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STARTER
(In pairs for 5 minutes)
Describe how you felt when you had to trust another person.
WORSHIP
READ PASSAGE ALOUD
(Try and experience the feelings that Thomas would have had.)
RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)
PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions in silence 10 minutes)
COMMENTARY
Thomas, who was absent when Jesus first appeared to the apostles in the locked upper room, refused to believe that the Lord had risen. Now, Jesus speaks to Thomas and tells him, "Examine my hands, put your finger into the wound in my side, do not persist in your unbelief, but believe." Thomas moves from unbelief to belief. Thomas saw and believed and new life was given to him. We who have not seen and have believed have also been given new life (v.29). The gift of the Holy Spirit within those who believe testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. (See Romans 8: 11). (Baranowski)
See, Jesus, thy disciples see
The promised blessing give
Met in thy name, we look to thee,
Expecting to receive
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Whom now we seek, O may we meet!
Jesus the crucified,
Show us thy bleeding hands and feet
Thou, who for us hast died.
Wesley H&P 763
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PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Initially just reflect on the question that chooses you. It may help to clarify your thinking to make notes in the spaces provided. This will also give you material to reflect on in the future)
1. What verse in this reading speaks to you? What is God saying to you?
2. Share a time when you felt doubt and abandonment. How was God present or not present for you?
3. What do you wish Jesus would show you in order to deal with your doubt?
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Discuss in triplets / pray for each other -25 minutes)
LIFE FOCUS
(Discuss in whole group-15 minutes)
4. How can we help those people whose lives are filled with doubt?
5. What practical outcome is there from our reflection?
Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?
GROUP MEMORY TIME
(Review the actions you agreed to carry out at previous meetings)
REVIEW TIME
Does this group help you to deal with your doubts?
Are there issues of doubt that the group needs to address?
PRAYER TIME
You could pray for members of the group who are troubled by doubt.
You could pray for your community that people might discover the risen Christ.
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