Four Pictures One Word

E

G Y P R I E M N XE J C E P

X P E R I E N C E

“I was walking along the banks of Loch Ness. Suddenly there was a tremendous commotion in the water and a green head appeared with loops behind it. The weather was good and the head and its loops swam nearer shore. I could see it clearly as well as the markings and the scales – it did not appear to be a model or manmade. I had not been drinking or taking drugs.

I had seen the Loch Ness Monster – I am now convinced of its existence no matter how much evidence there is against it because I have seen it.”

My Holiday Experience

My Holiday Experience

What questions would you like

to ask?

Do you believe my

story?

Don’t we usually rely on our senses

for knowledge?

Would you tell anyone if you had the same experience?

Religious Experience

Learning Objective:• To enquire into the concept of

Religious Experience.• To contextualise using the experience

of Ian McCormack.

By the end of the lesson...

I can give a definition of a religious experience.

I can give an example of one religious experience.

I have started thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of religious experiences as an argument for the existence of God.

What is a Religious Experience?

What do you think a religious experience is?

What is a Religious Experience?

• Awareness of having contact with an outside supreme divine being.• The experience is difficult to explain.• The experience is unique and individual.

• People feel a deep awareness and closeness to the divine. •The experience is positive and encouraging.• The effects of the experience are permanent and life changing.

What is a Religious Experience?Types of Religious Experiences...

VisionsMiracles

Conversion Sense of Awe and WonderDreams

Is this a religious experience?

Progress Check...

I can give a definition in my own words of a religious experience.

I can give an example of one religious experience.

I have started thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of religious experiences as an argument for the existence of God.

Ian McCormack - Before

Ian McCormack had been travelling in the Island of Mauritius and was stung by 5 box jellyfish.

His mother was a Christian but Ian himself was an atheist and did not believe in God.

Ian McCormack

One night while diving for lobster off the island of Mauritius, Ian McCormack was stung by five

deadly jellyfish. He was rushed to hospital but died for about

15-20 minutes. He then came back to life!

While Ian was dead, he had an amazing experience in which he met and talked to God.

Before being stung by the jellyfish, Ian McCormack had been an atheist (someone

who does not believe God exists). Immediately after his experience, Ian became a Christian, and now he travels the world sharing with

others the details of his amazing experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfrKaAMLdFY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvaKqtSH_9s&feature=related

Ian McCormack - After

I've been following Jesus ever since this experience in 1982. I am an

ordained minister with the Assembly Of God church here in New Zealand. I have worked with the head-hunters of Borneo and in refugee camps in

South East Asia. I have pastored churches and my wife and I have travelled to 24 different nations

sharing this testimony.

Ian McCormack’s Religious Experience

Before the music stops you need to write down...

• A short summary of Ian McCormack’s religious experience.

You have 3 minutes!!!

Progress Check...

I can give a definition in my own words of a religious experience.

I can give an example of one religious experience.

I have started thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of religious experiences as an argument for the existence of God.

What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience?

Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

Agree

Disagree

Ian McCormack truly believes this

experience happened and is convinced he encountered God.

What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience?

Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

Agree

Disagree

Ian McCormack made up this story

in order to be famous.

What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience?

Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

Agree

Disagree

This is a clear example of a

religious experience.

What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience?

Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

Agree

Disagree

There are other more likely

explanations of Ian McCormack’s experience.

What do you think about Ian McCormack’s Experience?

Do you agree or disagree with the statement?

Agree

Disagree

This experience can be used as

convincing proof of God’s existence.

What have you learnt this lesson?

I can give a definition in my own words of a religious experience.

I can give an example of one religious experience.

I have started thinking about the strengths and weaknesses of religious experiences as an argument for the existence of God.