Question Everything

a Biblical thought...
Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. (1 Chronicles 28:9)

a Book thought...
Eight out of ten American students participate in church during their teenage years, but most of them will take a permanent detour from active faith at some point soon after they get their driver's licenses. (p142)

a Dave thought...
Last night as our planting team walked through Swinburne University in Hawthorn my attention was grabbed by their new advertising slogan plastered across the fence on the main road. It simply read QUESTION EVERYTHING. This statement is one I believe in as in my former days as a school teacher I used to encourage my students to always ask questions as it is the best way to learn. I was also encouraged by a former mentor as a developing leader to always ask good questions as it is a great way to develop your knowledge. Unfortunately though when we come to church we are often saying 'Accept Everything Question Nothing'. Maybe not through our words but by the type of one way communication that exists in our celebrations and gatherings which is quite opposite to this questioning environment that exists in our schools and uni's today.

So as we are beginning a faith community across the road from an institution that asks their students to question everything we also think that we must be open to discussions and debates about Jesus. I think at this stage 'Doubt Nights' would have a greater attendance than 'Faith Nights' but I don't think it really matters, what does though is introducing students to a Jesus that is open to our questions.

Just a thought.