Asking Good Questions

The Covid-19 pandemic blatantly exposed how rarely we use our thinking ability. It wasn’t uncommon for many of us, to have received WhatsApp messages about the origin of the Covid-19 virus and then, without questioning them, shared them with others.   We did not stop to think about it.  We did not ask ourselves any questions, much less ‘good questions’—those that have been carefully considered and demonstrate sound reasoning.  We simply believed what we heard and made potentially life-impacting decisions based on it.

When good questions are not asked, we make ourselves vulnerable to the control and manipulation of others. Politicians throughout history have gained power and control over unsuspecting populaces because they know that people generally do not think carefully about what they are told.  Sadly, some religious leaders do the same with the purpose of maintaining their religious structures through the control of their adherent’s beliefs and behaviour.

I’m convinced that Christians should be skillful thinkers. Christians more than anyone else should consistently demonstrate that we are honouring God by using the ability He has given us to think and to reason. Wasn’t it the Creator Himself who said, “Come, let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18)?  God Himself, invites His people to use their intellect, to examine, consider, and think things through.  Ellen White argues, “It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train the youth to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men's thought."—Education, p. 17.

As a schoolboy in the UK, whenever I was asked why I couldn’t play for the team on a Sabbath, my answer was always, “It’s against my religion.”  I had not been taught to reason or think for myself, and so give an account of why I chose not to play.  Instead, I repeated what my parents and church said.  Some of us still operate as school children.  We do not question what we see on YouTube videos and elsewhere or even what are told from the pulpit, in the Sabbath School class, or what we read.  We don’t arrive at a carefully considered conclusion.

Since God gave us the ability to think, does it not make sense that we honour Him by thinking and by asking good questions about what we accept as true and why we believe what we do?

Halsey Peat,
Communication director

Register Today for Training!

“As newly elected ministry leaders take up their responsibilities we want to immediately provide them with training and resources,” explained Pastor Halsey Peat, assistant to the president.  “It will also be an opportunity for them to learn how their ministry can align with the vision of their church to connect like Jesus.  Any leader, new or returning, who wants the best for his or her ministry will definitely want to attend this free training.”

The virtual training will take place on Sabbath afternoon, January 21 and on February 11, 2023, starting at 4:00 p.m. Ministry leaders will be to attend two different workshops on each of the two days.  Most workshops will be repeated, allowing leaders with more than one office to attend up to three or even four workshops.

REGISTER TODAY!
Register Here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEoc-ygrz8iEtYSC3iMO4L3B3-5mfkB1k1-

On your training day(s), visit Virtual Ministry Leadership Training 2023 - Adventist Ontario Conference Website.

Missionary Leads 45 People to Baptism in Indigenous Community in Brazil

From that moment on, Flores began to pray more intensely that the Holy Spirit would enable her for mission. "My first challenge was to think about how to do a 14-day evangelism initiative in a very rainy period in the region. Our community suffers a lot during this period because it floods a lot, and everything is full of mud, which could harm us during the services," she recalls.

It was during this prayer that Flores sought guidance on what to do to overcome the obstacle of the weather. "Then, a group of women and I thought about forming missionary teams to visit and share Bible studies to the people in the community." she details.

As a result, 19 pairs of women missionaries were formed who went out and gave Bible studies for seven days. Afterwards, these families participated in the program at the church on the following seven nights.

Nevertheless, another challenge lay before the university student: what would she talk about in her sermons?

It was Flores’ first time as a preacher, and once again, prayer made the difference. "I fasted; I prayed hard to hear what God wanted me to bring to those families, until He showed me: 'Talk about the water. ' It was enough for me to start studying that I was able to put together the seven nights of studies on water and its benefits, and how Jesus is our water, the source of life."

Flores had traumas to overcome. In 2021, her first year as Women's Ministries director, even with so many invitations and visits made, only two women participated in the evangelism program. "I was crying with sadness and despair. I wondered why more people were not coming. But on the last day, seeing those two women giving themselves to Christ, I see that it was worth it to do everything just for those two women. Today, they help me in the women's ministry," says Flores.

In 2022, she faced many challenges. However, another difficulty arose regarding language. Besides preaching in Portuguese and Taurepang, her native language, Flores had to speak Spanish, since there were Venezuelans in the study group. Notwithstanding, her dedication, prayer, and faithfulness—putting God first in her life—meant the week of evangelism ended with 45 people baptized.

Flores says two parables moved her during this period of challenges: the ten virgins and the great supper. "When I read these passages while preparing the sermons, I understood that I need to be prepared for when Jesus returns, and this is only possible with faithfulness, prayer, and love for my neighbour. And that, without a doubt, was the secret to the success of the women's evangelism in Sorocaima.”