Dealing with Doubts | Discussion Guide
Summary
In this sermon from Luke 7:18-30, Pastor explores how John the Baptist, despite being a bold forerunner of Christ, experienced doubt while imprisoned. John sent disciples to ask Jesus if He truly was the Messiah, revealing that even the strongest believers can face seasons of uncertainty. The pastor emphasizes that doubt itself isn’t sinful – what matters is how we respond to it.
Jesus responds to John’s doubt not with criticism but by pointing to the evidence of His ministry fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. The sermon highlights that doubt often emerges when there’s a gap between our expectations and reality. Rather than allowing doubt to drive us away from God, we can use it as an opportunity for deeper faith by bringing our questions directly to Jesus and trusting His Word.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word today, we acknowledge that each of us faces seasons of doubt in our walk with You. We ask that You would meet us in our questions and uncertainties. Open our hearts to receive what You want to teach us through this discussion. Help us to see that our doubts can become pathways to deeper faith rather than obstacles that separate us from You. Guide our conversation and draw us closer to Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s something you were absolutely certain about as a child that you later discovered wasn’t true?
Key Verses
Luke 7:19-20
Luke 7:22-23
Luke 7:28
Luke 7:29-30
Questions
What surprised you most about John the Baptist experiencing doubt about Jesus being the Messiah?
The pastor mentioned that circumstances can cloud our perspective. Can you share a time when difficult circumstances made it harder for you to see God at work?
Jesus responded to John’s doubt by pointing to evidence of His ministry fulfilling Scripture. How might this approach help us when we face our own doubts?
The sermon suggests that doubt often fills the gap between our expectations and reality. What expectations have you had about the Christian life that didn’t match your experience?
How does Jesus’ patient and gracious response to John’s doubt encourage you in how God views your own questions and uncertainties?
The pastor stated that doubt is ‘either an opportunity for the enemy or an opportunity for the Spirit of God in your life.’ How have you seen this play out in your own experience?
What’s the difference between doubt that leads to deeper faith versus doubt that leads to walking away from God?
What practical steps can we take when facing doubts about God, His promises, or His calling in our lives?
Life Application
This week, identify one area where you’re experiencing doubt in your relationship with God or His plan for
your life. Instead of ignoring it or feeling guilty about it, write it down as a question to Jesus. Then spend
time in Scripture looking for God’s perspective on that specific doubt. Each day, surrender this doubt to
Jesus in prayer, asking Him to use it as an opportunity to deepen your faith rather than diminish it. Share
your journey with at least one trusted believer who can pray with you and point you to truth.
Key Takeaways
Doubt is a natural part of the Christian journey that even the greatest believers like John the Baptist experienced.
The gap between our expectations and reality is often filled with doubt, but this doesn’t mean we’re not saved or not in God’s will.
How we respond to doubt determines whether it drives us away from God or becomes an opportunity for deeper faith.
Jesus responds to our doubts with patience and evidence from His Word, not with criticism or condemnation.
Surrendering our doubts to Jesus and seeking answers in Scripture is the pathway to transforming doubt into stronger faith.
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank You for meeting us in our doubts just as You met John the Baptist in his. Thank You for Your patience with our questions and Your faithfulness to provide answers through Your Word. As we leave this discussion, help us to remember that our doubts don’t disappoint You but can become opportunities for deeper trust. Give us the courage to bring our uncertainties directly to You rather than allowing them to separate us from Your love. Transform our moments of questioning into stronger faith that stands firm even in difficult circumstances. May we, like John, ultimately point others to You despite our own struggles. In Your name we pray, Amen.