📘 Let’s Be Honest — Resource Guide

Dates: June 28 – August 9, 2026

Subtitle: Examining the Religions of Our World

Key Passages: John 14:6 • Matthew 7:1–23 • Matthew 11:28–30

Formation Practice | Thoughtful Witness

Followers of Jesus are called to speak the truth with both conviction and compassion.

Throughout this series, practice becoming the kind of person who listens before speaking, asks before assuming, and loves people without compromising the Gospel.

Each week…

• Learn something new before forming an opinion.
  
  
• Ask one genuine question before offering one answer.
  
  
• Pray for someone from a different faith or worldview.
  
  
• Remember that every conversation is with a person—not an argument.

Series Synopsis

Religion has always tried to answer humanity’s biggest questions.

Who is God?

Why do we suffer?

How are we made right?

What happens after we die?

Nearly every major worldview recognizes something is broken about the human condition. Where they differ is in the solution. Most religions offer a ladder. They invite us to climb through obedience, enlightenment, ritual, morality, or effort. The Gospel tells a different story. God climbed down.

Throughout this series we’ll honestly examine some of the world’s largest religious traditions—not to mock them or reduce them to stereotypes—but to understand them respectfully, appreciate the people who hold them, and discover with greater clarity why Christians believe Jesus is unlike anyone else.

Our goal isn’t simply to become more informed; it’s to become more faithful, more humble, and more thoughtful witnesses in an increasingly diverse world.

🧭 Series Roadmap

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June 28

Judaism

The Law reveals our need; Jesus fulfills what the Law could never accomplish.

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July 5

Islam

Jesus replaces uncertainty with assurance.

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July 12

Buddhism

Jesus doesn’t remove desire—He rightly orders it.

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July 19

Mormonism

Grace isn’t added to our effort; grace replaces our effort.

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July 26

Catholicism

We build on Christ’s finished work, not our ability to maintain it.

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August 2

The “Good Person”

Being known by Jesus matters more than being good enough.

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August 9

The Gospel

Every ladder ends at the Cross, where Jesus declares, “It is finished.”

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📚 Recommended Reading

Christianity & World Religions

• Kingdom of the Cults — Walter Martin
  
  
• So What’s the Difference? — Fritz Ridenour
  
  
• The Reason for God — Timothy Keller
  
  
• The Case for Christ — Lee Strobel
  
  
• The Hebrew-Christian Messiah — Arnold Fruchtenbaum
  
  
• For the Love of God’s Word — Tremper Longman III  

Understanding Your Neighbor

• The Chosen — Chaim Potok
  
  
• Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus — Nabeel Qureshi
  
  
• Mere Christianity — C.S. Lewis

🎧 Podcasts & Messages

• BibleProject Podcast
  
  
• The Holy Post
  
  
• Thinking Christian
  
  
• The Bible for Normal People (listen thoughtfully, not uncritically)

🌐 Websites

• BibleProject Free videos, podcasts, articles, and Bible studies that help readers understand the Bible’s unified story and the person of Jesus.
  
  
• GotQuestions A large library of biblical and theological questions answered from an evangelical Christian perspective, including many articles comparing Christianity with other world religions.
  
  
• The Veritas Forum University-based conversations bringing together Christian thinkers and scholars to discuss life’s biggest questions with intellectual honesty and respect.
  
  
• Center for Faith & Culture Thoughtful articles and resources exploring Christianity’s interaction with culture, worldview, ethics, and neighboring belief systems.
  
  
• Jews for Jesus A Messianic Jewish ministry offering resources that explain how Jewish faith and belief in Jesus relate, along with articles on Jewish traditions and messianic prophecy.

🧠 Key Concepts & Practices

Curiosity Before Conclusions

Don’t assume someone’s beliefs. Ask.

Conviction Without Contempt

You can disagree deeply while loving sincerely.

Understand Before You Evaluate

Represent another person’s beliefs the way they would represent themselves.

Truth and Grace Belong Together

Jesus never sacrificed truth to become loving. He never sacrificed love to tell the truth.

Every Person Bears God’s Image

Before someone belongs to a religion…Before someone adopts a worldview… They are a person made in the image of God.

Helpful Questions

Instead of saying…

“Here’s why you’re wrong…”

Try asking…

• What does your faith mean to you?
  
  
• How did you come to believe that?
  
  
• What gives you hope?
  
  
• How does your faith deal with guilt?
  
  
• How do you know you’ve done enough?
  
  
• What do you think happens after death?

These questions create conversations instead of debates.

🙌 Community & Next Steps

• Invite someone from another faith tradition to coffee.
  
  
• Read one chapter of a recommended book.
  
  
• Pray daily for someone who doesn’t know Jesus.
  
  
• Practice explaining the Gospel in under three minutes and how it has shaped your life.

Weekly Challenge

This week I will replace one assumption with one conversation.

✍️ Reflection & Prayer Prompts

• Which religion or worldview do I understand the least?
  
  
• What assumptions have I made about people from another faith?
  
  
• Am I more interested in winning arguments or loving people?
  
  
• How has this week’s message deepened my appreciation for Jesus?
  
  
• Where do I need greater humility as a witness?

Prayer

Jesus, Thank you for coming down to us when we could never climb up to You. Give us hearts that are both courageous and compassionate. Help us love our neighbors enough to understand them before we speak. Protect us from pride, fear, and caricature. Fill us with humility, wisdom, and grace so that every conversation reflects both your truth and your love. May people encounter not merely better arguments through us, but a better Savior. Amen.

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