Word from Wiese

Thomas & Doubt (or Honesty?)

Thomas & Doubt (or Honesty?)

Colorful Characters Lenten Journey, 2025

Discussion Guide #1

12 March 2025

Dear Faith Friend,

God’s blessings on the first full week of our Lenten journey. Please use the following as a personal devotional or a small group discussion guide.

If you are searching for a Color Crew discussion group, feel free to join those led by Pastor Fritz: Wednesdays at 7 PM in Conference Room after 6.30 devotional. Or Thursday via Zoom. ID: 889-1717-8375. Password:  color.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”  Matthew 18.20

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”  Romans 12.15

Thomas & Doubt (or Honesty) Word From Wiese

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • THANKS EVERYONE for making time to be part of what God is doing in our “Colorful Character” series.
  • Thank you, leader, for pulling this Color Crew together.

Let’s Get Started! Let’s warm up. Share your name and what service at COS you attend most frequently. Then share what your favorite color was growing up.

Opening prayer: Thanks God for gathering us together for these fun and holy 30 minutes.   We know our world can feel pretty gray at times. Thanks for helping us feel more colorful when your Spirit gathers us in your Word, promises, and people. Bless this devotional time together that the story of biblical character might lend color and clarity to our own faith journey with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Discuss:

  1. It turns out we started our Lenten journey with a character we typically don’t talk about until Easter. Since Thomas was not with the disciples when the risen Jesus appeared to them that first Easter evening, Thomas is brutally honest and declares that he won’t believe Jesus is alive unless he feels the wounds in Jesus’ hands and sides. (John 20) This announcement leads to his infamous moniker, “Doubting Thomas.” If you were a lawyer and had to choose, would you prefer to defend Thomas or prosecute him? Why?
  2. Many argue that Thomas’ doubt was so strong because he knew if the resurrection was true, the world and his future life would drastically change! Although we could spend hours on this, try to quickly describe how our lives are different because of Jesus’ resurrection.
  3. What is an example in life when doubt is healthy?
  4. What is an example in life when doubt is harmful?
  5. A 2017 Barna Group study found that 65%of self-identified American Christians admitted to experiencing doubt about their faith. Similarly, 50% of Christians say they have gone through a ‘prolonged’ period of doubt at some point in their life.  What do you make of these stats? Are you surprised that 100% of Christians don’t admit periodic doubts?
  6. In her Sunday sermon, Pastor Anna celebrated how Jesus found Thomas and appeared to him, despite his doubts. (John 20.26-29) What does that story mean for how Jesus will interact with us amid our doubts?
  7. Pastor Anna also challenged us to show up for others in their doubts just as Jesus showed up for Thomas amid his. Can you give an example of how you’ve received support from others in times of doubt or how you’ve tried to support others in issues of faith?
  8. Check out this testimony about Thomas, doubt and honesty from April Peterson
  9. In her faith testimony via video, April Peterson shared how doubt almost prevented her from taking on her new job of preschool director. Can you share a time of doubt in your life and God helped you overcome it?
  10. Studies suggest that today’s Americans, especially young people, hold some of the lowest trust levels for institutions and leaders in decades. Such skepticism translates into lower church attendance. (According to Gallup, in the past 20 years the share of U.S. adults who express a “great deal/quite a lot” of confidence in the church or organized religion has fallen from 53% to 32%.). Is there anything about Thomas’ story with Jesus that informs how we can reach out to neighbors who distrust or find little value in faith communities?
  11. Another key moment in Thomas’ story was when he had the guts to challenge Jesus. In John 14, Jesus is preparing the disciples for his upcoming death and departure. Here is the exchange, “(Jesus said) 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”  5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Thanks to Thomas’ honesty about his confusion, Jesus shares one of the most memorable lines of his ministry! Can you think of a similar time in your life, when honestly sharing your doubts or confusion led to something wonderful?
  12. Bonus question: Pastor Anna shared some advice a mentor offered her: “feel the feel.” Or be OK in experiencing your feelings, whether embracing your doubt and confusion or gladness and hope. Reaction?
  13. Bonus question: What hasn’t been explored in this discussion that you would like to share?

 

Closing Prayer: Dear Lord, thanks again for these holy moments, either by myself or with this small group of friends. Thanks for your disciple, Thomas. Help us see our moments of doubt as evidence that our hopes have been triggered, and that we should pay attention to what’s going on inside our spirits. When our lives feel gray may you infuse them–when you see fit—with an awareness of color and new conviction of your love and purpose in our lives. Lead us this holy Lenten journey to your Son and his cross. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanks everyone!

See you at tonight’s Lenten dinner at 5:30pm & the worship service directly following dinner at 6:30pm!