In this powerful episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with Zia Hassan, a former Sunni Muslim born in Pakistan who spent over five decades faithfully practicing Islam. After moving to the United States in the early 1980s and building a successful life as a restaurant executive, husband, and father, Zia experienced a profound transformation in 2004—one that would lead him to explore the Christian faith of his ancestors.

Zia shares his remarkable story of how a life-changing moment sparked a spiritual journey toward Jesus Christ, ultimately leading him to embrace a new faith. Now a devoted follower of Christ and active member of Church360 in Grand Prairie, Zia opens up about the challenges, revelations, and deep peace he's found along the way.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about courage, conviction, and the simple yet profound power of faith.

Sustaining Relational Apologetics: The Long View of Influence

In the grand finale of the five-part journey into Relational Apologetics on the Simple Faith Podcast, host Rusty George looks into how to sustain a relational approach to faith as a way of life. He recaps the series' highlights, emphasizing building genuine human connections, listening with empathy, and creating a loving community. Through personal stories and practical advice, Rusty illustrates that true faith isn't built on winning arguments but on meaningful relationships and long-term perseverance. Join us to learn the art of nurturing relational apologetics effectively in your daily life.

00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith
00:20 Recap of Relational Apologetics Series
00:41 Sustaining Relational Apologetics
01:57 Challenges of Relationships
03:42 The Importance of Patience and Perseverance
04:18 A Personal Testimony
06:48 The Power of Community
07:56 Living Out Relational Apologetics
10:41 The Long View of Influence
12:24 Conclusion and Encouragement
13:35 Closing Remarks

Navigating Objections & Questions

Join Rusty George in episode four of the 'Relational Apologetics' series as he delves into the challenges of objections and difficult questions in relational apologetics. This episode shows the importance of viewing objections as opportunities for deeper engagement rather than signs of rejection. Rusty highlights strategies such as empathetic listening, asking clarifying questions, and building personal connections to foster meaningful conversations about faith. Reflect on practical ways to show respect and empathy while navigating intellectual, emotional, and practical objections, and prepare to explore the long-term approach of relational faith in the upcoming final episode.

00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith
00:20 Recap of Previous Episodes
00:38 Addressing Objections in Faith Conversations
01:31 The Power of Questions and Empathy
07:52 The Role of Personal Stories and Testimonies
09:20 Dealing with Intellectual and Emotional Objections
10:30 Maintaining Relationships Despite Differences
11:20 Reflecting on Our Approach to Objections
12:14 Looking Ahead to the Final Episode
12:46 Conclusion and Resources

Building Bridges: Finding Common Ground in Relational Apologetics

In this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George discusses the vital role of finding common ground in a diverse world as part of relational apologetics. Key points include the significance of shared human longings, bridging cultural and political divides, and using pop culture references for meaningful discussions. Rusty emphasizes the importance of listening, understanding other perspectives, and sharing personal faith stories to create connections without compromising core Christian beliefs. The episode also touches on historical examples like St. Patrick’s use of symbols to communicate the gospel and explores the balance needed to address theological differences respectfully.

00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith
00:36 The Importance of Finding Common Ground
01:43 Shared Human Longings as Bridges
05:30 The Role of Cultural References
08:54 The Power of Personal Stories
12:18 Understanding Other Perspectives
14:33 Conclusion and Next Steps

This week at Church360, we continue in our series “You Asked For It” by answering the question, “How do I know I am forgiven?”. Rusty walks us through the freedom found in Jesus from our sin. Tune in today!

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute with Rusty! Have a minute of free time on your drive? Listen in for some encouragement!

Developing the Empathetic Ear: Listening with Heart in Relational Apologetics

In this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George delves into the second installment of a five-part miniseries on relational apologetics. This episode emphasizes the importance of developing the empathetic ear, learning to truly hear the heart behind people's questions and objections about faith. Rusty and his guests explore stories and practical strategies for effective listening, including the wisdom of Jesus' interactions, insights from negotiation experts, and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding conversations. Tune in to discover how empathetic listening can create meaningful connections and open doors for sharing the gospel.

00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith
00:35 Developing the Empathetic Ear
03:46 The Power of Listening: A Story from Venezuela
07:13 Emptying the Bucket: Simon Sinek's Approach
08:57 Asking Good Questions in Relational Apologetics
12:20 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Community
17:29 Preparing the Ground for the Gospel
18:42 Conclusion and Next Steps

https://pastorrustygeorge.com/

Books by Rusty George:

• Friend of God: Letting Jesus Say Who You Really Are
• 40 Days to Easter: A Journey of Reflection and Renewal
• After Amen
• Justice. Mercy. Humility: A Simple Path to Following Jesus

Listen in to Week One of our new series, "You Asked for It" where we answer questions YOU have asked! This week, tune in as we answer the question, "How can we trust the resurrection?". Join us as we hear from guest speaker J. Warner Wallace, a cold case detective who sought to disprove Christianity but instead did just the opposite. This is a week you don't want to miss!

Relational Apologetics: Connecting Through Community

In this special five-part series from Simple Faith, we explore the concept of relational apologetics as an alternative to traditional approaches that can feel argumentative and challenging. Rusty George discusses how genuine human connection and community can make sharing your faith more approachable and effective. By examining historical and modern methods of evangelism, featuring insights from experts, and sharing real-life examples, this series redefines evangelism for those who feel uncomfortable with conventional apologetics. Discover how cultivating trust and understanding can create fertile ground for faith to flourish and make sharing your beliefs a more collective and less daunting endeavor.

00:00 Introduction to Apologetics
01:47 The Challenge of Sharing Faith
03:24 Relational Apologetics: A New Approach
03:47 Historical Perspectives on Evangelism
04:47 The Celtic Model of Community
08:00 Modern Applications of Relational Apologetics
09:12 Personal Stories of Faith Sharing
11:03 The Power of Christian Community
12:03 Balancing Connection and Truth
14:12 The Strategic Imperative of Connection
14:49 The Parables of Lost Things
16:15 Conclusion and Key Questions

Interview Series with George Hunter - https://bit.ly/4cTnyRm
Interview with Greg Koukl - https://bit.ly/3YaWU0e

The weekly Monday Minute is here! Tune in to hear some encouragement from Rusty as you begin your week!