Peeps | Week 3
Week Three: Peeps Discussion Guide
Series Overview:
In this series, we see different people encounter Jesus at their lowest point. All of them had chosen to follow Jesus and saw him killed. All that would change. Their greatest defeat would become their and our greatest victory. Their story is our story. Many people, one sweet Story.
Sermon Overview:
Thomas was best known for doubting. Yet when you read about him throughout scripture, you discover that he was at times bold. He encouraged the others to follow Jesus into Dangerous situations. He boldly asked Jesus to explain what he meant when the others kept silent. Eventually, he felt let down and skeptical when the messiah he chose to follow was now dead. Thomas, his friend, didn’t give up on him and Jesus met him where he was, even in doubt, and gave him what he needed to be bold. In the end, most can relate more to Thomas than any other disciple, because his story mirrors our up and down story with Jesus.
Getting Started:
1.Have you ever had or known someone who had a nickname based on a mistake they have made?
Do you think it was fair for you or that person you know to be labeled by that mistake?
I don’t think anyone would want to be remembered only for their mistake, but in this week’s peep, we see Thomas labeled forever as the doubter.
Digging Deeper:
For the Peeps in this week’s part of the resurrection story, everything they had believed was being challenged.
Read John 11:16
Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
2. From the message, why were the disciples not wanting Jesus to go back to Jerusalem?
How did Thomas’ statement clearly state their concern and his courage?
What does “Faith without risk isn’t faith at all” mean?
3. When was the last time you or someone you know made a risky move, for Jesus' sake?
Read John 14:3-6
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
4. Have you ever heard anyone say you should never question God? What do you think that means?
5. The Pastor said, “Healthy relationships have Healthy questions.”
How did Thomas’s boldness to ask; help the other disciples?
Read Matthew 7:7
Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Read James 1:5
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
6. How do these verses confirm that it is okay to ask God questions?
Read John 20:19-20 & 24
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
7. After the death and burial of Jesus, the others were hiding in fear, but Thomas was not with them.
8. Where was Thomas? Why was he not with the others?
Although we don’t know for sure but given from what we have learned about his personality
Either he was disappointed or had just given up to the fact that eventually all the disciples would die and that there was no need to hide.
Or perhaps he had wanted to grieve alone and figure out what had taken place.
Obviously, he had concluded that he had made a mistake to follow Jesus, and now his life was over.
Read John 20:25
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “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.”
9. Why would Thomas make such a firm statement to the others? How did this reflect the conflict going on in his heart?
Has there ever been a time when you struggled in your faith?
Read John 20:26-28
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
10. After Thomas so brutally rejected the resurrection of Jesus, why did the other disciple still allow him to be with them?
11. How does Jesus show here that he didn’t give up on Thomas either? How does it show that he won’t give up on us?
NEXTSTEP:
We are called to continue relationships with those who have lost their faith or never had one. Just as Jesus didn’t give up on Thomas, we don’t give up on others. Instead, we love them through the crises until Jesus shows up and does work in their heart.
Who is the person that never gave up on you? Have you ever told them Thank You? Contact them this week and thank them for their faithfulness to you and for the difference they made in your life.
Who are you being faithful to? Who is the person within your circle of influence that needs you to stand beside them until Jesus shows up to do his work?
Easter Sunday is next week, and more people are open to going to church than any other time of the year.
Invite the person you are investing in to join you for one of the three services.