24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”
28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.
29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book.
Have you ever had doubts about the validity of your belief in God? If so, what caused you to doubt - something you read, heard, thought?
Atheists, or doubters in Christ, allege that we believe without evidence or reason, that ours is a blind faith. Why do you think they state that?
Is it wrong to want evidence before you believe/have faith or trust someone or something?
To further understand the concept of biblical faith or belief and evidence, let explore the subject by reading John 20:24-30.
What are your thoughts of this passage? Is there anything that jumps out at you?
Are you comfortable with Thomas’ demands for evidence, before he believes?
Did the disciples pressure him to belief without evidence? Did Jesus condemn him for not believing without evidence?
Read Luke 1:1-4. What words suggests that Luke believed that faith is a commitment based on evidence?
Read 1 Peter 3:15. The disciples believed because they saw, and examined a once crucified Jesus who was now alive. What is your evidence or reasoning to believe in God today?
Resource: For further understanding of this subject, consider reading a very small book entitled, “Can Science Explain Everything?” by John Lennox. You may want to share the book with your teenage or adult children too.