WEEK THREE – FINAL THOUGHTS
Insights on Doubting Thomas: John 20:19-30 (NIV)
(As a reference, this passage is repeated at the end of this section.)
NOTE TO GROUP LEADER: This is the final week on Insights on Doubting Thomas. It is a time for personal reflection and to share our overall sense of the impact of this experience of doubt… to allow the group to consider if this event and this discussion have affected our lives and how we live from day to day. Allow the discussion to flow freely so that the individuals in the group feel that they have been heard. Try to ensure that all members of the group have had an opportunity to share their thoughts. Do not insist that a person share but offer him or her the opportunity. The closing reflection and prayer may be read by the Group Leader, or one or two members of the group may be asked to read aloud. (Items needed: Closing Reflection, Discussion Questions, Lyrics to “If Jesus Comes Tomorrow” by Owen Mac)
Closing Reflection and Prayer:
In today’s world, with all the tragedies that we face, with all the uncertainties of life – threat of war, financial ruin, health challenges, we feel vulnerable. We feel lost, not knowing what our next step should be. It is no wonder that some of us begin to doubt the very presence of Jesus. We lose sight that our journey has only just begun and that our goal is the kingdom of God in heaven.
Thomas was honest when he told the other disciples that he needed proof to believe that Jesus had risen. In our search for faith and truth, we often need to investigate, to be open to the possibilities. We need to express that need, those questions, that curiosity, that doubt to Jesus honestly. He understands these struggles and appreciates our struggles and will acknowledge them.
Like Thomas, we too will be met by Jesus when we are struggling and at the point of need. He will show us his hands and his feet and let us touch Him as proof that He is real. He will let us touch Him and guide us to a place of faith, peace and hope.
If we open ourselves to His presence, His availability, and His desire to give us peace, like Thomas, we will be able to proclaim, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) in full confidence that Jesus is here and He will comfort us.
Let us pray:
Dearest Lord,
I have doubted you in my life. I have questioned you
and asked you why people suffer, why my family suffers?
Are you really there?
Sometimes I can’t see you… I can’t hear you… I can’t feel you… I can’t touch you.
Sometimes I am afraid. Afraid for my family. Afraid for the future. Afraid of my vulnerabilities.
I wonder. Do you hear me?
Dearest Lord,
Bring peace into my life. Bring peace into this world.
Give me the faith to believe that you are here
and you are the one in control.
Help me to grow in that trust in You,
To give my family and friends the confidence to know
that in You all things are possible.
Take away my doubts.
Fill me with your comforting love
and the spirit that will lift me out of doubt and into your loving arms.
Come to me. Comfort me. Give me peace.
Closing song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG7dSpx2-00
James Kilbane: If Jesus Comes Tomorrow
If Jesus comes tomorrow to spend some time with you
Would you answer all His questions or lie to hide the truth?
Would you welcome Him with open arms or even let Him in?
If Jesus comes tomorrow what then?
If Jesus calls your number could you leave today?
Are you ready to lay down your worldly goods and walk away?
Would it take a month of Sundays just to tell Him of your sin?
If Jesus comes tomorrow what then?
If the sky turns black as midnight in the middle of the day
And somehow you knew that Jesus would soon be on His way
Would you have to beg forgiveness?
Or could you reach out and take His hand?
If Jesus comes tomorrow what then?
If the sky turns black as midnight in the middle of the day
And somehow you knew that Jesus would soon be on His way
Would you have to beg forgiveness?
Or could you reach out and take His hand?
If Jesus comes tomorrow what then?
If Jesus comes tomorrow what then?
Closing discussion questions:
- What thoughts did you have as you read the final reflection? Can you identify with some of these doubts or concerns? Which ones? Explain.
- What thoughts did you have as you heard the closing song?
- If you were told that Jesus would come tomorrow, would you doubt? Why? Why not?
- If Jesus were to come tomorrow, what would you do? How would you prepare?
- What would your prayer be if you knew that Jesus would come tomorrow?
- Reflect on the last three weeks of bible study. Share your spiritual and emotional journey. What questions did you have? What concerns did you address? Did you gain any insights or have questions answered?
- Closing Question for “Insights on Doubting Thomas”: Have these three weeks of Bible Study given you any sense of wellness, a sense of hope? If so, how? If not, why not?
NOTE TO GROUP LEADER: At the end of the session, you may want to allow the group to have a few moments for open commentary and thoughts about the session and what it may have meant for them.
John 20: 19-30 (NIV)
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.