Elemental Season 1 - End of Week 1

INTRO
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion. Feel free to add or subtract or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN
When you were a child, was there something you believed in with all your heart that you later learned wasn’t real?  If so, share what it was and how you felt when you found out the truth?

HEAD
Read John 20: 24-29 and Matthew 28: 16-20 together and share any wisdom, insights, or questions in response to the reading.

In the story of the resurrected Jesus and Thomas, how do you think the disciples who had seen Jesus responded to Thomas’ doubt?  

Why do you think it was so hard for Thomas to believe even after the testimony of his friends?Do you think Thomas might have been more predisposed to doubt than the other disciples?  His temperament and personality?

How did Jesus respond to Thomas’ doubt?  What can we learn from this about faith and doubt as it relates to how Jesus see’s us?

In Matthew 28, we typically refer to verses 18-20 as the Great Co-Mission (that’s how we say it at Crosswalk anyway).  But in verse 17, we learn something interesting about those gathered.  In the Greek, a better translation is, “they worshiped him and they doubted him.”  How could these people see what they saw and still doubt?

What did Jesus say about their doubt in verses 18-20?

What might this teach us about faith, doubt, and the questions we bring to the table?

HEART
Do you think faith and doubt are opposites?  Explain.

Do you know anyone who seems to have never doubted or questioned their faith?  What is their faith like?  How stable do you think it is if storms were to come there way?

What are some of the ways Jesus might come to us today, as He did Thomas, when we have doubts?

HANDS
Is there anything in your life of faith that you’ve been holding back on because of your doubts?  Take some time to really think.  Or are their questions you have, doubts even, that you feel are keeping you from growing?  List these out and present them to God, if you can.  Know that He meets you in your questions.  He’s not afraid of them.  It’s ok to have questions, remember, whether you believe it or not, God is with you even in your doubts.

WORDS TO LIVE BY
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9 NLT