Doubting When Faith Doesn’t Make Sense
Is believing in Christianity like believing in a fairy tale? This is a question from intellectual doubt. And the good news is that God helps us deal with these doubts.
Talking Points:
- Doubt isn’t a new problem for people. Some of Jesus’ friends doubted him, the most famous of whom example is Thomas. John 20:25
- God wants us to engage our minds when it comes to faith. This means that it is ok to have questions because God is not intimidated by your skepticism. God is secure in who he is. He can handle your doubts. Isaiah 1:18
- Take responsibility to seek out the answers to your questions. Don’t just ask them without looking for the answers. If you seek out the answers to life’s most important questions, you will be rewarded, just like Thomas was.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Have you ever had intellectual doubts toward God? How did you work through them?
- Read John 20:25. How much proof did you need before you would believe in God or Christianity?
- Read John 20:28. What did we learn about Jesus’ character through Thomas’ doubting? In what ways are you similar to Thomas?
- Read Isaiah 1:18. How does this affect the way that you respond to your own intellectual doubts?
- How can you follow God while still having some lingering questions about faith?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Doubting Because You Don’t Feel Like a Christian
Christians don't always feel like Christians. They don't feel like praying or going to church. This is spiritual doubt and Jesus shows us how to deal with it.
Talking Points:
- We want to believe, but we aren’t always sure if we have it in us. Notice that Jesus does not cast the father aside for his wavering belief. He heals the boy. Jesus doesn’t cast us aside either because of our doubts. Mark 9:24
- Thankfully, you only need a small measure of faith in order to start a relationship with God. Jesus points out that you can accomplish much with just a little faith. And great faith takes time to develop through many small acts of obedience. Luke 17:6
- We can have wavering faith and still be right with God. This is because our hope is not based on our ability to trust without doubt, but on Jesus’ ability to save.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Read Mark 9:24. What do you do when you sense that your faith in God is wavering? Do you reach out to a friend? Talk to God about the problem?
- How comfortable are you coming to God when you are struggling with doubts and your faith feels weak? If you are uncomfortable coming to God in those moments, why?
- Describe a time when you were in a situation where only God could help you. What did God do in that moment?
- Read Luke 17:6. Can you think of a moment when you had very little faith? How did God work in that moment even though your faith was small?
- Give some practical examples of what it looks like to act on your faith, not on your doubts.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Doubting When Life Gets Hard
If God is good, then how come the world is messed up? This type of doubt comes from life's circumstances and Jesus shows us how to deal with it.
Talking Points:
- If you know anything about John the Baptist, then you probably know that he was a wild man who was passionate for God. But towards the end of his life John was also a doubter. Luke 7:20
- Jesus tells John that God is at work. People are being transformed. God’s work just looks different than he might expect. But Jesus goes further and addresses John’s character. Even though John has these doubts, Jesus still affirms him. Luke 7:28
- Doubts tend to control our thinking. Our doubts become facts in our minds and our faith is what has to be proven. This isn’t healthy. Test your doubts just like you test your faith. It may be that your doubts come from faulty reasoning. 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Read Luke 7:20. When was the most recent time you doubted God’s plan?
- When has God’s plan surprised you by how different it was from your own plan?
- Read Luke 7:22. How did Jesus answer John’s doubt? What specific things do you think Jesus wants you to know in the midst of your doubts?
- Read Luke 7:28. Why do you think Jesus praised John in that moment? How does that affect the way you approach Jesus with your doubts?
- Read 1 Thessalonians 5:21. List some ways that you can “test everything” in order to strengthen your belief. What are some assumptions you make that need testing?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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