Not Answering the Question
Having the answers doesn't help us grow
I’ve found that in Bible study groups there is often a sense that we are looking for the answers, looking for facts. Often there’s someone (and I know I’ve been that person!) who is quick to jump in with answers and information.
But I don’t find that my heart (and by that, I mean my attitude) is moved by that approach. Having the answers tends to make me feel certain about what I have already been thinking. Sitting with the scripture and wondering about it, or noticing how it makes me feel is more likely to lead me somewhere new and help me to grow. Doing that with others is more likely to help me see things that I wouldn’t see on my own.
I often make videos where I’m encouraging people to wonder about the text and to notice how our hearts are moved by the text. I still often get people responding with answers and facts! So I think I need to be clearer that I’m not interested in that kind of response.
If you’d like to see my wondering videos, I normally post them on Mondays on TikTok and a few other places.
If you’d like to join an online scripture discussion at 5pm on a Monday, send me an email at christopher.booth@victas.uca.org.au
This is a shorter version of something I wrote for the Easter 2026 Leviathan zine.
Photo used in the illustration is from Naassom Azevedo.