Honest Thomas

  • Pastor Josh Smith
Have you ever felt like you missed out on something important? In a world full of doubt and demands for proof, how do we find faith? Let’s explore the story of Thomas and discover how Jesus meets us in our moments of uncertainty.

More from this series

Jesus Disappeared

Jesus Disappeared

Living Unstuck

Living Unstuck

Jesus Appears with Scars, an Appetite and A Mandate

Jesus Appears with Scars, an Appetite and A Mandate

Emmaus Encounter

Emmaus Encounter

See All Sermons

Honest Thomas

Message Summary
Have you ever felt like you missed out on something important? In a world full of doubt and demands for proof, how do we find faith? Let’s explore the story of Thomas and discover how Jesus meets us in our moments of uncertainty.
Key Scripture
One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later, the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
John 20:24-29 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: The Honest Doubt of Thomas

Scripture: John 20:24-29 NLT

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later, the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Devotional: Thomas is often labeled as “Doubting Thomas,” but his story is one of honest doubt and eventual belief. He wasn’t present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples, leading to his skepticism. His demand to see Jesus’ wounds was a genuine expression of his struggle to reconcile his faith with the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ response to Thomas is not one of rebuke but of invitation—inviting him to believe and find peace.

Response Questions:

  1. How do you typically respond to doubt in your faith journey?
  2. What are some “unless” statements you have made in your relationship with God?
  3. How can you create space for honest doubt in your spiritual community?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the courage to express your doubts honestly before God.
  2. Ask for the grace to see Jesus’ presence in your life, even when you struggle to believe.

Day 2

Day 2: The Importance of Community

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Devotional: Thomas missed Jesus’ first appearance because he wasn’t with the other disciples. This highlights the importance of being in community. When we gather with other believers, we are encouraged and reminded of God’s promises. Community provides a space where we can share our doubts and be strengthened in our faith. It is in the gathering that we often experience Jesus’ presence in powerful ways.

Response Questions:

  1. How has being part of a community strengthened your faith?
  2. What steps can you take to be more present in your spiritual community?
  3. How can you encourage others who may be struggling with doubt?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deeper connection with your spiritual community.
  2. Ask God to use you as an encourager to those who are struggling with doubt.

Day 3

Day 3: Believing Without Seeing

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 NLT

So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing.

Devotional: Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” This is a call to live by faith, not by sight. Our faith journey often requires us to trust in God’s promises even when we don’t see immediate evidence. This kind of faith is not blind but is rooted in the character and faithfulness of God. It is a faith that looks beyond the visible and trusts in the eternal.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean to you to live by faith and not by sight?
  2. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God’s promises?
  3. What are some areas in your life where you need to exercise faith?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the strength to trust in God’s promises, even when you can’t see the outcome.
  2. Ask for a deeper revelation of God’s faithfulness in your life.

Day 4

Day 4: The Power of Jesus’ Presence

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Devotional: Jesus’ promise to be with us always is a source of great comfort and strength. His presence empowers us to live out our faith and fulfill the Great Commission. When we are aware of His presence, we can face doubts and challenges with confidence. Jesus’ presence is not just a theological concept but a reality that transforms our daily lives.

Response Questions:

  1. How does the promise of Jesus’ presence impact your daily life?
  2. In what ways can you become more aware of His presence throughout your day?
  3. How does Jesus’ presence empower you to fulfill His mission?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for an increased awareness of Jesus’ presence in your life.
  2. Ask for boldness and courage to live out your faith in light of His presence.

Day 5

Day 5: Living in the Light of Eternity

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25 NLT

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

Devotional: Our present struggles and doubts are temporary in light of the eternal glory that awaits us. Living with an eternal perspective helps us navigate the challenges of life with hope and patience. The promise of future glory gives us the strength to endure and the assurance that our faith is not in vain. As we live in the light of eternity, we are reminded that our ultimate hope is in Jesus and the life He promises.

Response Questions:

  1. How does an eternal perspective change the way you view your current struggles?
  2. What are some practical ways you can keep eternity in focus in your daily life?
  3. How does the promise of future glory encourage you in your faith journey?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the ability to see your life through the lens of eternity.
  2. Ask for hope and patience as you wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

Opening Prayer

Begin with a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to the message of faith and belief.

Icebreaker

  • Question: Have you ever experienced a “fear of missing out” (FOMO) moment? Share a brief story.
  • Context: The sermon began with the concept of FOMO, relating it to Thomas missing Jesus’ first appearance to the disciples. This sets the stage for understanding Thomas’s doubt and desire for proof.

Discussion Questions

  1. What do you think about Thomas’s demand to see Jesus’ wounds before believing?
    • Context: The sermon reframed “Doubting Thomas” as “Honest Thomas,” highlighting his genuine struggle with doubt. Thomas’s demand for physical proof is a reflection of his honest grappling with faith.
  2. How do you relate to Thomas’s experience of missing out on Jesus’ first appearance?
    • Context: The sermon emphasized the importance of being present in community and how missing out can lead to doubt. Thomas wasn’t with the disciples initially, which led to his skepticism.
  3. Why do you think Jesus waited eight days to appear to Thomas?
    • Context: The sermon suggested that Jesus’ timing was intentional, allowing Thomas to process his doubt and ensuring all disciples were present to witness his belief. This highlights Jesus’ inclusivity and understanding.
  4. How can we apply the lesson of “believing without seeing” in our daily lives?
    • Context: Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” The sermon encouraged living by faith, not by sight, and trusting in Jesus’ presence and promises even when we don’t see immediate evidence.
  5. What are some personal “unless” statements you’ve made in your faith journey?
    • Context: The sermon discussed how we often place demands on God, similar to Thomas’s “I won’t believe unless…” statements. Reflecting on these can help us identify areas where we need to grow in faith.
  6. How can we support each other in moments of doubt and uncertainty?
    • Context: The sermon highlighted the importance of community and being with others who can encourage and remind us of Jesus’ presence. Discuss ways to foster a supportive environment in your group.

Closing Activity

  • Response: Invite group members to write down their personal response to Jesus, similar to Thomas’s declaration, “My Lord and my God.” Share if comfortable.
  • Context: The sermon concluded with a call to respond to Jesus’ presence and acknowledge Him as Lord and God.

Closing Prayer

End with a prayer asking for strengthened faith, the courage to believe without seeing, and the ability to support one another in the journey of faith.

Family Table Talk

A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.

📖 Scripture

❓Family Question

💬 Parent Prompt:

Weekly Practice

A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.