NOTES: Doubt is often cast as the inevitable vacuum created by lack of proof. But it isn't always that way; doubt is often an emotional, psychological reaction, a choice of denial in a moment of shock, surprise. Perhaps this is more akin to Thomas's firm stance against the testimony of ten trusted companions, who themselves doubted, as the end of the Gospel of Mark reports. In John 20, Thomas stands out because he's the eleventh and final one to come around, but Peter and the others did no better earlier; they hadn't believed the two from Emmaus, nor Mary. After the Resurrection, there was a break in the testimonial chain of belief where Jesus intended continuity. At the end of Mark, Jesus chides all; in John 20, he chides Thomas, blesses future believers, and John concludes with an affirmation of the purpose and authenticity of this Gospel account.
Where does that leave us? How connected are we to this "chain of belief"? Is this a poor design on the Lord's part? Or have we exalted doubt, feeling entitled to withhold belief until the last possible shadow of speculation is illuminated by scientific proof - or divine light of personal experience? Nobody wants to be a sucker; but there is more than one kind; it is possible to be a sucker for doubt. Was Thomas at that moment? Are we? Jesus intends disciples - us - to act in faith; does doubt stand in our way; do we reward doubt? In what ways is the Spirit saying "Stop doubting and believe" to you? To Emmaus Road?
For youth/children:
Q: who in their lives can be trusted, to pass on knowledge of Jesus (similar to last week's point); why wouldn't Thomas believe his friends?
Q: Do they have believable friends/family?
Q: Have the kids ever doubted something, someone, later to find out it was true? Have they ever taken a physical risk - like climbing a ladder, or walking a narrow ledge, or ascending a cliff on a rope - where they doubted they would be OK for fear of falling? Roller coaster rides can be like that (Asia's example of joy mixed with fear last week).
There's an episode in the great allegory Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan, ©1678), in which the main characters, Christian and Hopeful, deal with doubt. They've strayed from the path, the Way, the King’s Highway, because it became difficult. An easier side-path, smoother, less rocky, seems OK because it runs parallel to the main path; it's a tempting choice. Problem is, while the by-path begins in a parallel direction, it eventually veers off, a fact Christian and Hopeful do not realize until it's dark and stormy, and their route back to the Way is impassable due to flooding. Tired, they fall asleep in a shelter they find. They are awakened on by Giant Despair, the one on whose grounds they had trespassed by leaving the Way. Giant Despair hauls them off to a dark, stinking dungeon, in his Doubting Castle. Over the course of a few days and nights, the Giant beats them with a club, screams at them, and tells them they’d be better off if they killed themselves. He shows them the skulls and bones of other victims, and threatens he will kill them in ten days. He is lieing, though; these remains belong to those who gave in to Despair and ended their own lives. Giant Despair cannot kill them himself; when he tries, he is overcome by fits and cannot use his arms.
But as the beating and raging continue, Christian begins to wear out, and begins contemplating suicide. It is Christian's friend, Hopeful, who reminds Christian about his past experience, making it through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, overcoming the monster Appollyon. As Giant Despair complains to his wife that he cannot wear these pilgrims down, Christian and Hopeful begin to pray. Christian is reminded that he’s been given a key, called Promise, and realizes that they are not trapped in this dungeon at all. Thus, they unlock the iron gates, and though the Giant is awakened by the noise of their escape, he cannot reach or chase after them, and they return to the King’s Highway.
Where does that leave us? How connected are we to this "chain of belief"? Is this a poor design on the Lord's part? Or have we exalted doubt, feeling entitled to withhold belief until the last possible shadow of speculation is illuminated by scientific proof - or divine light of personal experience? Nobody wants to be a sucker; but there is more than one kind; it is possible to be a sucker for doubt. Was Thomas at that moment? Are we? Jesus intends disciples - us - to act in faith; does doubt stand in our way; do we reward doubt? In what ways is the Spirit saying "Stop doubting and believe" to you? To Emmaus Road?
For youth/children:
Q: who in their lives can be trusted, to pass on knowledge of Jesus (similar to last week's point); why wouldn't Thomas believe his friends?
Q: Do they have believable friends/family?
Q: Have the kids ever doubted something, someone, later to find out it was true? Have they ever taken a physical risk - like climbing a ladder, or walking a narrow ledge, or ascending a cliff on a rope - where they doubted they would be OK for fear of falling? Roller coaster rides can be like that (Asia's example of joy mixed with fear last week).
There's an episode in the great allegory Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan, ©1678), in which the main characters, Christian and Hopeful, deal with doubt. They've strayed from the path, the Way, the King’s Highway, because it became difficult. An easier side-path, smoother, less rocky, seems OK because it runs parallel to the main path; it's a tempting choice. Problem is, while the by-path begins in a parallel direction, it eventually veers off, a fact Christian and Hopeful do not realize until it's dark and stormy, and their route back to the Way is impassable due to flooding. Tired, they fall asleep in a shelter they find. They are awakened on by Giant Despair, the one on whose grounds they had trespassed by leaving the Way. Giant Despair hauls them off to a dark, stinking dungeon, in his Doubting Castle. Over the course of a few days and nights, the Giant beats them with a club, screams at them, and tells them they’d be better off if they killed themselves. He shows them the skulls and bones of other victims, and threatens he will kill them in ten days. He is lieing, though; these remains belong to those who gave in to Despair and ended their own lives. Giant Despair cannot kill them himself; when he tries, he is overcome by fits and cannot use his arms. 
But as the beating and raging continue, Christian begins to wear out, and begins contemplating suicide. It is Christian's friend, Hopeful, who reminds Christian about his past experience, making it through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, overcoming the monster Appollyon. As Giant Despair complains to his wife that he cannot wear these pilgrims down, Christian and Hopeful begin to pray. Christian is reminded that he’s been given a key, called Promise, and realizes that they are not trapped in this dungeon at all. Thus, they unlock the iron gates, and though the Giant is awakened by the noise of their escape, he cannot reach or chase after them, and they return to the King’s Highway.Q: How might forgetting the past lead to doubt?
Q: Did Thomas forget some of his own journey with Jesus? Is this why he doubted Jesus' prophecies concerning Resurrection, or why he doubted his friends' reports of seeing the living Jesus?
Q: Are we ever alone in Doubting Castle? Is the story of Jesus' appearance to his disciples, including Thomas, and the blessing he decrees near the end, Good News for believers who struggle with doubt? Why?
