Who was Thomas?
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
MEMORY VERSE
What does the word "doubt" mean?
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Think of some examples when you may have had moments of doubt
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How did you feel?
Doubt Disbelief, Unsure, Uncertainty, Fear, Confusion, Reluctance
Faith over Doubt
We all face moments of doubt. We sometimes wonder if God cares, if God hears us, if He listening-is it all true? Some people say that they don't believe in God because they can't physically see him with their eyes. Needing to see God or touch him in order for you to believe can cause doubt. Once doubt is born, it can grow. If doubt is fully grown, it can completely destroy our faith.
What is Faith? The Bible tells me that: Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance
about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1).
An example of faith is like going to bed and trusting you will wake up in the morning. Or think about every time you get in a car: you believe the car will take you to your destination. You do not worry about how the car works, you just believe it works.
Open your bible or click here
Read john 20:19-29
R E F L E C T I O N
We learned after reading that Thomas is one of Jesus’s disciples, who received the nick name: Doubting Thomas. Why was that? After Jesus resurrection he went to meet with his disciples to show them that he was alive. Thomas was not with the disciples when Jesus revealed himself. They joyfully shared the good news of the Messiah being alive with Thomas but he didn’t believe them. He doubted their words and expressed to them “I need to physically see him then I will believe.”
The next week Jesus met with them again and this time Thomas was present. Jesus showed Thomas his wounds on his hands and side. Jesus told Thomas, “stop doubting and believe.” Thomas then acknowledged God. But what is interesting is what Jesus tells him next, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
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If I tell you Jesus is alive and living inside those who believe through the Holy Spirit, would you believe or doubt?
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What makes you different from doubting Thomas?
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Do you need to physically to see him?
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Explain how we can tell there is a living God
Romans 1:20 says, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
We have been given testimony from the disciples who took part in writing the bible so you can learn about God’s amazing gift through Jesus. In order to grow in faith and relationship with the maker of everything we must BELIEVE. Doubting will rob you of seeing the miracles God does everyday for us.