Connect: Who could you invite this Easter to hear about Jesus—the promised King who is worthy of our devotion, our praise, and our belief? 

Warm-Up

1. Whilst we are focusing on Thomas’ encounter with the resurrected Jesus, what are the other encounters in chapter 20? What transformations do we see in each of the eyewitnesses?

Read John 20:24-26

2. What does Jesus first say to Thomas? Was this more than just a greeting? Why or why not?
3. What is the ultimate peace that we can have? How has Jesus made this possible?
4. Why is it surprising that Jesus’ first words are of peace and not rebuke, fault-finding, or blame?
5. In what way—when we go to Jesus—can we be assured of also receiving a peace that lasts?
6. How has forgiveness from God brought about a peace that lasts for you? What reminds you of this?

Read John 20:27-31

7. Why is Thomas often called ‘doubting Thomas’? Do you think this is fair?
8. For how long have the disciples been telling Thomas that Jesus has been raised? In a similar way to the disciples repeatedly sharing the news, how are our lives to point to the resurrection on repeat?
9. What were Thomas’ objection to belief? What types of objections do people have today?
10. What evidence has Thomas already had that could have given him confidence? What might have been some of the reasons for his objection? Do you sympathise with any of these?
11. In what way does Jesus both invite Thomas to examine the evidence but also rebuke him?
12. Why (for the future of proclamation) was it important for Thomas to see Jesus raised? How have we benefited from Thomas’ (and the other disciple’s) eyewitness testimony?
13. Does Jesus expect we would believe without any evidence? What does Jesus say about those who believe but who have not seen? Who does this apply to?
14. What convinced you that the resurrection of Jesus was real and also relevant?
15. What is the ‘life’ that we can know when we believe in Jesus? How does it have a present and future dimension? How is it made possible through Jesus’ resurrection?
16. What was the ultimate purpose that John wrote his Gospel? Who—on your frontlines—do you long for to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing to have life in his name?

Apply What gives you confidence about the resurrection? What is one way the resurrection and the certain hope to resurrection transforms your day-to-day life?

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On Your Front Line this Week

Do you know what your frontlines are? Think about the places and people you spend time with - in your family, in your neighbourhood, at work, at the school pick-up, or as a friend.

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen: John Stott on John 20:19-31:
  https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=50950&show_file=59557 
• Listen: “Peace through the Resurrection” by William Taylor:
  https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/57310/
• Listen: “Belief through the Resurrection” by William Taylor”
  https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/57314/ 
• Listen: “Encountering the Risen Jesus” by Tim Keller:
  https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/encountering-the-risen-king-9185/ 

Series Resources

• Read: “John: An Expositional Commentary” by R C Sproul.
• Read: “The Gospel According to John” by Don Carson. 
• Read: “The Message of John” by Bruce Milne. 📚
• Read: “The Gospel According to John” by Leon Morris.
• Read: “John for Everyone: Part 1” by Tom Wright. 📚
• Read: “Can We Trust the Gospels?” by Peter Williams. 📚
• Read: “Signs of the Messiah: An Introduction to John’s Gospel” by Andreas Köstenberger
• Watch: “John” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-john/  
• Previous Series from St Bart’s (including Children’s Resources):
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/jesus-is
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/i-am
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/truth-glory 

📚Available to borrow from the St Bart’s Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library 

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