Church Update
May 13, 2026
Dear Church of the Open Bible,
I like answers. Maybe it was how I was taught, but I grew up answer-oriented. And I’m old enough that most of my formative years were before online search engines (and definitely before “AI Modes”!). I like true & false and single-selection multiple choice. But, perhaps most telling of all, I believed that the right answer, with enough clarity and persuasion, could bring about change. Ironically, I’ve changed my thinking on this and not because of the right answer, but because of the right questions.
One of my motivations for change has come from paying closer attention to Jesus and His ministry in the Gospels. Based on my previous trust in the power of a good answer, I would’ve thought most of Jesus’ ministry to consist of indefinite Question & Answer sessions. The equivalent of Jesus dropping “truth bombs” everywhere and all the time. But that’s not what we see.
In the Gospel accounts, Jesus was asked 183 questions. That’s a fair number of questions. But in those same accounts, the Son of God asks 307 questions either directly or indirectly. That’s fascinating to me! Good questions can provoke us. They can lead us deeper. They can cause us to wrestle with what believe. And asking good questions forces us to truly listen. Here are just a few of Jesus’ profound questions.
What are you seeking? - John 1:38
But who do you say that I am? - Matt 16:15
What do you want me to do for you? - Luke 18:41
We should be willing to give and seek out answers, but I think it can be far more helpful at times to ask the right question.
In Christ,
Pastor Jeremy