Fridge Magnet Christianity
28 September - 16 November 2025
Some Bible verses are comforting, encouraging, and inspiring, the kind we print on mugs, stick on our fridges, or turn to in tough times. But what happens when those verses don’t seem to ring true in real life? Could it be they’re more complex, and even more powerful, than we first thought?
And then there are the other verses. The ones that make us uncomfortable. The ones we’d never put on a fridge magnet: passages about violence, judgment, or topics that feel shocking, confusing, or even off-putting. What are we supposed to do with those?
Over 8 weeks, we’ll explore both the comforting and the challenging parts of the Bible: the verses we love and the ones we’d rather ignore. Along the way, we’ll discover that even the most difficult passages might hold a truth better and deeper than we ever imagined.
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“For I know the plans I have for you…”
This much-loved verse is often applied to individual success and prosperity. But in its original context, it spoke to a whole community living in exile. What does “hope and a future” mean when life doesn’t go to plan?Study Questions
If you could put any phrase or verse on a fridge magnet, what would it be and why?
Read Jeremiah 29:4-14.
This passage is part of a letter from the prophet Jeremiah to the Israelites in exile. The commonly quoted verse 11 reads, ‘“For I know the plans I have for you” , declares the Lord, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”’
Looking at the verse in context, is this a promise for the individuals or the nation? Why is that important?
How do you think the exiled Israelites might have responded to Jeremiah’s message?
The talk mentioned both miraculous quick fixes and the slow, redemptive work of God. How have you experienced each in your life? Which is harder to trust God in? Can you think of a time when a ‘quick fix’ hasn’t produced lasting change?
The Israelites were called to “build houses and settle” in Babylon. What might “settling in” look like for us today when we find ourselves in unwanted or difficult circumstances?
Jeremiah urged the exiles to seek the peace (shalom) of the city. The Hebrew word “shalom” includes peace, wholeness, and flourishing. How would it look for us to ‘seek the peace of Birmingham?
Judy’s story of the pastor who waited for the “lights to come back on” illustrates trusting God in dark seasons. How can we hold on to God’s promises when we don’t see evidence of them yet?
Is there a time in your life when God did something so irrefutable in your life, that you are able to cling to when seems absent?
God’s plans for us involve both waiting and active participation. Ask God what what small, everyday ways we can “plant gardens and build houses” where we are right now.
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“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
A verse often quoted as a motivational boost, but what did Paul really mean? We’ll explore how this passage is less about winning or achieving, and more about finding deep contentment in every circumstance.Study Questions
Read Philippians 4:10-13.
Do you have an ability or strength that most people don’t know about?
What ‘this’ do you think Paul is referring to when he says, “I can do all this” in v13.
How does knowing that Paul was in prison waiting to learn if he’d be executed change the way we read verse 13?
Paul models God-confidence rather than self-confidence. In what areas do you find it easier or harder to have confidence in God?
What does it mean that this verse is ‘wonderfully nothing to do with us/?
How might that challenge our usual way of thinking about faith and achievement?Sarah talked about God strengthening us through the people around us. Can you think of an example when this has been true in your life?
Sarah’s “hanging-on-the-bar” story showed that strength comes from consistent practice.
How can daily habits build ‘muscle memory’ for trusting Jesus when life gets tough?If true strength often looks like weakness — like Jesus on the cross — what might it look like practically for you to rely on Christ’s strength instead of your own this week?
PRAY that we became more aware of the strength that God has already given us.
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“Come now, let me sleep with you.”
A disturbing and often-overlooked story. We’ll face its difficult themes head-on, asking what it reveals about the human heart, God’s purposes, and the need for redemption in even the darkest places.Study Questions
Read Genesis 38:1-30.
Which Bible passage do you wish wasn’t there?
In the time when this story was recorded, if a woman was widowed without any children, what would be the consequences?
Verses 7 and 10 say that the LORD put two of Judah’s sons to death. How can you understand God as loving and forgiving in light of that?
Do you think that God approved of Tamar’s actions?
Why do you think Judah wanted to kill Tamar?
Why do you think the midwife had a scarlet cord?
The story of Judah and Tamar is placed directly before the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. Spend some time comparing the following aspects of the two stories:
Judah (Ch 38) vs Joseph (Ch 39)
Association with foreign women (38:1-3) vs separation from foreign women (39:6b-12)
Sexual immorality (38:12-18) vs sexual morality (39:6b-12)
Victimiser (38:24) vs victimised (39:13-20a)
Judgment of God (38:6-10) vs blessing of God (39:20b-23)
True accusation of women (38:25) vs false accusation of woman (39:13-20a)
Confession of sin (38:26) vs rejection of sin (39:10)
In which areas of our life might selfishness have crept in? How can we intentionally practice selflessness instead?
Tamar must have been carrying so much shame but God replaces it with honour and righteousness.
Pray that He does that for us and our community.
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“Anyone who does not hate father and mother… cannot be my disciple.”
Did Jesus really mean we should hate our families and even ourselves? Together we’ll wrestle with these shocking words and discover what wholehearted discipleship truly looks like.Study Questions
Have you ever signed up for something that turned out to be harder than you expected — but still worth it in the end? What helped you stick with it?
Read Luke 14:25-27.
In Sunday’s talk, Judy said that the large crowd who surrounded Jesus in this passage was comprised more of ‘fans’ than ‘followers’. What’s the difference?
Jesus’ use of the word “hate” in verse 26 feels extreme, when earlier in Luke, he commands us to love others (Luke 10:27). What do you think he means?
When Jesus said, ‘you cannot be my disciple,’ in verse 26, did He mean, ‘I won’t let you’, or something else?
The talk quoted John Ortberg: “To be a follower of Jesus, we must renounce comfort as the ultimate goal of our life.”How much do you pursue comfort in your daily life?
What might it look like to have a deeper allegiance to Jesus than to things like family, comfort, reputation, success etc?
Read Matthew 16:25. What do you think that Jesus is talking about here?
Jesus calls his followers to “carry their cross.”
How would his original listeners — living under Roman rule — have understood that image?Has there were been a time in your life when you laid something down for God? What prompted your decision?
Pray for courage to live for Jesus and not pursue our own comfort first.
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“In all things God works for the good…”
This verse has encouraged countless believers, but it’s often misunderstood. Does it mean everything in life is automatically good? Or is Paul pointing to a deeper assurance of God’s ultimate purposes at work?Group Study
How might people often understand or quote this verse — and what “version” of Christianity might that sometimes create?
Look at the verses around Romans 8:28 — especially verses 18–27. What are some of the key themes Paul has been talking about before this verse and how does that context shape what he means by “all things?
When you hear the word ‘good’, what comes to mind? How might Paul’s definition of good here differ from our modern, comfortable idea of what “good” means?
In verse 18 Paul talks about “present sufferings” and “future glory.” How does that tension help us understand the promise of verse 28?
Paul describes creation and believers as “groaning” while waiting for redemption (vv. 22–23). What does this teach us about the world we live in — and about the kind of hope Christians have?
Romans 8:28 doesn’t say God causes everything, but that he works through everything. How does that distinction help us when we face pain, tragedy, or injustice?
Think of Joseph’s story in Genesis 50:20 (“You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good”). How does his life illustrate the truth of Romans 8:28?
At the end of Romans 8 (vv. 38–39), Paul says nothing can separate us from God’s love. Why is it important that our hope is not in circumstances turning out well, but in God being with us through them?
Ben said, “Life is messy — but we can praise God in the mess because we know in whom we trust.” Pray that you might hold on to hope in the mess right now.
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“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow me.”
How should we view our possessions? So we really have to be willing to give away everything?Study Questions
Read Mark 10:17-30.
What car do you think Jesus would drive?
In verse 18, Jesus asks, “Why do you call me good?”. What do you think he wanted the man to understand through his question?
Why do you think Jesus listed several commandments before telling the man to sell his possessions?
Read Mark 10:25. Do you think Jesus meant it is very hard or impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of God? Why?
According to 1 Timothy 6:17, how should we use and view our wealth?
Jesus identified one area in which the man hadn’t put God first. What happens if we fail to put God first in every aspect of our lives?
Do you have to be wealthy for money to become a kind of “god” in your life? What might that look like for different people?
Many of us think having more money would solve our problems. If you suddenly had much more, how might it affect your trust in God or your priorities?
Pray that God would reveal anything in our lives that competes with Him — and give us the courage to surrender it fully.
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“These are the animals you may eat…”
Why does the Old Testament include such detailed food laws and clothing restrictions? We’ll explore their meaning in Israel’s story, and consider whether they have any relevance for us today.→ Discover the full episode soon
Study Questions
Read Leviticus 11.
What is the funniest old testament law you have heard of?
Read Exodus 40:35 and Numbers 1:1. What was Moses able to do after the book of Leviticus that he couldn’t do before?
Why did God want his people to be holy?
In what areas of your life does being a Christian make you stand out?
In what areas of your life do you ‘blend in’?
Read Mark 15:37-38. God’s presence on earth was behind the curtain. What was the significance of it being torn?
God doesn’t just choose to ignore our unholy actions, He can’t see them. Why not?
Orthodox Jews are those who still follow the Old Testament laws, such as those found in Leviticus. Both Orthodox Jews and whole-hearted Christians live lives that are distinct from the culture around them. How does their motivation to be distinct differ from each other?
Pray for a fresh revelation of the difference Jesus has already made, and commit an area to God where you would love to live more whole-heartedly for Him.
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“You must destroy them totally.”
A passage that raises deep ethical and theological questions. How do we approach texts that seem to endorse violence or even genocide? And what can they show us about God’s justice, holiness, and mercy?→ Discover the full episode soon