The Journey of Many Mini Steps and Mind Barriers

Sermon Quick Summary
We are continuing our powerful sermon series, The Journey of Many Mini Steps. This message is based on John 20:14-29. Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, doubted the resurrection until Thomas could see and touch Jesus. Instead of rebuking Thomas, Jesus met Thomas in his doubts and gave Thomas exactly what he needed to believe. Skepticism is not something to fear; it is an opportunity.  Evangelism isn’t about forcing people to believe instantly. Rather it is about answering their questions and allowing them to take many mini steps towards faith. Jesus did not dismiss Thomas because of his doubts, but Jesus drew Thomas closer. Our challenge today is to respond like Jesus engaging a skeptic with their mental barriers. Jesus understood the characteristics that define skepticism. Christians often do not listen well and talk too much before hearing what is being said by the other person. That other person may have mental barriers from being hurt by bad experiences from others including church people. Listening like Jesus is listening for the question behind the stated question. Responding like Jesus is also adopting humility in relationship with others to avoid living on the defensive when questioned or ridiculed.  Responding like Jesus is also valuing the other person instead of trying to win an argument. We should get comfortable with sometimes saying “I do not know.” Then responding like Jesus is sharing your individual story of why you believe what you believe. In responding like Jesus, you agree with the other person wherever you can; their mental barriers could well be the same as yours. Responding like Jesus involves building a connection with the other person and leaving salvation to the divine God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS          
This message is based John 20:14-29.
-Read John 20:14-29. Here is the NIV translation: 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” What mind barriers did Thomas have? How did Jesus respond to the skepticism of Thomas?
Skepticism is not something to fear; it is an opportunity.
-If you have a history of viewing skepticism as something to be feared, why were you fearful? How can a disciple of Jesus view skepticism as an opportunity through many mini steps to bring another to faith?
Christians often do not listen well by talking too much before hearing what is being said by the other person.
-As a disciple of Jesus Christ, why is it so important to begin by first listening?
-In what circumstances have you seen in the experiences of others or yourself hurt and trauma from hypocritical actions of church people rather than mercy and the opportunity to repent and turn back to God?
-Describe how you or someone else has experienced hurt and trauma from the hypocritical actions of church people. Rather, how would the demonstration of mercy have drawn that person to God?
Listening like Jesus is listening for the question behind the stated question.
-When have you had the opportunity to present Jesus as the answer by listening and waiting for the question behind the question?
Responding like Jesus is also adopting humility in relationship with others to avoid living on the defensive when questioned or ridiculed.  
-When have you had the opportunity to adopt humility in relationship with others, without defending yourself?
Responding like Jesus is also valuing the other person instead of trying to win an argument.
-When have you had the opportunity to love and value your neighbor (all you have a relationship with) instead of trying to win an argument?
We should get comfortable with sometimes saying “I do not know.”
-How does sometimes responding “I do not know” exhibit your own humility and love for your neighbor?
-How would you respond in humility and love to a skeptic’s typical question that certain people in the world have never heard of Jesus and are going to hell? Focus on your opportunity in humility and love in dealing with the questions of a skeptic, not on an argument.
-Are you the one who needs to answer about their destiny in heaven or hell?
Then responding like Jesus is sharing your individual story of why you believe what you believe.
-How is God inviting you as a disciple following Jesus to tell your individual story, not to save anyone yourself? How does your story glorify God who has brought you through so much?
In responding like Jesus, you agree with the other person wherever you can; their mental barriers could well be the same as yours.
-As you get points of agreement in telling your story, how does this become your opportunity to share the mind barriers that God has brought you through?
Responding like Jesus involves building a connection with the other person and leaving salvation to the divine God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
-Why is it so important to leave a person’s salvation to the divine God, the Messiah Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit?