I recently received the following email from a former member of ecpc…

“I am planning a dinner activity for my husband’s ordination reception. My hope is to have a slideshow playing with “trivia questions” that everyone getting ordained must know. Would you consider helping me?”

– Former Member of ECPC

Below you find the questions that I came up with. As I worked on these questions I was reminded that following Jesus is NOT “NORMAL.” As you read the questions and answers below, please repent of complacent, comfortable, “sensible” ‘Consumer/American Christianity;’ and turn away from the erroneous notion that the Bible is full of common sense, which decent, commonsensical, people ‘like us’ accept, because we’re so prudent and mature. Bottom line, if you believe in Jesus, you are weird! If you follow Jesus of Nazareth, you’re not at home in this world …you are an exile, a foreigner, and a sojourner! You must own the fact that you are exceedingly ODD! For instance, you regularly remember your invisible, and all-powerful, absolute monarch by eating His body and drinking His blood; relishing the fact that He pardons you for being evil, and redeems you from utter hopelessness by His sovereign, and completely unmerited, mercy!

Q. What saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance?

A. That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15)

Q. What did Jonah hate about God?

A. Jonah hated that God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. (Jonah 4:2)

Q. What did Noah do after God saved him and his family from the apocalyptic flood?

A. Noah drank wine and became drunk and passed out naked. (Genesis 9:21)

Q. How did Jesus respond when Peter tried to save his life?

A. “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me.” (Matthew 16:22-23)

Q. What did Paul wish upon legalistic Bible teachers?

A. That they would castrate (ἀποκόψονται) themselves! (Galatians 5:12)

Q. What anecdote is supposed to be shared wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world?

A. The story of the woman who showed up uninvited at Simon the leper’s house, and got scolded by the church leaders; and got commended by Jesus for doing the beautiful work of anointing Jesus’ body for burial. (Mark 14:9)

Q. How many middle school boys were massacred by 2 she bears for disrespecting Elisha?

A. 42 (2 Kings 2:24)