John 20:24-29 (NIV)
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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.”
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!” 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.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
- What new possibilities does this “newness” provide for us?
- How does this compare to a caterpillar and a butterfly?
- Why did Thomas view the resurrection as impossible in John 20:24-29?
- What changed his mind?
- In John 20:28 Thomas discovers that Jesus is alive. What new possibilities did this present him with?
- Do you have new possibilities as a result of the resurrection?
In this passage we see the disciples in a time between the Resurrection and Pentecost. They were gathered together in a house behind locked doors. They knew their messiah had rose from the dead, but they weren’t sure what was going to happen next.
- In that environment, do you think they were able to LOVE OTHERS well? What do you think that may have looked like?
- Is it possible that they could have DISCOVERED JOY by loving Jesus and each other while not necessarily being happy about their physical environment, political situation, and uncertain future?