Whether you are a Christian or an atheist, if you are alive, you will struggle at times with doubt.

Talking Points:

  • Given the available evidence, we all have a choice to accept or reject that evidence. So many people who struggle with doubt are passively waiting for something dramatic to happen what will automatically remove all doubts.
  • Many of the great people of faith in the Bible and in Christian history have struggled with periods of doubt.
    • Sarah Genesis 18:12
    • Elijah 1 Kings 19:1-4
    • Peter Matthew 26:74
    • Thomas John 20:25
    • John the Baptist Luke 7:20
  • Often our doubts come into focus the most during difficult times. But one reason for our doubts is that we have wrong expectations of God. If you think following God is supposed to be a life without trials, then you will naturally doubt the goodness and power of God when trials inevitably come.
  • Doubt is overcome with truth. The Bible tells us that we do battle by taking every thought captive. So whether our thoughts come from Satan or from difficult circumstances, the battle of doubt takes place in our minds. 2 Corinthians 10:5
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What is it about people that makes it harder or easier to trust them?
  3. What is it about God that makes it harder or easier to trust him?
  4. Some people have a harder time with doubt than others. Discuss some things that may have happened in your childhood that might make it hard to trust.
  5. What circumstances in your life have stirred up the greatest doubts? Explain.
  6. Read Luke 7:18-23. Why do you think John the Baptist started to doubt? How did Jesus respond?
  7. Read Matthew 4:1-11. How did Satan try to raise doubts with Jesus? How did Jesus respond?
  8. Read Ephesians 6:13-18. How does faith function as a shield against Satan’s mental attacks?
  9. Read Mark 9:17-27. How does the boy’s father help us understand how to handle our doubts?
  10. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. What thoughts do you need to take captive? What verses do you need to memorize to replace those doubts?
  11. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

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