Small Group Study 11/5/20

Jesus appears to the Disciples (Jn 20:19-23)

Let’s begin by reading the passage.

What do you think the disciples were feeling at this moment?

Remember, Mary had announced meeting Jesus back in vs 18.

Early in the book Jesus promises to replace grief with joy.

John 16:20 ESV

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

Interesting:

What did the locked doors mean for the disciples?

What did the locked doors mean for John as he wrote his gospel?

The Holy Spirit

Most believe that the giving of the Holy Spirit here was just a temporary giving of the Spirit prior to the day of Pentecost.

How do we understand verse 23?

The verbs “are forgiven” and “are retained” are in the “perfect” tense which means they are ongoing in their completion.

How does the difference between absolution and proclamation help us understand the passage?

Ok, so Jesus breathes on the disciples and gives them the Holy Spirit. Then he grants them authority to proclaim forgiveness of or lack of forgiveness over people. The Holy Spirit teaches and guides us and helps us to know God’s truth.

Does the Holy Spirit equip us to proclaim the forgiveness of sins or lack thereof today? What might this look like?

The Invitation (Jn 20:24-31)

Let’s read the passage.

The phrase in vs 25 is actually imperfect so instead of “The disciples told him” it should be, “The disciples kept on telling him...”

Thomas is actually pretty frustrated at this point.

Let’s note the gap of 8 days after Thomas delivers this proclamation.

Also note John tells us the doors are locked again.

vs26-27 —Jesus doesn’t rebuke Thomas but instead he presents evidence to give Thomas peace and belief.

We are 4 books into the New Testament and no one has said to Jesus “My Lord and my God.” What is the significance of John putting this here?

John 20:29 ESV

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

This is the blessing we have. We have the privilege of believing even without seeing Jesus.

The purpose of John (Jn 20:30-31)

John records 10 of Jesus’ miracles.

John D. A Genuine Invitation (20:24–31)

G. Campbell Morgan calls the resurrection “faith’s anchorage” and tells us: “The living risen Christ is the Centre of the church’s creed, the Creator of her character, and the Inspiration of her conduct. His resurrection is the clearest note in her battle-song. It is the sweetest, strongest music amid all her sorrows. It speaks of personal salvation. It promises the life that has no ending, it declares to all bereaved souls that ‘them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him,’ and therefore the light of his resurrection falls in radiant beauty upon the graves where rest the dust of the holy dead” (Morgan, p. 341).

What lessons can we learn from Thomas to strengthen our faith?

What other lessons can we learn from the passage today?