Before We Get Started

For our discussion today we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at mosaicchurchaustin.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.

Prayer

Because the main goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for, or  anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together.

This Week’s Topic

Today, we continue our new series, launched on Easter Sunday, titled Not Alone. In this series we will be looking at how the Gospel gives us the promise of God’s presence, and the blessing of one another, as we go through life in the midst of a broken world. No matter how difficult life might get, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus reminds us we are not alone

Today’s Topic

Not Alone in Doubt

Discussion Questions

Have you ever had doubts when it comes to your faith? 

Psalm 73:1-3

“Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

What might cause someone to doubt the existence of God? 

Why would that reason cause such doubt?

What role do you think the opinions of others play in our doubt?

What role do you think our emotions, and/or desires,  play in our doubt?

C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

When writing about the pain and the doubt that he struggled with after losing his life to cancer, C.S. Lewis says:

“Not that I am (I think) in much danger of ceasing to believe in God. The real danger is of coming to believe such dreadful things about Him. The conclusion I dread is not “So there’s no God after all,” but “So this is what God’s really like. Deceive yourself no longer.””

Is it easier to doubt or to trust and believe? Why?

Can doubt be helpful? If so, how?

Can doubt be harmful? If so, how?

John 20:24-29

“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””

Luke 1:30-31,34-35

“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God.” 

Is doubt sin?

How did the angel respond to Mary’s doubt?

How did Jesus respond to Thomas’ doubt?

What does God want us to do with our doubts then?

Closing Thought

Romans 5:6-8

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  

How can we know that God is who He says He is, will do what He said He will do, and loves us the way He says He loves us?