02.25.07
Small Group Plan - February 25, 2007
“You’ve Got to Show Me”
Involvement
Small Group Plan
February 25, 2007
Dear Small Group Leader,
In 1899 Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver, member of the U.S. House Committee on Naval Affairs spoke at a banquet in Philadelphia. In his speech he said,
“I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.”
Today the state of Missouri has adopted the “Show-Me” slogan, even using it on their license plates.
Prove it to me … Show me … I won’t believe it till I see it … I’ll have to have evidence. There is one man in the New Testament that has been marked as a “show me” individual. However, we have given him another nickname. We call him “Doubting Thomas.” But does he really deserve this nickname?
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Did you have a nickname growing up? How did you get it?
· How can nicknames help or hurt a person?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
A Courageous Man …
John 11:7-8, 16
7 Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?” … 16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
· How would you describe Thomas’ attitude here?
· What is both commendable and defective about this attitude?
A Confused Man …
John 14:1-6
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 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. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
· What did Jesus say that confused Thomas?
· Was he alone in his confusion? Why did he speak up?
· Why didn’t Jesus reprimand his question?
A Doubting Man …
John 20:24-25
24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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 it.”
· What had Thomas been through that would make faith without sight difficult?
· Do you think Peter, Matthew, or another disciple would have had a different reaction? Explain.
A Faithful Man …
John 20:26-29
26 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!” 27 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.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
· Do you think Jesus’ tone with Thomas was strict or gentle? Explain.
· Put yourself in Thomas’ place. What did he think and feel when he saw Jesus?
· Do you think it is more difficult to believe today than in the past? Why?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Thomas’ question gave us a wonderful statement from Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” What does this statement mean to you?
· What helps you when you experience times of doubt?
· Has the past year been more a time of uncertainty or confidence? Explain.
· John 20:31 was written to a generation that did not know Jesus directly. It says, “These are written that you may believe.” How does the Thomas story help you to believe?
Close by praising Jesus for coming back just for Thomas and for helping us in our moments of uncertainty and doubt.