Big Idea of Lesson 5
We live in an age of overload. Every day we’re hit with more information than previous generations saw in weeks or months—videos, podcasts, emails, hot takes, and viral opinions. If we try to reconstruct a biblical worldview without a plan, we’ll either shut down or get swept back into deconstruction.

Lesson 5 gives a 7–step game plan—a repeatable filter—to process complex topics (cultural issues, ethical questions, spiritual trends) in a way that is thoughtful, biblical, and emotionally honest. The goal is not just to “have opinions,” but to think like a Christian in a noisy world.

Step 1 – Start with First Principles: Learn to Think Clearly

The first step in filtering hard topics is clear thinking. Before we ask, “What should I believe?” we must ask, “Am I thinking logically?”

Lesson 5 revisits the basic “first principles” of logic:

1. Law of Non-Contradiction – A thing cannot be A and not A in the same way and at the same time.

• • Example: “God exists” and “God does not exist” cannot both be true.

1. Law of Identity – A thing is what it is.

• • A = A. A cat is a cat; it’s not a tree, a feeling, or an idea.

1. Law of Excluded Middle – A statement is either true or false; there is no middle truth-value in the same sense.

• • Either Jesus rose bodily from the dead, or He did not. Both cannot be true.

These principles flow from reality itself and ultimately from God’s own nature. Scripture assumes this kind of rational order: Jesus is the Logos (John 1:1), and in Him “all things hold together” (Col. 1:17).

Why it matters for reconstruction:

• It keeps us from “emotional reasoning” (basing truth on feelings).
• It protects us from cultural pressure, “my truth” relativism, and internal contradictions.
• It gives us a stable foundation to evaluate any claim, story, or teaching.

Step 2 – Reaffirm the Authority of God’s Word

After we commit to thinking clearly, we must decide who gets the final word. For the Christian, that authority is Scripture.

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 says Scripture is God-breathed and equips us for “every good work.”
• Hebrews 4:12 says God’s Word discerns our thoughts and intentions.
• Isaiah 55:10–11 says God’s Word accomplishes what He sends it to do.
• Jesus Himself affirmed and fulfilled Scripture, not abolished it (Matt. 5:17–18).

Key idea: Before we take a position on any issue, we should ask,

“What does the Bible say?”

If we don’t intentionally center Scripture, something else will quietly take its place—social media, political tribes, personal feelings, or popular teachers.

Practical posture:

• Scripture is our final authority, not an occasional suggestion.
• We read the Bible before we let the news, feeds, or culture tell us what to think.
• We immerse ourselves in Bible-saturated teaching and community to resist isolation and drift.

Step 3 – Discover the Biblical Position: Use Good Hermeneutics

Once Scripture’s authority is affirmed, we must handle it correctly. Wrong methods lead to wrong conclusions, which often leads to deconstruction.

The lesson emphasizes a basic, usable approach to Bible study:

1. Observation – What does the text actually say?
2. Interpretation – What did it mean to the original audience in its context?
3. Correlation – How does this text fit with other Scriptures? Let Scripture interpret Scripture.
4. Application – Given the original meaning, how should I live this out today?

We also pay attention to:

• Author, audience, and purpose
• Historical and cultural background
• Genre (narrative, law, poetry, prophecy, epistle, etc.)

Key principle:

A text cannot mean what it never meant.

When we honor the author’s intent and the biblical context, many “problem texts” become clearer, and a lot of unnecessary doubt fades.

Step 4 – Consider Opposing Views with Honesty and Charity

A resilient faith doesn’t hide from hard questions or alternative viewpoints. Instead, it faces them, examines them, and measures them against truth.

In this step, the Christian intentionally looks at:

• Secular views
• Other religious positions
• Progressive Christian reinterpretations
• Academic or skeptical critiques

We do this with three ground rules:

1. No straw-man arguments – Describe opposing views fairly.
2. Accuracy before critique – Make sure you truly understand a view before you challenge it.
3. Truth in love – We don’t mock or destroy people; we kindly expose contradictions and point to Christ.

This step turns opposing ideas into an opportunity for deeper understanding instead of a trigger for fear or automatic deconstruction.

Step 5 – Identify Personal Bias

Reconstruction isn’t just about “out there” information; it’s also about what’s going on in here—in our hearts.

We all bring presuppositions, experiences, wounds, preferences, and desires into every topic. Scripture warns that:

• Our hearts are deceitful (Jer. 17:9).
• We often think we’re right in our own eyes (Prov. 12:15).
• We need God to search and test our hearts (Ps. 139:23–24).

This step asks probing questions like:

• Why do I want this to be true or untrue?
• When did I start thinking this way?
• Who influenced this belief?
• How would I feel if Scripture clearly contradicted my current view?

Identifying personal bias doesn’t weaken faith; it strengthens honesty and keeps us from turning emotions or trauma into theology.

Step 6 – Ask: “What Hill Does This Belong On?”

Not all issues are equally important. If everything is a “big deal,” eventually nothing will be.

This step encourages Christians to sort issues into three categories:

1. Hills to die on – Core, historic Christian doctrines (e.g., deity of Christ, resurrection, salvation by grace through faith, authority of Scripture).
2. Hills to debate on – Important but secondary matters where believers can disagree (e.g., mode of baptism, eschatology, church government).
3. Hills not worth fighting over – Personal preferences, styles, and minor issues.

This helps prevent:

• Splitting over non-essentials
• Confusing preferences with doctrine
• Deconstructing everything just because something hurts or disappoints us

Mature believers know which hills truly matter and which do not.

Step 7 – Apply Your Convictions in Real-Life Contexts

Finally, a worldview is not just what we think—it’s how we live.

Every believer has multiple spheres of influence:

• Family
• Friends
• Church
• Workplace
• Online presence

Lesson 5 calls Christians to develop three kinds of strategies:

1. Internal Strategy – Daily Scripture, prayer, guarding inputs, and tending your own soul.
2. External Strategy – Healthy relationships, honest dialogues, staying connected to a local church.
3. Missional Strategy – Serving others, sharing what you’re learning, discipling people around you.

Instead of reacting impulsively to every cultural moment, we learn to respond with prepared, biblical, wise convictions—anchored in God’s Word and lived out with humility and courage.