Speak up!

Week 25: Discovering the Character of God through Thomas

25.1 Invite the group to quickly look over a complex math equation and assess whether it's possible to solve eg:

(12x + 3y)² = (7x/5) - 4x³ + xy(3x5y) + x(2x(2x-y)) + xy + 3

When they (hopefully!) realise that it isn't easy, offer them the value of x/y (just the offer is sufficient to make the point!) to help. Sometimes life can be like this: seemingly confusing until we ask for help or it is offered. From the little that we know of him, we can discover that Thomas lived his life in much this manner; often confused or cautious, but unafraid to request clarification.

25.2 Invite the group to picture the following scene:

After three years together, Jesus and His disciples are eating their final meal together, though the disciples do not know it. This is the night Jesus will be betrayed; the night before He will dies. The men with Him have witnessed incredible events: the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the dead live. During the last three years, Jesus has spoken often of the Kingdom and now, over dinner, He talks of His death. He has spent the last hour ('chapter') or so speaking of how they must serve one another, how He will be betrayed and, now, that He is to leave them. Finally, He says that 'after He goes, He will return to take His disciples with Him.'

It is here that Thomas interjects with one of his rarely documented outbursts. Read John 14:1-6. You would think that, after three years of following Jesus, His followers would have a full understanding of everything He says but, here, Thomas shows that there is still much to be confused about.

Return briefly to the math equation and consider it in a classroom setting; there, there are those of us who, in our confusion would simply ask for help. On the other hand are those who stay silent, fearing being thought stupid because 'we should know the answer'. In much the same way, we could be forgiven for thinking Thomas might opt to remain silent, given the amount of time he's previously spent with the Saviour. Instead, however, he is quick to speak up.

• If we were in Thomas' shoes, which would we do? Speak up, or not say a word?
• What can we learn of Jesus' nature from the way He responds to Thomas? (He does not criticise Thomas for asking for clarity)

God welcomes our questions - even if they seem silly or awkward to us. He longs for us to communicate with Him and for us to enjoy a sincere, intimate relationship with Him. Open, honest questions are a natural part of that relationship and He will not criticise us or push us away for asking them.

25.3 Rewind a few chapters and we'll see just how Thomas, once he has things clear in his mind, is unfazed by obstacles - even death.

Read John 11:7-16 and discuss the unfolding events, Thomas' words and his motivation.

We see in this brief exchange a surprise: having learned last week of Peter's strong faith and love for Jesus - and, of course, his habit of being quick to speak, slow to think - we could easily expect him to be the one ready to follow, and die with, his Master. Yet, here, it is Thomas speaking. His devotion and fearlessness are overflowing and reveal a valuable insight: Peter's love for Jesus wasn't unique. Anyone enjoying that 24/7 intimate relationship with Jesus could not help but love Him and be inspired to adoration, courage, faithfulness and fearlessness. Jesus manifests and matures these things within us.

25.4 Thomas' most infamous moment must, of course, be examined, for it teaches us much about Jesus. Read John 20:24-29.

Notice, first, that Thomas is not with the other ten disciples when Jesus appears to them. Discuss the implications of this (what we miss out on when we're not in fellowship).

Second thing to notice is Thomas' response. try to imagine why he was so determined not to believe the others' reports of Jesus' resurrection.

Finally, notice Jesus' reaction - and compare with last week's discussion of Jesus' response to Peter in John 21:15-19. Yet again, we discover the beautiful, astounding, character of Jesus: He doesn't condemn Thomas; He neither rejects nor punishes him; there is no demand for repentance for doubting. Instead, Jesus offers peace, shows patience and gently brings reassurance. With a single, simple command, He restores Thomas.


Week 25: Summary

For Thomas to have so little written about him, we can learn surprisingly much about Jesus through him...

• He invites questions
• He inspires love, devotion and courage
• He is patient with us
• He doesn't condemn us when we doubt
• He reassures us

One Foot in the... Mouth

Week 24: Discovering the Character of God through Simon Peter

24.1 Invite the group to share times when they've 'put their foot in it'. I.E: having said or done something without thinking it through first.

• Did they regret it?
• Wiish they could have retracted it?
• Did they learn from it?

This week's study focuses on someone who was a master of speaking first, thinking second, regretting third and learning from it... after doing it a few more times: Peter.

Enquire if the group know anything of him and, if so, to share.
*Likely that the 'walking on water' will be mentioned, as, probably, will be Peter's denial. In both instances, invite those who volunteer these to turn up the passages for later use (Matt 14:25-32 and Luke 22:54-62, respectively).

24.2 Just as with our own lives, there is far more to Peter than these incidents and, through them all, we learn a lot about God. In fact, we see through all of Peter's mess-ups a whole lot about God's grace. Through this ordinary man, we discover an extraordinary God.

Read Mark 1:16-18 and Luke 5:4-8 to see - and discuss - just how ordinary Simon Peter was. Go on to discuss what these brief passages show us of God's nature (clue: doesn't look for perfect people!).

24.3 Read the passage bookmarked earlier of Peter's 'walk on the wet side' in Matthew 14:25-32.

• Invite the group to imagine themselves in this situation. Where would they place themselves in the story?
• Zoom in on Peter for a moment; why was it that he began to sink? What about Jesus' response: why didn't He help sooner?
• Notice that He goes straight to the heart: 'Your faith is small.' What would they imagine Peter might have replied?

24.4 Peter always seemed to have one foot lodged securely in his mouth, but his heart was usually in the right place. Read Matt 16:13-23 and Matt 17:1-7. Within 6 days, he goes from having it so right to being so wrong before settling somewhere in the middle.

Break this period and passage into the three stages and discuss each. If the group is large enough, split into three groups to deal with each section. In each case, look for one thing to learn about Peter's nature (see if they can see how we might identify) and 2 things about God.

24.5 Perhaps Simon Peter's most infamous moment came on the passover night where he denied all knowledge of Jesus - however, many don't even realise that the 'story' doesn't end there. Read Luke 22:54-62 (bookmarked earlier). Again, put ourselves in Peter's shoes: would we really fare any better?

Move forward in our imaginings: if we had been the ones denying Jesus, and then He came back from the dead, what reaction would we expect to receive from Him?

Go on to read John 21:15-19. Note that Jesus neither judges nor condemns; nor does he demand repentance or reject Peter based on his actions. No, Jesus' overriding concern is how Peter would respond to the bigger question: 'do you truly love me?' Jesus knew that repentance and changed lives follow from a 'true love' for Him. He also knew that Peter had spent long enough beating himself up over what he'd said; now, the key was to focus on loving Jesus instead of dwelling on the mistakes of the past, so that God would be able to use him.


Week 24: Summary
Peter is perhaps one of the figures of the Bible who we can most closely identify with. We, too, spend most of our lives with one foot firmly in mouth; we, too, can start out with bold, secure faith yet in the next moment our circumstances can come crashing around us and draw our attention from the Saviour. Yet, there is hope. Jesus questions us in that same, gentle manner as He did, Peter; not condemning, but inviting sincerity and a fresh start based on our reply to his question: 'Do you truly love me?'

Various characteristics discovered of God's character this week include:

• He uses ordinary people and gives them purpose
• He invites us to trust Him but won't do everything for us
• He restores us
• He doesn't condemn us
  

A New Hope...

Week 21: Discovering the Character of God through Zechariah

21.1 We left the Old Testament seeing God really showing His heart to Israel; that He loved them, wanted to be a husband to them and was jealous for them. Of course, we know from our earlier studies that Israel didn't really listen and ended up getting invaded and captured by Assyria. Not long after, Judah went down the same road away from God and were eventually invaded and captured by Babylon. As we learned in our study of Jeremiah, Judah was captive for seventy years before they were allowed to return to their land.

Our study of Ezra and Nehemiah showed that the Israelites did return and they began to rebuild their city, their homes and their lives. For a while, things went okay but, as time passed, the Israelites began to slip back into their old ways and, if anything, they got worse. Divorce, adultery and abuse of the poor were prevalent and, to cap it all off, the people abandoned their faith; going through the 'religious' motionsof worship instead of sincerely following the Lord.

The New Testament is the 'What Happens Next' part of history; but first, there were 400 years where God remained silent.

• Invite the group to share their thoughts on what it must have been like; suddenly seeming like God was no longer answering or even hearing their prayers.
• Discuss as a group what it might be like to be the first person God speaks to when He breaks His silence. How might we feel? What would we think?

21.2 Read Luke 1:5-17 to see the moment where God breaks His silence, who it was he spoke to and what He had to say. Invite the group to discuss why they think God chose Zechariah and, more importantly, the message the angel brought (hope/new beginnings/joy/peace/reconciliation etc).

21.3 Read Luke 1:18-23 and discuss Zechariah's response and the consequences it brings. Compare this passage with Genesis 18:9-16. Invite the group to share their thoughts on why the Lord treated the two situations so differently (for Abraham and Sarah, a rebuke; for Zechariah, the loss of speech and, most likely, hearing).

• Can they put themselves in Zechariah's shoes? Elizabeth's? The crowd's?
• Who would they most identify with in this scene?

21.4 At the end of this chapter, we see just what happens to Zechariah. Read Luke 1:57-66. Already, we're seeing a God who has not changed from what we saw of Him in the Old Testament: He still keeps his promises and carries out his warnings. Do the group have any thoughts on this passage (especially verses 63-64)? The very moment Zechariah gets his speech back, he worships God. this has a knock-on effect on the people around him.

God is laying foundations for what is to come; softening and preparing the Jews for the gospel. It's a wake up call for the Jews: although God hadn't said much for a while, He never abandoned them... nor did He intend to, as Zechariah went on to foretell.

21.5 Read Luke 1:67-79 and summarise the message that God spoke through Zechariah to John: everything the Lord has promised during the previous millennia was about to come true and this child, John, would herald it in.

• As a group, reflect on this and see if we can find anything new of God's character here.
• How can we be encouraged by Zechariah's prophecy?

Week 21: Summary
The New Testament takes us on a new journey. No longer were the Israelites to struggle to earn God's favour, for He was about to give them the most incredible gift and it all begins here. One man's unbelief reminds a nation that God has not forsaken them but rather is at work in powerful, mysterious ways. God's character is clearly evident in the little glimpse we have into Zechariah's life:

• He gives us new beginnings
• He restores us
• He hears us
• He never abandons us
• He reconciles us to Him

...to name but a few!