Leader’s Study Guide for the week of April 19, 2020 PDF Version
Leader’s Community Group Study Guide
For the week of April 19, 2020
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CG Social Project!
Life Path Hospice of Tampa has caregivers that are extremely strained at this time. We are asking Community Groups to make an encouraging video or posters that can be forwarded on to the caregivers to let them know we are all praying for them and appreciate their hard work. You can send pictures of the posters or video upload to lisaraye17@gmail.com Check out our FB page or Life Path FB page for inspiration.
FOOD DROP OFF – Friday, April 10, 11:00am – 2:00pm
3 Ways to Give to the Food Drive:
Drop off donations at our Ballast Point Campus, 5101 Bayshore Blvd.
(Note: Hours have changed: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Fridays only)
Ship Items from Amazon or from a local Tampa business to the Ballast Point Campus, 5101 Bayshore Blvd. Tampa, FL 33611
Go to stfchurch.com to see list of needs. Contact marc@stfchurch.com with any questions.
MY STORY
1. What is one way this past week that you have sought peace?
2. What part of the teaching did you find challenging to your thinking or living?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. This past week, in our series, God is greater than the High’s and Low’s, we dived into the life of Thomas. What is the closest that you have come to going through what Thomas went through?
- When someone close to me died
- When I dropped out of Christian fellowship
- When I experienced disappointment and took it out on God
- Other: ___________________________________
2. Read John 20:19-23. In these verses, how do you see the Lord’s kindness and desire to build the disciples’ faith?
(Jesus repeated his offer of peace. Jesus’ peace is not simply freedom from fear or trouble. Jesus established peace with God for His people. The key to understanding the meaning of John 20:23 lies in the previous two verses: “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” He sent them, as He is sending us, to bring the good news of the way to salvation and heaven to the whole world. Jesus was leaving the earth physically but promised God would be with them in the person of the Holy Spirit living in them.)
- How has the Lord shown you kindness to build your faith?
3. Read John 20:24-31. Describe Thomas’ strengths and weaknesses. Which of these do you share? (See also John 11:7-16; 14:5)
(We learn from the life of Thomas that he was deeply committed to His master, and yet he struggled with doubts and questions. On the day of His resurrection, Jesus appeared to a group of His disciples in a closed room. For some reason, Thomas was not with them for this supremely significant event (John 20:19–24). When the disciples later told Thomas they had seen the resurrected Lord, he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).)
TAKING IT HOME
- When you have doubts in your faith, what have you found helpful?
- Going to the Bible
- Talking with my pastor
- Sharing with friends
- Going ahead “on faith”
- Spending time alone with God
- Being encouraged by the faith of others
2. Thomas’ unbelief fled in the face of Jesus’ voice. In language used for God alone, Thomas boldly proclaimed of Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” How has this teaching challenged your doubts or given you confidence to tell others about Jesus’ resurrection?
(Jesus lovingly met Thomas at the exact point of his need and then guided him back to faith. We can be honest with God about our doubts and questions; He understands our struggles and is quite capable of strengthening our faith. Like Thomas, we will be able to confess, “My Lord and my God!” in full confidence of who Jesus is (John 20:28).)
3. Jesus poured out a blessing on us today that not even those who walked and talked with Him in His days on earth enjoyed. It is as though the Lord Jesus said, “I will reward with greater blessings and higher glory each one who loves me without the opportunity to see me.” Is this glory yours? How will you allow the Lord to stretch your faith this week?
(In the end, the nickname “Doubting Thomas” is a rather unfortunate one. It’s true that Thomas demanded evidence of the miracle of Christ’s resurrection before he accepted the truth. Doubt factored into his response to his friends, but it was not the defining quality of his life. Thomas should be better known for his loyalty, his obedience to the gospel, and his faith.)
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. Read 1 Peter 1:8. What have you learned about God as a result of this week’s study? How may your group pray for you as you make this truth a part of your life?