Crossroads – Wk 5

John 20:24-29 (NLT)

24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

THREE WAYS TO TRUST JESUS REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU SEE:

1. Commitment to Jesus is a decision.

2. Confidence in Jesus is built over time.

John 14:1-6 (NLT)

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

3. Conquer the roadblock of sight.

What do you see that is preventing you from trusting Jesus?

John 20:30-31 (NLT)

30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent place they have felt God’s love and a place they are praying for Him to move.

– As a group, feel free to create space to worship together and/or encourage each other as a means of connection and start to your group time.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: Jesus invites us to continue to trust regardless of what we see.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read John 20:29. Is there something you can’t see yet, but that you want to believe for? (i.e. a place where your commitment decision is being tested).

▶ Read John 14:1. How has your confidence grown as Jesus met you at a crossroads in your life?

▶ Read John 14:6. How has Jesus shown himself to you as The Way, The Truth or The Life?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.

Read Isaiah 54:17, Isaiah 26:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Proverbs 3:5-6.

What is a passage of Scripture that you can use as an anchor point when you find yourself facing a roadblock to trusting Jesus? It could be one of these or a different one.

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Consider breaking into pairs. Share a place in your life you would like to trust more and pray for each other.