Sermon Study Guide | Series: Benefit of the Doubt | Sermon: Thomas wasn’t wrong |
Scripture: John 20:24-29, Matt 28:16-17, Matt 14:30-31 | Date: September 28, 2025

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

Doubt is something every one of us faces at some point—whether it’s big questions about God, or little everyday things like printers, kids being “ready,” or football teams being any good. Doubt isn’t a problem to be avoided, but a portal that can lead us into a deeper encounter with Jesus.

Think back on a season of your life when you wrestled with doubts or questions about faith. What emotions did that bring up for you—fear, shame, curiosity, or maybe even relief that you could be honest? Share with your group

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

Read John 20:24–29 together.

• Thomas refused to fake it—he wanted to be honest about what he couldn’t believe yet. Why do you think honesty about our doubts is so important in the life of faith?
  
  
• In the story, the disciples didn’t try to argue Thomas into belief—they simply kept him close. How have others walked with you (or how have you walked with others) through doubt without judgment?
  
  
• Jesus meets Thomas personally in his doubt. How do you see Jesus respond to your own doubts—gently, challengingly, with invitation?
  
  
• Think about the examples given in the message:
  
  • Abraham & Sarah (Genesis 17:17; 18:12)
  • Gideon (Judges 6:36–40)
  • John the Baptist (Matthew 11:2–3)
  • Peter (Matthew 14:30; 26:69–75)
  • The other Disciples (Matthew 28:16–17)
    
    • Which of these doubting stories resonates mostly deeply with you? why?
    • What does it mean to you that so many heroes of faith had moments of uncertainty?
    • When have you seen God turn a season of questions into a deeper faith?
      

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• Set a timer for ten minutes this week to ask God the question you’ve been too scared to say out loud. 
  
  • Write it down and pray honestly about it.
    
    
• Share one honest question with your group or a trusted friend. 
  
  • How might bringing doubts into the light actually strengthen your faith and community?
    
    
• Think about someone in your life who is wrestling with doubt. 
  
  • What would it look like for you to walk with them patiently instead of trying to fix them?
    
    
• Each Sunday, we are invited—like Thomas—to come close to the body of Christ, to touch and see. 
  
  • How might worship and communion be a way God meets you in your questions?
    
    

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

Jesus, you are not afraid of our doubts. You know the questions in our hearts before we ever speak them out loud. Help us to be honest with you and with one another. Give us the courage to bring our doubts into the light and the patience to walk with others in theirs. Meet us in our questions, like you met Thomas, and show us again that you are our Lord and our God. Amen.

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