Apologetics

Elisha was bald. Very bald.

In 2 Kings 2, the youth noticed – and mocked him for it.

How did Elisha respond?

Well, not in a way that you might expect.

He cursed the youth – and two bears came out to maul them.

So, what’s the deal with that? For some, it seems like an overreaction.

Other Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What was so sinful about the youth’s actions?

B) Why was Elisha justified in the response?

C) What do these events tell us about God?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

In Psalm 8, David marveled at the stars.

And as he did so, he considered God’s power.

‘What is man,’ David asked, that God should care for him?

In other words, why would a God so big care for people so small?

And yet, He does.

In today’s text, we’ll consider the towering yet tender nature of our God.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What is so striking about Psalm 8?

B) Why does David focus on the ‘name’ of God?

C) What proof do you have that God loves you?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

‘To everything there is a season,

a time for every purpose under heaven.’

– Ecclesiastes 3:1

In life, there is a time to be born and a time to die.

There is a time to kill and a time to heal.

There is a time of war and a time of peace.

In today’s study, we’ll consider the various cycles of our existence.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Who wrote this famous passage, and why?

B) Why is life futile ‘under the sun?’

C) What makes things different ‘under heaven?’

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

What is your ‘finish line?’

Your life and choices are taking you somewhere.

One decision at a time, you are closer to a destination.

The question is: what sort of destination is it?

That will be the focus of today’s study in Philippians 3.

Other Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What does our past have to do with our future?

B) What did Paul say about his own history?

C) What does it mean to ‘press toward the prize?’

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

Why?

It is the most basic of all questions.

As humans, we want to know why things happen.

Especially when those things are painful.

That was Job’s problem.

Job couldn’t understand how God could allow his suffering.

We’ll explore this further in today’s study of Job 10.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What was Job’s struggle? What couldn’t he understand?

B) Is God indifferent to our hurts or pains?

C) What are the implications to your own life?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

This world is not our home.

We live out our earthly days in the ‘shadowlands.’

All around us is a mixture of darkness and light.

However, we still have a choice.

Will we be agents of the light or the dark?

That will be the focus of today’s study in 1 Thessalonians 5.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What were the Thessalonians anxious about?

B) How did the Apostle Paul address that anxiety?

C) What were the implications for how they were to live?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

In John 21, Jesus talked about His ‘return.’

He would leave.

In due time, He would come back.

But for what purpose? And at what point?

That will be the focus of today’s study.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus suggest that John would remain?

B) How do the events of 70AD relate to this passage?

C) How does John’s gospel conclude?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

How many times had Peter ‘denied’ Jesus?

Three.

How many times did Jesus ask Peter if he ‘loved’ Him?

Three.

In today’s study of John 21, we’ll see the forgiveness of Christ, and the commissioning of Peter.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What caused Peter to recognize Jesus on the beach?

B) What did Jesus mean by ‘feed My sheep?’

C) How does this passage apply to our own lives and leadership?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Skepticism is NOT a fruit of the Spirit.

In John 19, Jesus died.

In John 20, He was resurrected.

And after that, He appeared to His apostles in the Upper Room.

However, one was missing. And he didn’t believe the other ten.

The ‘doubts’ of Thomas will be the focus of today’s study.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What are the proofs of Christ’s resurrection?

B) What else do we know about ‘Doubting Thomas?’

C) What does this text teach us about ‘faith?’

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

He Is Risen!

In John 19, Jesus died. But He didn’t stay dead.

In John 20, He rose from the tomb (just as He said He would)!

And in doing so, He made possible our own resurrection.

That will be the focus of today’s study in the Gospel of John.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What are the proofs / evidences of the resurrection?

B) Why were two angels sitting on either side of the grave slab?

C) What did Jesus say to Mary Magdalene at this time?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt