Light | John 20:19-31

Use this curriculum to help you further engage with the sermon, the scriptures, and each other. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring things up to encourage and guide you so that you are always growing in your faith. If the Spirit leads you away from these questions and into conversation and prayer that encourages and points you to Jesus, go for it.

scripture

Read the following scriptures together: John 20:19-31.

overview

The disciples are locked in a room, huddled together in fear because they don’t know Jesus’ next move, but they must know the chaos and tension in the city at the news that Jesus’ body is no longer in the tomb. Then Jesus, the Prince of Peace, walks into the room and presents the truth that he has been resurrected from the dead. He speaks peace over them and breathes the Holy Spirit on them to empower and commission them to go out into the world. A week later, when he shows up again and Thomas the doubter is there, Jesus doesn’t shame Thomas. He again says, “Peace be with you…Stop doubting and believe” (v.26). 

question 1

Doubt is spiritual uncertainty and a lack of confidence or trust in God's promises and character. Fear often accompanies doubt. Share a time when doubt consumed you. How did you find relief?

discussion

The world is and has always been dark, yet we are called to bring the Light of Christ: to proclaim the freedom of the Lord, to pray for healing and miraculous movements in people’s lives, and to sit with those who are on the margins and let them know they have God-given dignity and are invited into the family of God. We all have scars from life, from difficult trials and heartaches that came upon us. But we also carry the testimonies of how God was near to us when we were brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), of how he saw us through. Whether he healed or provided, he never left us alone. This is the hope that people without Jesus need to hear, and we don’t need to bring anyone into the church building to hear it. We can share it wherever we are, knowing we have the Holy Spirit in us who empowers us with courage.

question 2

Have you had the opportunity lately to share with someone from your work, neighborhood, or gym about the goodness of God? Does anyone want prayer for boldness to do this?

Read John 7:38. The streams or rivers of living water are a metaphor for the abundant, life-giving Holy Spirit that we receive when we put our faith in Jesus. As we are filled with this refreshment and revitalization, we can then pour out our lives into others by serving them, forgiving them, praying for them, and helping with financial and physical needs. From the beginning, God has chosen to use ordinary, broken people like ourselves to be his hands and feet on earth. This takes obedience on our part – are we going to obey and choose the road of service and step out of our comfort zones? Or are we going to sit back and live a comfortable, complacent life? One life leads to abundance; the other appears to promise it, but in reality it’s stagnant. 

question 3

What does an abundant life following Jesus look like? Pray that each of you will desire to pour out from what the Lord has given you.

weekly application

Consider this next month what it will look like for you to step out of your comfort zone each week. How might you step into serving those around you or through one of our Mission Partners? Our Christmas tradition of the Giving Tree starts this weekend – consider praying for each ministry this next month and providing as the Spirit leads you.