Christianity

Goliath was a monster. This man was a giant, a beast; the Devil’s own proxy. But God had His own champion. He sent a shepherd from Bethlehem to crush the monster’s head. Does that remind you of anybody else? In today’s study of 1 Samuel 17, we’ll see the Gospel in OT clothing. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) In what ways was Goliath a proxy for the serpent? B) What other types or shadows are in this chapter? C) How do Gen. 3, Rev. 13, and 1 Samuel 17 connect? Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

Is worship difficult for you? For many people, it is. For many, it seems difficult or unnatural. Now, why would ‘worship’ be difficult? Well, we’re not used to glorifying someone other than ourselves. So, how do we fix this? It begins with the study of God himself. It begins with an appreciation of His character. The more we understand God, the more natural worship becomes. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What sort of worship was taking place in 2 Chronicles 7? B) What happened the moment the Temple was dedicated? C) How can we grow in our love and commitment to worship? Speaker: Dr. Toby B. Holt

God looks after His children. There are so many examples of this. Manna from heaven. Water from rock. In today’s text, God will use ravens to bring Elijah food. Then, He will then use Elijah to bring a widow hope. The God who provided for them will look after you. Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What is the context of 1 Kings 17? B) Why was Elijah hiding from Ahab and Jezebel? C) What can we learn from the Widow of Zarephath? Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt

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

‘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

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

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

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

It. Is. Finished. Just three words – yet, the most significant ever spoken. On Calvary, Jesus declared ‘it is finished.’ The question for us is: what was He referring to? What was ‘finished,’ and what value does it have for us? That will be the focus of today’s study in John 19. Other Questions That We’ll Answer: A) Why did Jesus have to die? Was it really necessary? B) Why did the sky grow dark, and why was the temple veiled ripped? C) What proofs are there of the crucifixion and resurrection? Dr. Toby Holt is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, in Gulfport MS.

“What is truth?” That was Pilate’s question. It was a great question – too bad he didn’t wait for an answer. Pontius Pilate asked Jesus a number of things in John 18 – and was befuddled by Christ’s responses. We will consider their unique conversation in today’s study. Questions We’ll Address: A) Who was Pilate, and what was his background? B) Why did the Jewish leaders take Jesus to Pilate? C) Why did the people demand the release of Barabbas?

Lanterns, torches and weapons. The men who sought Jesus were heavily armed! That’s what rebels do – they arm themselves for battle. Meanwhile, Jesus waited patiently. In a sense, the events of John 18 are a microcosm of mankind’s history. Specifically, our ‘armed rebellion’ against a loving and patient God. We’ll consider that rebellion (and Christ’s response) in today’s study of John 18.   Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org  

Jesus, 1. The World, 0. It wasn’t even close. Herod, Pilate, the devil, and all the Pharisees could not stop Christ’s victory. They didn’t even delay it. In John 16, Jesus said He had overcome the world – but what does that mean for you and I as believers? That will be the focus of today’s study.