1Peter 3:15 (NASB has the verse broken down well) “But” points to the context of the passage 13-14 “But sanctify Christ as lord in your heart” Apologetics begins in the heart where Christ has lordship. If this is not a spiritual discipline I am not sure what is. “Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give and account for the hope that is in you” Always being ready - preparation this is why you bring apologetics into youth ministry. Equipping. To make a defense - (ἀπολογία apŏlŏgia) argument, explanation, plea, answer. Courtroom setting - think Socrates Ideas on trial - we may not be in a courtroom giving answers for why we are Christians, but ideas are on trial in our culture. “Gentleness and respect” We have set apologetics in the context of cancel-culture and social media. A very antagonistic environment where it is easy to mute conversation. Apologetics is often set in the context of argument and from a “modern” approach this makes sense. But this can make apologetics seem like its goal is aggressive, or antagonistic when it is anything but that. Everyone regardless of beliefs is struggling to make sense of this world and we as Christians are in a position to bring hope. As an apologist my goal is to bring hope to a world that is hopeless, not get into and win arguments. Apologetics is a spiritual discipline in that the goal is transformation. Not only for ourselves but for our communities. Bringing people hope by pointing them to Jesus is the way that transformation takes place. Thanks for checking out this podcast!