THE EYES OF DOUBT

Without the cross, the Gospel can’t be understood.

Without the resurrection, the Gospel should not be

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.

UNDERSTANDING DOUBT: (20:1-23)

It’s no surprise that many people struggle with

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.

Sometimes we doubt because of a gap between…
the facts and our

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.
our expectations and our
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.

Jesus is kind to respond to our doubts with a demonstration of

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and the assurance of
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.

DEALING WITH DOUBT: (20:24-31)

Even to the

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, Jesus is gracious and kind.

To effectively deal with doubts you should…

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your doubt in a Christian faith community.

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your doubt as an alternative faith commitment.

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your doubts with unreasonable faith conditions.

With the resurrection, you’re not rejecting an idea but a

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and new life in his name. (John 30:31)

Your faith doesn’t have to be strong, just properly

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.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

  1. Why is the resurrection so crucial to the truth of the Christian faith? How would you explain this to a non-believing friend?

  2. Mary, Peter & John had different responses to the empty tomb. Which response do you most identify with and why?

  3. Sometimes doubt is intellectual. Sometimes it is emotional. Which of these two resonate most with you? How have you worked through it?

  4. Jesus responds to both types of doubt in two different ways. Why so? Why is this important?

  5. The message talks about “begrudging believers.” Have you ever struggled to believe because you didn’t have the same experience as others?

  6. What does it look like practically to process doubts within Christian community rather than in isolation? Why is this so important? How can we cultivate that kind of culture?

  7. “Doubt is never neutral.” What alternate faith commitments might lie behind some common doubts or objections to Christianity?

  8. Share about a time you suspended an unrealistic demand or expectation that was hindering your faith. What enabled you to do this, and how did your faith grow as a result?

  9. How would you summarize the core historical facts surrounding the resurrection? Which of these facts is most compelling to you personally and why?

  10. How does this relational understanding of the Christian faith challenge and/or encourage you?