Crossfires

Crossfires

Introduction Argument Side A- 2 Minutes
Introduction Argument Side B- 2 Minutes
First Point Side A- 3 Minutes 
First Point Side B- 3 Minutes 
Team Discussion- 3 Minutes
Rebuttal Side A- 2 Minutes 
Rebuttal Side B- 2 Minutes 
Second Point Side A- 3 Minutes
Second Point Side B- 3 Minutes 
Team Discussion- 3 Minutes 
Rebuttal Side A- 2 Minutes 
Rebuttal Side B- 2 Minutes 
Third Point Side A- 3 Minutes
Third Point Side B- 3 Minutes
Team Discussion- 3 Minutes 
Closing Side A- 2 Minutes 
Closing Side B- 2 Minutes 

Moderator Closing Statements/Discussion

Rules

  1. One speaker per segment. (John does introduction, Jill does point one, Mark does rebuttal one, etc…) Please note that not every person is required to speak, but everyone is encouraged to participate in Team Discussion AND note taking for the team.  
  2. You must disclose your “evidence” to the opposing side prior to introductory statements. Please have all evidence printed and ready PRIOR to Crossfires. 
  3. Even if you do not agree with your side, you must argue in its favor. 
  4. No devices during Crossfires- this will eliminate searching for more “evidence.” 
  5. No switching sides. Positions are randomly assigned. 
  6. Abide by the allotted time. When the moderator calls time, please return to your seat. 
  7. If you are not the designated speaker, please refrain from discussion during the debate. Please wait for the designated Team Discussion times. 
  8. If you would like to invite a staff pastor as an “expert” witness, please disclose this to your moderator and opposing team immediately.
  9. If your team would like to add one Visalia First staff person to your team, you must disclose it to the other team at least a week prior to the debate. This person will need to be approached by each team and included in discussion. This does not mean the staff person is required to speak. 
  10. If you need to reserve the classroom for Crossfires prep, please connect with Regan or Josh. 

Crossfires #1: Abstinence

Date: February 9, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM 
Moderator: Pastor Chad Lashley

Topic: The Bible calls believers to holiness and sexual integrity, but is abstinence until marriage a biblical command, or a cultural purity ethic? With changing societal norms and modern interpretations of grace, this debate challenges students to wrestle with Scripture, personal holiness and the role of the body in discipleship. 

Side A: Abstinence until marriage is a biblical requirement for all Christians and a matter of obedience, not just wisdom. 

Side B: While sexual purity is important, abstinence until marriage is not a universal biblical command and should not be treated as the defining moral standard. 

Side A Team: 
David Robles, Trajon Lunn, David Carreiro 

Side B Team: 
Loralei Lunn, Hayden Merrill, Maggie Plunkett

Note: Teams must base their argument on Scripture, not tradition, and cannot redefine marriage or sexual activity outside of biblical categories.

*** Any sexual act with a partner. 

If you have any specific questions about the prompt, please email reganm@catalystbible.com. 

 

Crossfires #2: Salvation and Perseverance

Date: March 2, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM 
Moderator: Pastor Chad Lashley

Topic: Can a person who has been genuinely regenerated by grace through faith later forfeit salvation, or does apostasy reveal that true regeneration never occurred?

Side A: Salvation is a genuine, grace-initiated relationship that can be forfeited through persistent unbelief or apostasy. While salvation is entirely the work of God and not earned by human effort, Scripture presents perseverance in faith as a necessary condition for final salvation. Therefore, a believer who is truly regenerated may later reject Christ in such a way that Salvation is ultimately lost. 

Key Claims: 
1. Regeneration is real, experiential, and relational, not merely positional. 
2. Apostasy represents a genuine departure from saving faith, not merely exposure of false faith. 
3. Scriptural warnings against falling away are addressed to true believers and describe a real possibility, not a hypothetical scenario. 
4. Divine grace does not eliminate human responsibility to remain in faith. 

Side B: Salvation, once genuinely received, cannot be forfeited because it is an act of God’s sovereign grace that results in true regeneration and inevitable perseverance. Those who appear to abandon the faith were never truly regenerated. Apostasy, therefore, does not represent loss of salvation, but rather the revelation of an unregenerate heart. 

Key Claims: 
1. Regeneration results in a transformed nature that necessarily perseveres in faith. 
2. Salvation is preserved by God’s power, not sustained by human effort. 
3. Scriptural warnings function as means by which God preserves believers, not evidence that salvation can be undone. 
4. Assurance of salvation rests in God’s faithfulness to complete His saving work. 

Side A Team: 

Sadie Arredondo, Trajon Lunn, David Carreiro 

Side B Team: 

Maggie Plunkett, Loralei Lunn, David Robles

If you have questions about this prompt, please connect with Jill Roberson, Pastor Chad’s Ministry Assistant (jillr@visaliafirst.com)