Explore: Asking questions about Jesus

 • The Explore the Bible lesson for Oct. 27 focuses on John 7:1-52.

Recently our church has been involved in a study about how to begin and sustain “faith conversations” with those around us. The study is called “Why Do You Believe That?” and is written by Mary Jo Sharp. We have learned several valuable lessons, and I believe these correspond well with our Bible study this week.

Develop our personal relationship with Christ

Asking questions is good for our own faith. Many Christ-followers are afraid to research their own beliefs because they worry there may not be enough evidence to support them. This simply is not the case. By studying Scripture and by researching our own belief system, we find great support for our ideas, and this strengthens our relationship with Christ.

It also is wise to study Scripture because we want to make sure we are not trying to create Christ in our image. We want to know him in truth, and the only way to do that is by studying his word. “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (v.17).

When we know Christ is real and relevant in our lives, we are able to see more clearly the truths present in Scripture. This means we ought to be all the more eager to study Scripture because we are going to discover even more truth about Christ.

One example of how knowing Scripture helps us deepen and defend our faith is found in studying the prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament. There are so many predictions about the Messiah, and Jesus fulfilled every one.

One of my favorite areas of prophecy has to do with the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. Old Testament prophecies tell us the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), come from Nazareth (Isaiah 11:1, 53:3), and come out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1). If you did not know Christ or his story, you might think there was no way for one person to fulfill all three of these predictions.

And yet, we learn in the New Testament Jesus was born in Bethlehem, fled to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath, and then was raised in Nazareth. Again, the probability of one person doing this is unlikely, and yet, in Jesus, we have the fulfillment of these prophecies—as well as all the rest.

Again, in studying Scripture, we allow God the opportunity to develop our faith as well as preparing ourselves to be able to speak to others about that faith.

Engage our culture

The second lesson we learn from John 7 is we should not fear engaging our culture regarding the claims of Christ. I am afraid we are losing the “tolerance” battle. It has been said if you repeat a lie loud enough and long enough, people eventually will believe that lie. Today’s culture—including the media—seems to be saying everyone else in the world has the right to say whatever they want, but Christians need to be quiet. When Christians speak, they are considered intolerant; all other groups get a free pass. We cannot let this deter us.

Remember Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

Jesus was not afraid to mix it up with his own culture. He asked questions, challenged beliefs, gave hard sayings, listened to people’s responses and worked to persuade people to become followers. We need to do the same.

Show genuine concern

As we engage our culture, we have to do so with great love and great respect. This goes along with last week’s lesson, as well.

I get the feeling most Christians are afraid to talk to people about Christ, because they are worried they will say something wrong. The truth is that there is a way to do what God has called us to do and also be guaranteed not to mess up. Yes, there are plenty of ways to do things wrong, but they all have to do with our attitude.

If we come across as unloving, in a hurry, dishonest or arrogant, then certainly this can set people back from wanting to make a decision to follow Christ. However, if we simply engage people in conversations in which we show genuine concern, ask questions to get to know them better, are honest in our responses—even when we do not know an answer to their questions—then we will find God’s hand of blessing on these conversations.

Simply put, we should let 1 Peter 3:15 be our guide: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”