christians?

Define the key elements of Christian ethics as they relate to your issue: (1) the action (2) a person’s attitudes about the action, (3) the person’s motives for doing the action, and (4) the results of the action.

Here is an example for abortion:

(1) the action itself – Is the action itself contrary to what the Bible says? Abortion- Do not murder

(2) a person’s attitudes about the action- Because the Bible doesn’t address abortion, does this mean it’s not murder by God’s standards? Do they believe that God has a plan for everything even unwanted pregnancies? Have they had sex outside of marriage to conceive the baby- two wrongs don’t make a right, do they believe that the baby is a life, or do they value what the world defines as life over what the Bible says?

(3) the person’s motives for doing the action- Is the person wanting to abort the baby because it makes life easier for them or are they considering the baby ahead of themselves? Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and love others before yourself

(4) the results of the action- The result of the action is the baby dies, the mother might suffer physically and emotionally as a result of aborting the baby.

• Why did you choose this theme or question? How does it connect to your Christian walk or personal like?
• What is your personal faith opinion about this topic?
• Ask at least 4 other CMT students to write a statement about what they think about your theme or question. Put peer statements in the textbox below.
• Consult with your Discipleship Group Teacher, your Mentor, or your Ministry Placement and share ideas on the different types of questions, style of questioning, and applicable problem-solving techniques for your theme or question. Record this information here.
• Make a list of relevant questions/ points for discussion and debate resulting from the discussion with your Discipleship Group Teacher, your Mentor, or your Ministry Placement Supervisor.
• Research and record what other religious groups think about your theme or topic.
• Research and record what your Christian community thinks about this theme or question. You can research online or ask a leader at church.
• What does the Bible say about your theme or question?
  • Locate at least 3 relevant passages from the Old and New Testament passages that are relevant to your theme or question. List them, referencing them correctly.
  • Describe how each passage is relevant to your theme or question.

At least three relevant Bible Passages for OT & NT	Describe how each passage is relevant to your theme or question.
1. Genesis 17: The whole chapter, particularly verse 7	The relevance of this passage is because the covenant of circumcision is made to all of Abraham’s descendants, not just believers

• Describe key terms (important words or concepts) relating to your theme or issue.
• Summarise the key ideas (most important or central idea) your theme or issue.
• Who are the key contributors (theologians, Christian scholars) central to this theme or question? What is their view about this theme or question?
• Identify at least three different and opposing views on your theme or question. Look for reputable opinions.
  1. Who is the person or group? 
  2. Reference these source below
  3. Outline each opposing view

At least 3 cited resources	Outline each opposing view
Example: View 1: Jes Kast, a minister in the United Church of Christ	When asked the following question “what do you think is the Christian theological argument for abortion?” Answered the following “When people talk about “Our body is a temple of God, and holy,” I see that as I have the right to choices over my body, and the freedom to make the decisions that are right for me. In Genesis, it says that God breathed God’s spirit into our lives—Christians would say “the Holy Spirit.” Because of that, we’re not puppets controlled by God. Because of the image of God in us, we have freedom. That’s what’s really clear to me, is freedom. There’s this little passage in the Gospel of John that continues to stay with me. Jesus says, “I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly.” The Greek word that’s used there for “life abundance” is this word zoe, which means not just that you’re living and breathing, but that God’s plan for our lives is to actually have a meaningful life with loving contentment and satisfaction. Because of that—because I value life, and I believe Jesus values life—I value the choices that give us the type of life that we need.”

• What are the implications (positive or negative) for a person or group for each opposing view?
• Use examples to demonstrate the impact on a person or group for each opposing view.
• What do other Christian sources say about my theme or question? Using at least three different Christian resources (Bible, internet, book, article, video, person) research your theme or question. Reference the Christian sources.
• For each resource, record what information or insight you gain and comment briefly on its relevance to your theme or question.

Here are examples:

1. Book: Author & Title. Example: Book – Reformation Questions, Reformation Answers: 95 Key Events, People, and Issues by Donald K. McKim
2. Article: Title, Author, and Website. Example: Article – A Brief Defense of Infant Baptism https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/a-brief-defense-of-infant-baptism/
3. YouTube Clip: Title, Author, and Website. Example: YouTube Clip – Is infant baptism Biblical? by Bryan Wolfmueller. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZurA93_jNdc

At least 3 cited resources	For each resource, record what information or insight you gain and comment briefly on its relevance to your theme or question.
Example: 1. Book – Talking Points: Abortion by Dr Lizzie Ling and Vaugh Roberts.	This book outlines some key biblically support for how a Christian should think about the topic of abortion and they can communicate this to others in a compassionate and wise manner because this can be a complex issue, particularly in certain circumstance.
Example: 2. Article – What the Bible says about Abortion by Paul O’Rourke https://www.eternitynews.com.au/opinion/what-the-bible-says-about-abortion/	This gave me a different perspective that focused on both the Old and the New Testament and gives Bible verses to support.
Example: 3. YouTube Clip – Abortion is MURDER!! A Christian Perspective by Seeker & Servant   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnFOsy5UMxg	This resource is relevant because it gave a different. But honest opinion about abortion being viewed as murder,

• Seek Mentor, Ministry Placement, Discipleship Group members, and teacher advice on how to structure questions when interviewing your qualified person? Write any notes below.
• Develop questions to ask qualified people about your topic to consolidate your knowledge about this theme or question. List the questions that you will ask below.
• Consult at least three other people that you know that are qualified to speak about your theme or questions. Record their responses to your question here.
  • Record who they are and their position.
  • Summarise what their theological thoughts about your theme or question are.
  • Comment on the relevance of any insights that you gained from each conversation.

At least three you spoke to and their position	1. Summarise what their theological thoughts about your theme or question are. 2. Comment on the relevance of any insights that you gained from each conversation.
2. Glenn Dillon (Youth & Maturity Pastor)-	This conversation gave me insight into what my local church thought about this topic and it also pointed me towards so different passages that could be applied to this topic because abortion is not specifically mentioned in the Bible.

• Provide a basic outline of your presentation. Prepare the main points from all of your research and outline how you will present this to the class. What material will your share about your theme or question? What will you include in your presentation from the referenced sources?
• What insights have you gained through this process that has changed your thinking about this theme or question?