Doubting God's Goodness

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INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In 5 minutes or less, briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

•Was there anything in this week’s sermon that stood out to you? Briefly share.
•Have you been through any painful circumstances that have caused you to doubt God’s goodness? Did you ever feel the Lord shed any light on those circumstances?

SCRIPTURE STUDY

John 9:1-12

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
12 “Where is this man?” they asked him.
“I don’t know,” he said.

•(V. 1 & 2) What did the disciples ask Jesus about the man born blind? Place yourself in this scene. What would you think of their question? Have you ever been told anything like this in association with some kind of suffering you were dealing with? Have you ever given an answer like this to someone else?
•Do you find it easier to conjure up suffering to someone’s sin rather then exploring the complexities of suffering in this world? Do you ever try to assign blame to your own or someone else’s suffering? Please discuss…
•(v.3-5) How does Jesus answer the disciple’s question? Summarize his answer.
•In order to be at peace with only a partial understanding of why pain and suffering exist, what do you need? What can you do to pursue these things?
•In Rich’s sermon he pointed out that pain is often a result of corruption and things we do to each other. So sin does play a role in suffering, but according to this passage that doesn’t have to be the whole story. What does suffering always provide an opportunity for?
•Do you find the concept of suffering being used for God’s glory a difficult one? Has you ever seen Jesus shed light on a painful circumstance that you did not understand? Have you seen the Lord use suffering for a greater glory in your life?
•(v. 6&7) What does Jesus do? How does he heal the blind man? What does Jesus ask the blind man to do? Why would Jesus ask a blind man to go on a journey to the Pool of Siloam? Please discuss…
• (v. 8-12) After the healing took place, describe the man’s interactions with his neighbors

MINISTRY APPLICATION

Below you’ll see some options for ministry time with your group. We always encourage you to reserve time in your group to pray for one another and wait on the Holy Spirit.

•In what situations are you quick to have a pity explanation for someone’s misfortune? Repent and pray and relinquish your judge’s robe to the Lord. Over the next week, take note of how this shift impacts your relationships with God and others.
•Take some time to praise the Lord for those seasons when, through suffering, “the work of God” was displayed on you.

Doubting God's Existence Part 2

Click here to download the Study Guide in PDF
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In 5 minutes or less, briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

• Was there anything in this week’s sermon that stood out to you? Briefly share.
• Have you had any recent conversations with someone who’s wrestling with their faith? Briefly Share.
• When do you find yourself doubting the most? What have you done to ensure your doubts don’t control you? Briefly Share.

SCRIPTURE STUDY

Read John 20: 24-29(TNIV):
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. 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; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

•V. 25, What did the disciples say to Thomas and how did he respond? Why do you think he said what he did? What does this say about where his heart is at the time? In what ways do you take an “I’ll believe it when I see it approach to spiritual matters the way Thomas did?
•When you have been in times of doubt how has the faith and testimony of others been significant?
•What kind of environment does Jesus enter into in verse 26? What does he first say to the disciples? What does this reveal about God’s heart for us when we are questioning and struggling with doubt? Do you know people who struggle with doubt regularly? What can you learn from the way Jesus interacts with Thomas and how can you apply that to the way you address people who have doubts about there faith?
• Jesus comes through a locked door to meet the disciples where they are. This is a great picture of the Lord “breaking through” areas of our life that we try to “lock” Him out of. Are there areas of life that you have closed off to the Lord? What are some of the doubts that you have that may be a hindrance to the Lord? Have you ever experienced Jesus entering into those areas of your life? Please share.
•How does Thomas react after touching Jesus’ wounds in verse 28? What does Jesus then say to him about unbelief? What does He mean when He says blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed? How can we be more like the blessed ones Jesus describes in verse 29? Briefly share.

MINISTRY APPLICATION

Below you’ll see some options for ministry time with your group. We always encourage you to reserve time in your group to pray for one another and wait on the Holy Spirit.

Doubting God’s Existence Part 1 (Romans 1.18-23)

Click here to download the Study Guide in PDF
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
Doubt has the power to erode our faith in God and/or prevent us from following Jesus in meaningful ways. Doubt can “trouble” us, but let us be like the sick boy’s father in Mark 9 who said to Jesus “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief”.
Pastor Rich said that the word “doubt” stems for the Latin word “dubitare”, which means two. To believe is to be in one mind; to accept and trust something as true. To disbelieve is also to be in one mind; to reject something. To doubt is to waiver between faith and unbelief; to be in two minds. The heart of doubt is double-mindedness; to have a divided heart.
It’s okay to have doubts, to ask questions, but we don’t want to become controlled by our doubts. Rather than “feed” our doubts, we should learn to “feed” our faith.
Tim Keller shared about a conversation where he steered a young man away from “airtight proofs” about the existence of God, by suggesting he “look for clues about God”. Pastor Rich said there are dozens and dozens of “pointers” to God.
The apostle Paul says in Romans 1, some look for evidence against God, because they’re fallen – and Pastor Rich would clarify by saying they’re “biased”. These biases often lead to all kinds of misguided conclusions about God and his relationship to us.
So why do we doubt? Past Rich said, sometimes our doubt in God stems not from honest questions but from a “prior commitment” that might need to be given up in order to follow Jesus. Romans 1:18-20 reveals we doubt because of immorality and self-interest. Sometimes our doubts stem from ingratitude (Rom 1:21). Unless we understand that what we’ve received is a gift and the proper response to that gift is gratitude - our faith can be undermined. We also doubt because of inadequate foundations. There are solid reasons for faith in God, but if we’ve never personally owned them and understood them – our faith can easily come under attack. We also may doubt because of identification. Sometimes association(s), not evidence or truth, keep us from God. We may doubt because of ignorance about God. Tom Wright retorts to an unbeliever, “which God don’t you believe in…?” Finally, we may doubt because of indifference – we become just too comfortable in our own world.

In 5 minutes or less, briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

• Was there anything in this week’s sermon that stood out to you? Briefly share.
• Have you had any recent conversations with someone who’s wrestling with their faith? Briefly Share.
• When do you find yourself doubting the most? What have you done to ensure your doubts don’t control you? Briefly Share.

SCRIPTURE STUDY

Read Luke 24:13-35 (TNIV):
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Context
Jesus had risen. It was Easter Sunday and the Mary’s testimony (v. 10) followed by Peter’s encounter (v. 12) confirmed the tomb was indeed empty. Look in v.18 – apparently Jerusalem was abuzz with the news (at least in the travelers’ circle).
It’s interesting that the disciples weren’t prepared to believe the women who encountered the risen Jesus nor the Angels’ words (v. 11), but they were whom our savior chose to reveal himself to first. God almost always promotes people and values contrary to our cultural norms.

• For many, part of the process (if not a significant part) of coming to belief in Jesus depends on the testimony of others. Has the testimony of others played an important part in your faith journey? Why was their testimony(s) believable or not? Please share briefly
• Who are the main characters in this story ? Where does the encounter take place? (Emmaus is about 7 miles from Jerusalem). What was happening before Jesus came up (walked up)?
• V 15, Jesus “came up and walked with them”. Part of the appeal of this story, is how it can serve as a larger metaphor for many people’s own journey with Jesus. Jesus drew near to them – even though they were not necessarily seeking him. What biblical principle(s) does this illustrate? Have you been surprised recently by God meeting you in an unexpected place (or way)? Please share.
• When considering doubts or crises you’ve had in the past, have you ever experienced Jesus coming and walking with you through it? Please share.
• V 16. Apparently they did not recognize Jesus at first (other scriptural examples - Mt 28:17, Jn 20:14, Jn 21:4). Why might God allow this to occur? Have you ever encountered something similar, where you didn’t realize Jesus was with you or working on your behalf?
• Vv 17-24. What feelings can you pick up from the two travelers? What were their hopes? What were their doubts?
• What did they say about Jesus (v 19, 21)? Like the sermon, sometimes our “prior commitments” to a belief, or pattern(s) of thinking (Rom 12:1-3), can impede our full understanding and faith in Jesus – how have you overcome former patterns of thinking? What stood in the way, and how did you overcome?
• Vv.25-27 why didn’t Jesus just come out and say “it’s me guys, I’m right here”? Similar to the weekend’s sermon, sometimes our ignorance about God or scripture can keep us from full assurance in Jesus (apparently Jesus wanted to teach them from scripture). Has any particular teaching or insight been helpful in your walk to overcome real doubt(s)? Please share briefly.
• Vv 28-29 We know they still didn’t see Jesus for who he was, but “urged him to stay with them”. What does this interaction reveal about Jesus’ heart? One thing, is that God doesn’t leave us “in the dark” if we honestly seek him. Have you ever sought Jesus and he didn’t reveal himself? If so, please share. If not, what happened?
• Vv 30-31 What happens? Did something supernatural happen? Jesus in his infinite goodness will sometimes use supernatural circumstances to reveal himself and help us overcome our doubts – has this ever happened to you? Please share.
• Vv 32-35 What did the two travelers do next? When did you “know that you know” that Jesus was your savior? What did it lead you to do? If you haven’t been telling others about our Risen Lord, why not? Do doubts still remain?

MINISTRY APPLICATION

Below you’ll see some options for ministry time with your group. We always encourage you to reserve time in your group to pray for one another and wait on the Holy Spirit.

• In this story of the Road to Emmaus, the travelers’ perceptions, or patterns of belief about The Kingdom, were keeping them from seeing the Risen Christ. Do you feel like there is something keeping you from fully surrendering and relying on Christ? If so, share with someone and receive some prayer. Consider any “prior commitments” you might have.
• Have you been feeling like you can’t recognize Christ in your life recently? Share with another what’s been going on and get some prayer.
• Are there real questions you have about your faith or about reality of God? Share with someone what you’re wrestling with and ask if someone would go through a study or book with you (Keller’s Reason for God, or some other book).
• Is doubt limiting you from sharing you faith? Or lack of confidence in what you really believe? Share with another what you’re going through and pray for boldness and divine opportunities to tell others about our risen Lord.

Easter 2012 - Fully Restored (John 21:1-17)

Click here to download the Study Guide in PDF
Click here to download the Study Guide in WORD

INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
Every person has experienced failure at some point in their lives—personally, professionally, morally. Some people’s failures are bigger even more public than other people’s. Professional athletes experience failure all the time. They must learn how to move on and play the next game. So the question is how do we recover from our failures? How are we restored after blowing it?

In this week’s sermon, we considered the failure of Peter. According to the gospel accounts, Peter turned his back on his Best Friend in His time of greatest need. Peter didn’t offer a word of protest as Jesus was hauled away, beaten, abused and eventually crucified. Peter denied even knowing Him! (Refer to Mark 14) Peter’s failure was huge, but Peter was restored. What can we learn from his experience?

The fact of Peter’s huge failure should give us confidence to believe the biblical record, because the bible doesn’t “air-brush” its heroes! It doesn’t cover over their mistakes! The bible tells us the story of real people (warts and all) and their encounters with a real God. This is one of many reasons why we can believe the bible.

Step one in Peter’s restoration process was to recognize that he had a problem. After a night of unsuccessful fishing, the resurrected Christ approached the disciples on the beach and asked them how it was going (v.4-6). Peter admitted that things were not going well—they had worked all night but hadn’t caught anything. When God asks us, in the midst of our failures, how life is working for us, we must face reality, be honest and admit things are not going well!

Step two for Peter was to recognize that God can do what no one else can do. He brings success out of total failure. We believe things are hopeless yet God has a plan. Jesus instructed Peter to throw the nets out again on the other side and lo and behold, they land a huge catch of fish! Peter had to trust Jesus’ instructions. We also need to trust that God can turn things around for us in the midst of our failures.

Step three for Peter was to retrace his steps. How did he get to this place of devastation? How did Peter, “the Rock,” one of Jesus’ inner circle, turn from a courageous follower to a cowardly traitor? So three times, Jesus walked Peter through each of the denials (v.15-17). Before we can be healed, we need to cover the ground that led us into failure and away from God in the first place.

Fourth, Peter needed to release his shame. Guilt is what we feel when we have failed in the eyes of God but shame is what we feel when we have failed in the eyes of others. Jesus chose to walk Peter through this restoration on the beach with the other disciples present so that Peter was restored not only in the eyes of God, but also in the eyes of his brothers. We must be willing to release our feelings of shame before others in order to experience complete restoration. This often needs to happen in the context of community—God using other Christians to bring restoration in the midst of a failure.

Finally, Peter needed to receive the forgiveness Jesus was offering. Jesus understood public humiliation and shame because He was publicly shamed. He died for the guilt of sin AND the shame of sin. The Christian life must be personally apprehended—we must personally take for ourselves the gifts of forgiveness, healing and restoration that Jesus offers in order to experience them.

In 5 minutes or less, briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.

• Was there anything in this week’s sermon that stood out to you? Briefly share.
• Have you ever experienced a time of significant failure in your life? What happened? How did this affect your relationship with God? Your relationships with others?
• For you, what is the most challenging aspect of the restoration process? If you had been Peter, what would have been the hardest part of the whole experience?



SCRIPTURE STUDY

Read Luke 15:11-31 (TNIV):
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Background and context:

This well-known parable is one of three Jesus tells in response to the criticisms of Pharisees and teachers of the law about Jesus associating with sinners. Jesus often used parables in His teachings. Parables are stories from everyday life that have a spiritual message or meaning. They help to illustrate for us spiritual truths that we might otherwise not understand.

Questions for discussion:

• What is the basic story line of this parable? Who are the players and what happens? How ordinary to you think this scenario is? Have you seen similar things happening with people today? Discuss.
• Put yourself in the place of the younger son. What was his thinking process that led to his failure? What caused him to turn around? In what ways is this son similar to Peter? Compare their two experiences.
• Now consider the father. What are some things that stand out about the father’s behavior? How does the father handle the son’s guilt? The son’s shame? How does the father fully restore the son?
• Finally, look at the older brother. How does he feel about his brother’s restoration and why? Describe how the father relates to this son. Is the father “fair” in his dealings with his two boys? Discuss.
• Who do you identify with most in this parable and why? What do you believe God is saying to you right now through this parable—what truth does He want you to embrace? What step of obedience do you think He wants you to take?

MINISTRY APPLICATION

Below you’ll see some options for ministry time with your group. We always encourage you to reserve time in your group to pray for one another and wait on the Holy Spirit.

• In this parable, the father represents God. Perhaps there are some here who have never pictured God as a loving, forgiving, accepting and restoring Father. Often this is due to past experiences that distort our view of God. The bible is meant to bring God into clearer focus for us, so that we see Him as He really is. Take some time to pray for anyone who may need to renounce false perspectives of God and experience His great love and mercy.
• Some people here may feel like the younger son—off in a “far country” away from the Father’s house. Perhaps they feel a need to “come to their senses” and admit where they are and their need for help. This may even involve some sense of shame before others for their failures. It takes great humility and honesty, but this is an opportunity for the Lord to begin real restoration.
• It is very common for Christians to struggle with being “elder brothers.” We must admit that we are often much like the Pharisees in the New Testament. Perhaps there are some here that have felt conviction from the Holy Spirit because of God’s gracious and generous restoration of someone who is, in their mind, a total failure and doesn’t deserve a second chance! We must always strive to become more and more like Jesus, who is like the father in the parable. Pray for those who are struggling with this in their lives.
• Finally, there are probably some who are, like the father, waiting for a loved one who is currently off in the “far county” and have yet to “come to their senses.” Pray for patience and trust for those who are waiting, and for the grace of repentance for those who are prodigal.