5.5.24 Huddle
Opening Discussion
- When have you doubted something, but then later found out it was true?
Shortened Version
Read and Discuss
John 20:19-23
19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
- How do you think the disciples felt at this moment?
- What happened to the disciples as a result of this encounter?
- When was there a moment when everything in your life changed for the better?
John 20:24-31
24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even 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 and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”
28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
- Why did Thomas not believe the other disciples’ story about Jesus?
- Was Thomas being realistic or stubborn?
- When you have doubts about something, what proof would help you believe?
Discipleship Questions
- What doubts did you have to overcome before following Jesus?
- When you have doubts or questions about your faith where or who do you turn to?
- What can you do this week to share the love of Christ with others?
Extended Version
Read and Discuss
John 20:19-23
19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
- How do you think the disciples felt at this moment?
- What happened to the disciples as a result of this encounter?
- When was there a moment when everything in your life changed for the better?
- How does the Holy Spirit impact your daily life?
- What are some ways you can live out the peace that Jesus gives?
John 20:24-31
24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even 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 and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”
28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
- Why did Thomas not believe the other disciples’ story about Jesus?
- Was Thomas being realistic or stubborn?
- Why did Thomas want to touch the wounds of Christ?
- Why wasn’t just seeing Jesus enough for Thomas?
- What are some proofs that people want today that Jesus came back to life?
- When you have doubts about something, what proof would help you believe?
- What proof is there that Jesus actually did come back to life?
- What are some resources that you could look at or point people to who may have doubts about Jesus and Him coming back to life?
Discipleship Questions
- What doubts did you have to overcome before following Jesus?
- When you have doubts or questions about your faith where or who do you turn to?
- What can you do this week to share the love of Christ with others?
Memorize it!
John 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Prayer TACOS
Thanksgiving- Give thanks to the Lord for loving us through our doubts
Adoration- Worship God for being personal and loving
Confess to the times when you have used doubt as an excuse to sin
Others- pray for someone who is having trouble believing in Jesus. Ask that He would give you an opportunity to talk with them this week
Self- Ask the Lord to help you to seek Him when you have doubts.