HELP MY UNBELIEF:
UNMET EXPECTATIONS

This week we continued our series called "Help My Unbelief". Every single one of us deals with doubts in our lives. Sometimes this may be doubts about our faith, and sometimes this has to do with doubts about our career, relationships, or even identity. The bible is clear that there is nothing wrong with having doubts, but God asks us to trust him when we do. 

In the story of John the Baptist, he sent his disciples to confirm with Jesus if he was really the messiah. John is experiencing a moment of doubt just before his death and Jesus' handling of this doubt is profound. First, Jesus gently rebukes John for his doubt, but then he praises him in front of all who were there - as if to confirm that John had taken the right course in life. The same is true when we bring our doubts to Jesus.

READ MATTHEW 11:1-6

1. What do you think John the Baptist was experiencing when he sent his disciples to Jesus? What do you think was going through his mind?
2. John was there at Jesus' baptism and saw the Holy Spirit descend on him, yet just a couple of years later, he is questioning Jesus' identity. What does this tell you about evidence and doubt?
3. Why do you think that Jesus first gently rebuked John and then praised him?

READ MATTHEW 11:7-11

4. In what way can you relate to John the baptist in this story? Have you ever found yourself questioning something of which you were once certain? 
5. How do you typically respond to someone if they were to communicate to you that they were experiencing doubt in their lives?
6. What does Jesus' recognition of John tell you about the way Jesus approaches those who deal with doubts?
7. Pastor Ian shared the analogy of the biosphere in which scientists grew trees that never had to stand up to wind and were therefore weaker. What spoke to you from this analogy?