One of my favorite projects of the school year takes place in my statistics class each December.  I would not have the privilege of doing this in a public school, but it is a marvelous opportunity for Biblical integration in the Christian school classroom.  After spending second quarter studying probability and the world of “What are the odds of this event taking place?” my students are then assigned the project of determining the odds for the likelihood of Jesus being the Messiah.  Fortunately  there are many websites and books out there that show the research into the Old Testament prophecies and their New Testament fulfillment.  There are also mathematicians and apologists who have calculated the probabilities of a person being able to fulfill what had been foretold.  The numbers become eye-opening and mind-blowing.  According to Peter Stoner in his book, Science Speaks, the likelihood of a person fulfilling just eight of the major prophecies would be 1:1017.   Josh McDowell, well-known apologist who became a Christian after setting out to disprove Christianity, shares the following explanation:

“To help us visually comprehend the staggering odds of this probability, Stoner proposed that we take that many silver dollars and lay them across the state of Texas. In doing so, we’d find they would stack up across the state two feet deep. But wait; there’s more! Now mark one of the silver dollars, and stir up the entire mass of coins. Then blindfold an enthusiastic volunteer and tell him that he can travel as far as he likes across Texas, but that he *must* pick out the marked silver dollar. THAT is how difficult it would be for one man to fulfill these prophecies. Unless, of course, he did so because of divine appointment.”   (josh.org/jesus-fulfill-prophecy/)

McDowell further shares that Stoner goes on to calculate that the odds of any man fulfilling 48 of the more than three hundred Old Testament prophecies would be 1:10157  (that’s a one followed by 157 zeros!!!).  To me, this represents the beautiful world where Biblical integration meets mathematics curriculum.  Students get to look at empirical evidence that validates their faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Savior of the world.  

“So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come peasant king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, This is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.”

Minds: 
Research Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ’s birth, His ministry, His crucifixion, and His resurrection.  Observe how the New Testament shows the fulfillment of these prophecies through Jesus Christ.  Realize that all of this data is confirmation of what your heart has accepted in faith… and if you have not trusted Him, perhaps now is the time.

Hearts: 
Give Him praise!  Thank Him for who He is and what He does to make Himself known to us… for truly, He is God!