ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT ?
Can you remember times when you found yourself thinking “Are you sure about that”. Times you are glad you did ? Times you wish it hadn’t stopped you? (i.e.have you bungy jumped, fallen for a scam etc)
Buechner says “Whether your faith is that there is a God or that there is not a God, if you don’t have any doubts, you are either kidding yourself or asleep. Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving. Doubt is the ants in the pants of faith.” What is he trying to say ? Do you agree ?
The story of Thomas and the resurrected Jesus starts in John 20:19- 23. Read it out loud. What was taht like for the disciples. What links to to the other gospels endings can you see ?
Read John 20:24-26. If you were thomas would you have believed ? Why ? Why not ? What stories of events have you been told that you have found yourself doubting ?
Read John 20:27-29
Does Jesus blame Thomas for doubting ?
When Thomas says “My Lord and My God”. John starts by talking about God (john 1:1-2) and this looks like the end of John (some bibles title Chapter 21 as a epilogue). Working through Thomas’ doubts leads him to a stronger faith statement than any other disciple.
What doubts might you need to bring to Jesus ? How can you work them through together ?