Luke 1:18-20 “Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” (NLT=New Living Translation)

1. Why do we have doubt believing God?

• Too many years of

Luke 1:7 “They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.” (NLT)

Luke 1:13” But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer.” (NLT)

• Current circumstances appear

Luke 1:18 “Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” (NLT)

• We refuse to believe in the

even when it’s in front of us

Zechariah - How can I be sure this will happen?

Luke 1:19 “Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!” (NLT)

2. How can we move beyond our doubts?

• Know God’s

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (ESV=English Standard Version)

•

on God’s word

John 8:32 “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (ESV)
Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the LORD is good.” (NLT)

• See faith as

• Learn from the

of others

Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (NLT)

• Remember the

of unbelief are worse

Luke 1:20 “But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” (NLT)

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Discussion Questions:

1. Share how you have experienced doubts believing God in specific areas during your spiritual journey.
   

2. How do you relate to Zechariah’s story and his own doubts? How have years of disappointment and impossible circumstances impacted your faith?
   

3. Five ways were given to help us grow our faith and move beyond our doubts. Discuss each one and how it helps us grow our faith. Share any personal experiences as well with each one.
   

4. Do you have some tough circumstances that are challenging your faith? How does God want to help you move beyond your doubts?
   

5. Spend time in prayer as a group praying into the hard circumstances of each other and asking God to reveal Himself in that disappointment.