That You May Believe – John 20:24-31

Suggested Worship Order for April 12, 2020

(The activities and order are up to you!)
Click to download these sermon notes for printing.

Open with a simple prayer of thanksgiving for daily divine mercies, acknowledging God’s mighty faithfulness, asking for His forgiveness and for His blessing as you gather.

Read a passage of Scripture. Consider Psalm 2, along with Acts 4:23-31.

Sing a familiar hymn or song. Today you are invited to listen to or sing along with the musicians.

Watch or Listen

Watch Video Message
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Slow Connection? Press for audio.

Just to help you know where the preacher is going, here is the outline!

That You May Believe

John 20:24-31

1. The Grumbling Disciple, vv. 24-25.
   1. An Enthusiastic Report.
   2. An Emphatic Refusal.
2. The Gracious Revelation, vv. 26-27.
   1. An Inviting Command.
   2. An Insistent Challenge.
3. The Glorious Confession, v. 28.
4. The Great Blessing, v. 29.
   1. Confirmation.
   2. Beatitude.
5. The Grand Aims, vv. 30-31.
   1. That You May Believe.
   2. That You May Have Life.

Sing a song when the sermon is over. Some suggestions: Rejoice, the Lord is King (Charles Wesley, hymnbook, 226); Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Up From the Grave He Arose (Robert Lowry, hymnbook, 206); Crown Him with Many Crowns.

Spend time in discussion or reflection on what you heard.

Possible Discussion Questions

• What can we learn about Thomas from John 11:14-16 and John 14:4-6?
• How would you characterize John’s response in verse 26 to the report of the other disciples
  that they had seen the Lord?
• How does Jesus manifest Himself in this second appearance to the disciples? (see v. 26)
• For whom does it appear that Jesus makes this appearance? Support your answer.
• For what purpose does Jesus make this return visit?
• What do Jesus’ first directives to Thomas to reach and touch and see His hands and His side
  indicate about His knowledge of Thomas and His attitude toward Thomas?
• What “challenge”—exhortation—does Jesus issue to Thomas? What does Jesus’ challenge
  indicate about the dispositions and responses that men may make to Jesus? As far as Jesus is
  concerned what two options exist?
• How does Thomas respond to Jesus’ self-revelation and challenge?
• What accounts for Thomas’ response?
• What does Thomas’ confession reveal about the resurrected Jesus? Who do you say He is?
• Who does Jesus say are “blessed” in verse 29? Who is He talking about?
• What does it mean to “believe” in Jesus? Is “faith” simply knowing the true about Jesus? Is
  “faith” simply agreeing with the truth about Jesus?
• For what two purposes was John’s gospel written?
• What does it mean “to have life in [Jesus’] name”?
• What in this account made the greatest impression on you? What was most encouraging or
  helpful to you?
• What, if anything, are you challenged to do on account of this passage?

Close with prayer, thanking God for His Word, asking Him to help you to understand, hold on to, and faithfully apply what you have heard.

Click to download these sermon notes for printing.