How Three Christians Are Navigating Today’s Toughest Questions

There are many talkers in our world. Opinions, debates, and movements all vie for our attention. We hear them on social media, in the news, and even in our daily conversations.

Some of these questions and issues feel so modern and tied to our generation. We might wonder if the Bible has anything to say about them. But what if God speaks directly to these loud concerns, guiding us through the noise?

The sermon series, Talking to the Talkers, examines what the Bible says about the loudest talkers in our world and generation.

There have been many profound sermons over the years. You can check out a playlist of some of the talkers in our world that we have found God’s truth on.

We had the opportunity to speak with three Sycamore Church members as they shared their personal experiences with the sermon series.

Can we meet you? What do you do?

Modupe: My name is Modupe Clifford-Ajefo, I’m a social development worker. I work with an NGO. I also volunteer with Sycamore Kids.

Oluwaloni: I am Familoni Oluwaloni, I am a medical doctor and a passionate music lover. I volunteer with Sycamore Worship Team

Samuel: I am Samuel Ajayi, a student at the University of Ibadan. I work as a Social Media Manager. I volunteer with Sycamore Creative Show Team and the Content Team.

What does the “Talking to the Talkers” sermon series mean to you?

Modupe: It’s one of the series I look forward to every year in church. It helps me understand what God says about life’s questions. Some I haven’t even considered, but are on people’s minds.

So I know that when the series is announced, it is going to answer questions that relate to our everyday life, what’s happening around us even at that particular time and that particular year.

It helps to understand that the Bible is not silent about some things that we may think are not God’s business.

Oluwaloni: The Talking to the Talkers series is a chance to address some loud topics in my life. It will show what the Bible says and how to respond to them.

So for me, the series helps me answer questions like, “How do I talk back? How do I respond to these things that are loud in my life?” Each year, the series gives me practical ways to view the topics.

It’s not just about, “What is my stance?” or “What would I say if asked?” It’s more of ‘what do I do?’ Because these are real things and questions that we all have, things we think about. 

Samuel: The Talking to the Talkers series is a time in church where I get to hear from God. And I find answers to my lingering questions and daily struggles. 

How has the series changed your faith, your life, and your relationships?

Modupe: I recall a Talking to the Talkers series discussing What The Bible Says About LGBTQ. This series helped me navigate my job as a Social Worker in an NGO that caters to young people who come from diverse backgrounds with their unique questions.

Initially, I didn’t know how to merge what I believe God’s word says about LGBTQ with counselling, guiding, listening to them and providing a safe space without being judgmental.

But after listening to the sermon, I realised that these people are real people with real issues and challenges.

I felt more compassion and I also was able to harmonise my faith with my career using a non-judgmental approach and compassionately guiding them towards the path of truth.

Oluwaloni: For me, the Talking to the Talkers series is like a sieve that changes the way I think about things. Like we’ve seen in the Heartitudes sermon series—the way we think in our hearts is where our life flows from.

The biggest part for me is the way Talking to the Talkers series modifies my thinking.

Samuel: My first Talking to the Talkers series in Sycamore Church was last year, 2023. I remember the sermon about Loving Toxic People(What The Bible Says About Toxic People, Reconciliation And Healing) and the one about  What The Bible Says About LGBTQ.

As Pastor says, there is a lot of noise in the world and we must learn to navigate it.

It helps to remind me as a Christian what God says about a particular issue, not listening to the noise of the world, but listening to the voice of God.

It gives me clarity on issues that I’d feel like I have no control over. With clarity, I know the right steps to take and how to get a head start on whatever phase I am in. 

What is your favourite sermon in the series, and why did it resonate with you?

Modupe: There was a series of Talking to the Talkers that discussed What Jesus Says About Injustice And Suffering. That Sunday, it made me reflect on my troubled childhood.

I had a very rough childhood, so thinking about that while in service and listening to that sermon led me to realise how God has made it easy for me to forgive and really live life.

Talking to the Talkers series is one that I always look forward to. It raises the point, ‘yeah, I feel this way. But, this is what God is saying. This is what He has enabled me to do, and how to live.’

Oluwaloni: For this year, so far, it’s definitely the last one—What the Bible Says About Masturbation, Lust, and Sexual Desires.

It was so profound. It’s a sermon that will change how I think about my body. It showed how the function of sex echoes the gospel. It was a practical way to think about it. 

Samuel: For me, that would be the sermon on What The Bible Says About Death And The Afterlife.

It reassured me of how our now shapes how we tend to live eternity. It gave me encouragement to embrace Jesus as my hope to enjoy eternal life. 

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As we journey through the Talking to the Talkers series, we invite you to join us. We want to let God shape our hearts and minds as we navigate these loud conversations together. 

If you’d like to know What The Bible Says About The Last Days And The End of The World, you are invited to join us, onsite, at Sycamore Church Building, Behind Mobil Filling Station, Samonda, Ibadan.

Alternatively, you can join in online through YouTube. The time is 8:00 AM WAT for the first service and 9:45 AM WAT for the second service.

Share this story with your friends and contacts on social media!

Interview by Modupe Abidakun

Modupe serves with the Content Team at Sycamore Church 

(Blogposts are creative expressions generously provided for Sycamore Church. The ideas and thoughts do not necessarily represent the position of Sycamore Church)