Pastor Morné Marais teaches that doubt is a normal part of the faith journey—not the opposite of faith—and shows from Scripture that even the disciples worshiped Jesus and yet some doubted (Matthew 28:17). He uses Thomas in John 20 to explain that Jesus doesn’t shame honest questions; he meets people where they are and calls them to believe. He also reads from Lamentations 3 to show that deep pain and hard questions can still lead to real hope in God’s faithfulness.

Kristin Hileman focuses on why people doubt (suffering, unanswered prayers, education/science, personality, broken trust, hypocrisy) and reminds the group that doubt has always existed. She contrasts Peter (whose doubt draws him closer to Jesus) with Judas (whose doubt pulls him away) to show doubt can either deepen faith or erode it. Practically, she urges believers to let doubt become growth, live with some mystery, keep the gospel central, examine sin/idolatry, and when helping others: lean in with presence, point to Scripture’s laments when helpful, invite them into community, and pray “Lord, I believe—help my unbelief.”

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