Inviting Your Questions

05/20/16

John Stonestreet

We all have questions about faith. What we need is a place where those questions are welcomed and answered with biblical truth.

John Stonestreet

In his very first BreakPoint commentary, which aired September 2, 1991, Chuck Colson observed that “our culture has stopped asking the big questions about the meaning and purpose of life.” The same is true 25 years later, and at times it can even be true of the church. Feel-good sermons, songs, and activities cannot replace learning the grand narrative of God’s creation and redemption. Too many Christians are ill equipped to wrestle with life’s biggest questions, much less share their faith with others.

Recently, I spoke with my friend and Colson Fellow Nancy Fitzgerald, who wrote and teaches the outstanding biblical worldview curriculum, Anchorsaway to high school juniors and seniors. She shared a story with me that drives home the point.

Anchorsaway hosted a picnic to celebrate the achievements of the students who had spent a semester studying worldview and apologetics. As the students went inside for their last class, parents met with Nancy for a time of sharing about what the students had learned.

Nancy related that she spent much time answering students’ questions. Questions like: “How do you know Christianity is not a hoax? What difference does it make to me daily that Jesus died and rose again? Is there any hope for me?”

When Nancy then asked the parents how many of them had similar questions, no one responded. In fact, no one moved.

“It’s okay to have questions,” Nancy told them. “Honestly, how many of you have similar questions?” Slowly, the hands begin to rise.

One mom said, “I didn’t know we could ask questions; I was taught not to.” Another said, “I didn’t know there were answers to such questions. I have thought about that stuff but never knew anyone who could answer them.”

As a teacher myself, it saddens me to think that Christians don’t know that it’s perfectly okay to ask hard questions. In fact, it’s critical! What’s more, the church should be the best place to ask those questions.

As Nancy told those parents, and I’m excited to tell you, Nancy’s written a new small group study aimed specifically at adults who have the same kinds of questions the teens studied in the Anchorsaway class. This new study is called “Unanswered: Smoke, Mirrors and God,” and provides a way for you to both ask and find biblical answers to the questions we have about God, Jesus, ourselves, and the big questions of life.

It’s an excellent adult small group study with an accompanying discussion guide and DVD. Not only will it help you get some honest answers, but you’ll also learn how to be a better responder to those who have questions. It will give you confidence in knowing the truth of your faith.

To not take people’s questions seriously is to not take them seriously. We risk leaving the impression that questioning is sinful or that the answers don’t really exist. Neither is true, and “Uanswered” is a perfect way to offer your friends and neighbors in your church and community a safe place to ask the big questions and receive honest answers.

So why not form a study group using “Unanswered: Smoke, Mirrors and God.” The book, study guide, and DVD are easy to use, do not speak in Christianese and, frankly, can be life changing. It can be used with seekers, families, cell groups in the church and with women’s, men’s and student small group studies.

For more information about the Anchorsaway ministry and the Unanswered series, come to BreakPoint.org and click on this commentary.

And as I mentioned earlier this week on BreakPoint, Chuck Colson’s daughter, Emily Colson, delivered a stunning and moving tribute to Chuck at last month’s Wilberforce Weekend. We’ve transcribed it for you and turned it into a downloadable pdf. Just go to BreakPoint.org/free to get your copy.