1) Listen to Podcast
2)GG Questions
06/09/2019
Some Doubted: Because you have seen…
John 20:24-29
1.Close Reading: After praying for God to enlighten your mind, read through John 20:24-29 a couple times, slowly. Look for these three things: LIGHTBULB – something that shines from the passage, draws your attention; QUESTION MARK – something difficult to understand; ARROW – a personal application. Share the results of your study with your group.
2. Seeing is Believing? : Unfortunately for Thomas, he missed Jesus’ first resurrection appearance and therefore adamantly insists, “Unless I see … I will never believe” (20:25). In a culture which no longer takes the existence of God for granted, Thomas’ words sound all the more reasonable. Have you ever felt like Thomas, tired of walking by faith and wanting for once a little evidence hold onto? What does Hebrews 11 teach us about faith in things “unseen” (Heb. 11:1, 3, 7, 13, 26-27)?
3. Jesus Visits Thomas : Compare Thomas’ request (20:25) with Jesus’ response (20:27). How perfectly does Jesus fulfill Thomas’ desire? Initial faith would have been the proper response from Thomas, but Jesus meets Thomas exactly where he is and gives him exactly what he needs. What do you need right now? Tell your GG and pray together that God would be patient and compassionate with you as He was with Thomas.
4. Confession : The gospel of John contains a number of impressive confessions (1:34, 49; 4:42; 11:27), but the confession of Thomas tops them all: “My Lord and my God!” (20:28). The history of Christianity is marked with confessions of belief, starting in biblical times (1 Cor. 15:3-8; 1 Tim. 3:16) and continuing through the Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, Heidelberg Catechism, and countless others. Write your own confession. It doesn’t have to be long or all-inclusive. Rather, make it personal, like Thomas’ “MY Lord and MY God.” What will you confess as true in the midst of turmoil or persecution?
