2.26.23 Huddle

Onelifechurch - February 25, 2023

Opening Discussion:

Talk about a time when you misjudged someone. What changed your opinion? Why did you have a wrong view of them in the first place?

John 1:15 NIV

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)

Matthew 11:2-3 NIV

2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Why is John the Baptist confident of who Jesus is at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, but having doubts in the Matthew passage?
What was it about Jesus’ deeds that made John question the validity of Jesus?
How could John’s circumstances of being in prison and relying on other people’s information played into his doubts?
What circumstance in your life right now makes you question God’s truth and goodness?
What did John do to seek the truth for his questions?
When you have doubts or concerns about your faith, how do you go about finding the truth?

Matthew 11:4-10

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way before you.’

How did Jesus respond to John’s doubt?
What does Jesus mean by the phrase, “blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me?”
Why is Jesus a stumbling block for some?
Jesus points John’s disciples to what they can see and hear. What can you point someone to today who may doubt Jesus?
Why wasn’t Jesus upset that John was having doubts?
How did Jesus show honor to John?
Who is someone in your life that has some doubts about Jesus? How can you show them honor?

Apply it!

When you or someone you know has doubts, what is one thing you can do to walk through that in a healthy way?

Memorize it!

Matthew 11:4-5

Prayer TACOS

Thank the Lord for walking us through our doubts instead of condemning us

Adoration- Worship the Lord for being a personal God that we can know

Confess to those times when you have dismissed people because of their doubts, or didn’t help walk them through it

Others- Pray for those who are doubting and struggling with their faith. Ask the Lord to show you how you can help them walk through those doubts.

Self- Ask the Lord to send godly people in your life that will help you in your times of doubt.

Closing Thoughts

Doubts aren’t bad. In 1 John 4:1-2 we are told, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God…”

We are to have a healthy level of doubt and skepticism, especially when it comes to things that go against the word of God.

On the other hand, we need to handle our doubts in a healthy manner. Don’t deal with your doubts alone. Talk to people who are further along in their faith journey than you. Look for answers instead of just letting your doubts linger. Pray through the process. Seek the Lord’s wisdom in your doubts.

Do the same for others. For those who are doubting, help them walk through it. Do so with humility and not just dismissing their doubts, but helping them navigate through it. When we do this for one another, we will come through to the otherside with a much deeper and richer faith.