Life Group Notes – March 27

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All Nations Church

Life Group Study

Doubt

Week of March 27^th,  2022

Study by Wayne Arcand

 

This week’s message focuses on the subject of doubt. We live in a world full of doubt as well as a world that requires us to exercise faith every day. Thomas would not believe Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw and touched Jesus. There is no faith required where we can confirm the existence or truth of something with our own senses. In faith we act, even when we have doubts. We doubt because we don’t see, or understand what is happening. In faith, we believe God is working in a situation according to his plan and timing, not ours. In faith, we believe that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 

1. How would you define “doubt”?
   1. When you doubt, does doubt lead to action or inaction? Give an example.
   2. Can doubt have a positive or negative impact on your life? Explain.
   3. Can faith and doubt co-exist in a believers life? Why or why not?
      1. What can we do when faced with doubt?

 

John 20:24-29 (NIV) Jesus Appears to Thomas ²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), 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.”

 

2. In John 20:24-29 we read the story of Thomas. He wasn’t too different from most of us when faced with something he didn’t understand. He doubted the story until he could verify what he was told. There was no faith required.
   1. Why do you think Thomas doubted what he was told?
   2. What do you think the group (disciples) dynamics would have been like with everyone except Thomas excited about having seen Jesus?
   3. Verses 26 to 29 are a great example of the graciousness of our God:
      1. What did Jesus do for Thomas?
      2. Why is verse 28 important?
   4. Read verse 29 and then read 2 Corinthians 5:7.
      1. How do these verses support one another?
      2. What does it mean to you to ‘live by faith’?

 

 

 

James 1: ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

 

3. What word or phrase would suggest the certainty of trials in our life?
   1. What is the purpose of the trials we experience?
   2. Discuss the character of a person who is ‘mature and complete’.

 

4. James 1:5 and 6:
   1. What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?
   2. What wisdom do you think you might pray for?
   3. What does doubt cause us to do?

 

5. Explain what is meant by James 1:7 and 8 in the context of this passage?

 

Luke 1(NIV): ¹¹ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 

¹⁸ Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

¹⁹ The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ²⁰ And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

 

6. The above verses from Luke 1, are the story of prayer, an answer to prayer, doubt and a consequence of doubt.
   1. What was the prayer?
      1. What was the answer to prayer?
      2. What was the source of doubt?

• What was the consequence to Zechariah?

1. How did this impact the fulfillment of the promise?
2. What is the lesson for us in these verses?

 

 

For Reflection:

In your quiet time this week, consider areas in your life where you may be experiencing doubt. As you consider today’s study, what have you learned that could have a positive impact on your life? If you are able to, listen to the hymn, “Take it to the Lord in Prayer”, and just quietly worship the Lord and allow Him to speak to your heart.