“WHAT IS GOD? AND WHERE DID HE COME FROM?”
“WHO IS HIS FATHER? SHOULD I BE SCARED OF HIM OR IT?”
“ARE THESE STORIES IN THE BIBLE TALL TALES?”
“I AM REALLY TRYING HARD, BUT THE MORE I READ AND DISCUSS THE BIBLE THE MORE I CAN’T UNDERSTAND. I MAY BE TOO CLOSED MINDED AND/OR AFRAID. I WORRY THAT I WONT BE ABLE TO EVER GET IT.”
“I UNDERSTAND LOVE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME AND I KNOW WHAT UNCONDITIONAL LOVES FEELS LIKE TO GET AND GIVE BECAUSE OF MY FAMILY AND MY BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN. IS THAT GOD?”
“THESE QUESTIONS ARE REAL AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY MIGHT SOUND CHILDISH, BUT IF YOU COULD HELP ME, I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. THANKS.”
“THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL BIBLE.”
What you just read are real questions of an honest mind and heart from someone desperately wanting to know and understand the spiritual truths of life. Chaplain Rhonda reported at our last board meeting she received a request form asking the questions. How shall we respond to these questions? Can we help this person find answers in the Bible she was given?
These questions put us on a search to find some help for her. Part of our search has taken us to booklets about Biblical truth from ServeNow. ServeNow is a mission agency headquartered in Denver, Colorado, offering hope to people who are most vulnerable. Part of their significant ministry is providing leadership training for local pastors to help their people, through the use of 30 booklets in a Basic Series set, which provides basic teaching about God and Jesus, as well as on subjects such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and other Christian-based interests.
Rhonda gave the woman who asked these honest questions the booklet entitled, “Basic Things You Should Know About God.” After reading it, she wrote in reply:
“I loved the booklet and appreciated the thought behind it. Yes, it’s informative and it was really cool to know exactly where the Scripture came from in the whole context. I love reading the Bible and learning about our God, Jesus, and the history behind this Book. I can even hear myself changing and feel myself evolving with a deeper understanding of God & Jesus & His teachings. I have so many more questions, but I am not afraid of God, I talk to Him now in my own way throughout my day. He is with me. He is for me always! Can’t wait till our next meeting and thank you!”
What a wonderful response! The Lord willing, we will be purchasing some of the booklets as a resource for others to experience a deeper understanding of God’s forgiving and enabling grace.