Who is God? Why do bad things happen to good people? How can I face the future? Asking questions is a normal part of human life. Having doubts is part of the human experience. We do not have to be ashamed of our doubts or hide our questions before God. In fact, God fully welcomes them and welcomes us. This Lent, we will practice bringing some of our biggest questions and doubts to God. We will practice embracing this deeply human part of ourselves as we move together toward the great and joyous mystery of Easter resurrection.

Inspired by a series written by the Clergy Leadership Seminar in Fall 2017 (Team 1).

Ash Wednesday: Living with Questions Doubts | Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 6:1-6
Focus Statement: Doubts about faith and life are normal. Unfortunately, Christians are often taught to view doubts as failing God. Isaiah teaches us that by bringing our doubts into the open, we allow God’s grace to fill us with peace and strength.

Week 1: Who is God? | 1 John 4:7-19
Focus Statement: People often wonder who God is or if God even exists. Each time we give, receive, or witness love, we get closer and closer to our answer.

Week 2: Is the Bible Reliable? | Hebrews 4:12-14
Focus Statement: As Christians, we must always remember the purpose of the Bible is to call us back to God by retelling the story of salvation that culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We cheapen the Bible when we use it to promote our own agendas.

Week 3: Why Should I Go to Church? | Psalm 100
Focus Statement: We might be able to believe in God, pray, and even worship alone, but in a community of faith, despite all its imperfections, we can connect, grow, and experience God’s love for us in ways we never could on our own.

Week 4: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? | Psalm 137 (secondary: John 11:23-35)
Focus Statement: It is difficult to understand how God could allow the pain and suffering we see in the world and in our own lives. Jesus is Emmanuel, “God with Us”. Jesus reminds us that a better question to ask ourselves is, “What can I do to help those who are suffering and in pain?”

Week 5: How and Why Do I Forgive? | Matthew 6:9-15
Focus Statement: Forgiveness frees us from resentment and turmoil. God, who knows us inside out, sees where our mistakes and failings come from. God loves us through it all, offers forgiveness as a gift, and shows us how to extend it to others. 

Week 6 (Palm/Passion Sunday): Why is Jesus Special? | Mark 11:1-11
Focus Statement: The world gives us a certain idea of what it means to be strong and powerful. Those same traits can so easily be – and often are – used to do evil. Jesus turns them upside down and shows how real strength and power lie in loving and serving each other.

Maundy Thursday: Are You Scared of the Future? | John 13:1-7, 31b-35
Focus Statement: The disciples were afraid of losing their positions of power in Jesus’ coming kingdom. So, Jesus beautifully teaches them the power of loving and serving others. Loving and serving others can free us from a life of fear.

Good Friday: Why Did Jesus Have to Die? | Colossians 2:13-14
Focus Statement: Christians have always proclaimed Jesus as our savior but have disagreed about how he saves us. Exploring some of the different ways people have described Jesus’ saving work reveals the depth of God’s loving desire to redeem and heal all of what it means to be human. 

Week 7 (Easter Sunday): Why Be a Christian? | Mark 16:1-8
Focus Statement: The original ending of the Gospel of Mark has the women, because of fear, not share the good news of the resurrection. Mark’s first readers knew the women ultimately told the story, but Mark’s ending reminded them, and reminds us, that the resurrection story changes the world when we choose to let it change us.

• Questions to God Daily Scripture Readings – Word | pdf

• Questions to God Series Overview – Word | pdf
• Questions to God Worship Resource – Word | pdf
• Questions to God Preaching Resource – Word | pdf
• Questions to God Small Group Resource – Word | pdf
• Questions to God Children’s Moment Resource – Word | pdf

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