I LOVE a quiz. Yes, I know it sounds geeky – but I still think they’re great! In fact it has become a bit of a standing joke amongst my family and friends about how competitive quizzes make me. Asking and answering obscure questions and dragging previously forgotten facts from the recesses of your brain and causing those loved ones around you to wonder: “Why on earth do you know that?”

Questions. We all have them. They may not necessarily form part of a pub quiz or board game. But we do have them - big questions about life, meaning, significance, worth, the universe and yes maybe even about God.

I recently led an RE lesson at a primary school and there were loads of great questions from the children. They ranged from “Did Jesus invent the Easter bunny?” through to “Why does God allow bad things to happen?”. What was brilliant was that the children weren’t afraid to ask their big questions.

Over a number of years some churches in the area and nationally have run events called Alpha. These are great opportunities to explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment – to ask those big questions in a place where they will be accepted and valued and taken seriously. Some are answered, some not, but they are all listened to and valued. Because there has to be more to this life, yes?

The challenge I suppose is whether we are brave enough to ask the questions which might lead us to know what more there is.

We’re running an Alpha event soon so if you want more information, try the Alpha website (alpha.org) or call me on 01756 701099. It’s important to ask those questions!

The Rev Phil Burns

Skipton Baptist Church