Small Group Questions

April 19 - 25

Sermon Series: What About Doubt?

Week 3

Ice Breaker, If Needed

Have you ever played “hooky” from school or work? What did you do?

Discussion Questions for Small Groups or Individual Study

1. Why must we deal with doubt? What happens when doubt isn’t acknowledged or confronted? In your experience, what triggers doubt? Can you identify patterns or challenges in your life that increase doubt? 

2. Read John 1:29-34. Also, recall John’s reaction when his mother, Elizabeth, was pregnant with him. What was John so absolutely sure of? What did he testify to? Now, read Matthew 11:2-3. What prompted John’s question and seeming doubt? What is your reaction to John’s question? What similar questions have you asked when “imprisoned” by hard circumstances? Had Jesus changed, or had John’s circumstances changed? How might this help someone have perspective when doubts arise? 

3. There are three common reasons for doubt: 

• Situations that seem unfair to you

• Questions you can’t answer

• Hurts you can’t resolve

• What is the common denominator? Is the way you see God, think about God, or receive God enough to change God? What big questions do you wrestle with? 

• Do you expect an answer or resolution? How does unresolved hurt feed unbelief?          

4. “Doubt is not the enemy of faith.” What does this mean? How can doubt lead to a stronger faith? Read Matthew 11:11, which is Jesus’ response to John’s question. What do you note about Jesus response? What doesn’t Jesus say about John the Baptist? How do you think Jesus responds to your doubt and questions? 

5. Which is the bigger problem: Having doubts or your response to your doubts? Assess if there is room for growth when confronting your doubt. Good places to start: 

• Discern the real source of your doubt. Is it disappointment? Hurt? Simply rebellion? Is it intellectual object? Sin you won’t let go of?

• Seek answers! Investigate and dig into possible answers. Weigh, discern, and examine your assumptions about how God works. Also, doubt your doubts. Are your doubts legitimate or simply convenient? 

• See the big picture. What does your stockpile of experiences tell you? What does Scripture tell you? Read Matthew 11:4-6. What would this “big picture” tell John in his doubt? 

• Trust, wait, and endure. You may never get an answer. You may never be released from “prison”. John wasn’t. Sit with this possibility for a few moments. Can you do it? Why or why not? 

6. Pray for endurance, tools, and perspective when doubts arise. Pray for God to lead you into unshakeable assurance.