Commissioned – John 20:19-23

• Q. What’s something that causes you to fear? Why?
  
  • Discuss. 
  • Snakes, spiders, failure, speaking in public, etc.
  • Some fear is healthy, it can keep us safe but other fear can be unfounded.
• Q. Why were the disciples afraid? 
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • If the Jewish leaders could conspire with Rome to kill Jesus, they could do the same to them.
• Q. How would you have responded if you were there in the upper room when Jesus appeared? 
  
  • Discuss. 
  • Read Lk 24:36-37 – The disciples were terrified. They thought they were seeing a ghost.
  • Read Lk 24:41-43 – Next the disciples were amazed and in disbelief.
  • John went strait to the disciples’ joy at seeing the risen Lord.
• Q. What comes to mind when you hear the word “sent?”
  
  • Give time to respond. 
  • Purpose, authority, confidence, etc.
  • Remember Jesus’ prayer in John 17:18. 
  • The disciples weren’t called to hide in an upper room, they were sent to carry the gospel to the ends of the world. Not in their own authority but under Christ’s authority.
• Q. Think back to a time to when you were assigned a task and felt like you were inadequate to accomplish it? What did you do to overcome it? 
  
  • Discuss. 
  • Fake it till you make it, ask for help or training, received encouragement from someone, etc.
  • Jesus was sending the disciples out to complete a task, but not in their own authority and certainly not in their own power. He equipped them for their mission.
  • In Jn 20:22-23 Jesus made it clear that they must receive the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish their mission. 
  • Furthermore, only God has the authority to forgive but the disciples, and believers today, have the responsibility to preach the message of salvation.
  • When believers preach the gospel in the authority of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus promises that those who respond in repentance are in a state of having their sins forgiven.

Demands – John 20:24-25

• Q. Is it fair to call Thomas, “Doubting Thomas”?
  
  • Discuss. 
  • Notice how none of the disciples truly believed until they saw Him in person (Jn 20:19-20). They hadn’t believed the report of the women until they saw Jesus in person.
• Q. What kind of barriers keep people today from putting their faith in Jesus? How can we most effectively deal with honest doubts?
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • When someone has an honest doubt or question, believers should desire to answer it with truth.
  • While each situation and topic will be different, the model prescribed in 1 Peter 3:15-16 is excellent. 
    
    • Place God as Lord in your life.
    • Be ready to answer anyone. 
    • Point people to Jesus, the reason for our hope. 
    • Do this with gentleness and respect. 

Believed – John 20:26-29

• Q. Why do you think Jesus waited a week to return to the disciples and Thomas? 
  
  •  Discuss
  • We really don’t know as the Bible doesn’t say. 
  • It’s possible that He was giving Thomas time to process the others’ testimonies. 
• Q. Why do you think the disciples had the doors locked? 
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • They were still scared what the Jewish leaders and authorities might do to them.
• Q. How did Jesus respond to Thomas’ demands? What stands out to you?
  
  • Discuss. 
  • Jesus knew what Thomas had said and addressed his doubts.
• Q. How did Thomas respond to Jesus? What stands out to you?
  
  • Give time to respond. 
  • Thomas left no doubt or hesitation in his response, “My Lord and my God.”
  • Interestingly, that statement would have made both Jews and Romans angry. The Jews prayed Deut 6:4 daily and would have been offended that Thomas attributed both titles to Jesus. The Romans viewed their emperor as divine and would be required to say, “Caesar is Lord.”
• Q. How does Thomas’ encounter with Jesus give hope to the world today? 
  
  • Discuss. 
  • Jesus knows the heart and mind of every person in the world. 
  • Jesus meets us right where we are, even in our doubts. 
  • If someone is truly seeking Jesus and asking questions, we can be confident that Jesus will meet them where they are.