Beyond the Weekend

August 11 | What Gives?

August 11, 2022

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

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.” John 20:27

Read: John 20:19-28
Listen: 
John 20

TODAY’S MESSAGE

After Jesus’s death and resurrection, he reveals himself to a group of disciples in Jerusalem. One of the disciples, Thomas, isn’t there. He has a hard time believing that Jesus is alive. He says, “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). It’s a statement of honest doubt. Thomas has been on a rollercoaster ride throughout the last few weeks. He needs to see Jesus for himself to erase the doubt. Jesus lovingly steps into the doubt the next time he appears to the disciples. Watch this video clip as Pastor Brad Holmes explains Jesus helps Thomas understand that he knows Thomas’s doubts. He encourages Thomas to do exactly what Thomas said he would need to do. He doesn’t condemn Thomas, but challenges him to stop doubting and start believing.

Doubt is a part of life. As we see in the case of Thomas, doubt can also be a part of coming to know Jesus and following Jesus. We may doubt God is in control when we look around at tragedies or disasters. We may doubt God loves us when life doesn’t turn out the way we thought it would. We may doubt God is with us when we feel like we are facing something alone. But, just as Jesus challenged Thomas to stop doubting and start believing, following Jesus means moving from doubt to belief. Jesus offers Thomas proof that he is alive. God has given us the Bible, the Holy Spirit and other Christians as proof of God’s love for us.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Revisit what you think about God. If there are any areas of doubt, give them to God. Use a prayer like the following, “God, I have some doubts about __________. Help me see who you really are. Help me move from doubt to belief.” If you’d like to talk to someone about this, email us at btw@adabible.org.


2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE

Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.

PROVERBS 3:5–6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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