WEEK 46.7: Discussion questions below.

Episode Summary

In this Week 46 Explore episode, Nick and Jamie examine Jesus' post-resurrection appearances in John 20:19-29. After discussing imagination prayers and how different people experience them (Jamie sees vivid movies, Nick intuitively senses), they explore Jesus appearing to disciples behind locked doors, pronouncing peace twice, the Johannine Great Commission (being sent as Jesus was sent), receiving the Holy Spirit through Jesus breathing on them, the complex verse about forgiving sins, Thomas' honest doubt and powerful confession "My Lord and my God," the two beatitudes in John's Gospel (believe without seeing, wash feet), and why we need historical evidence rather than scientific proof for resurrection. They conclude emphasizing that John's commission focuses on Christ permeating our being, not just converting people.

Key Points

• Peace Before Doing: Jesus's first word isn't rebuke but "peace" (twice). Any Christianity that doesn't promote inner/outer peace is "knockoff brand." Experience Christ's peace through spiritual practices before going out to serve. You'll minister differently from peace than from angst.

• Johannine Great Commission: "As Father sent me, so I send you." John focuses on BEING like Jesus (loving, serving, revealing God's heart) not just DOING tasks (converting, baptizing).

• Faith and Fear Coexist: The platitude that "faith and fear cannot coexist" is garbage that makes anxious people feel like lesser Christians. Courage means having fear but continuing to act.

• Two Beatitudes Equal Flourishing Life: John's Gospel has only two beatitudes that sum up everything: (1) Blessed are you who believe without seeing (love God), (2) Blessed are you who wash feet (love neighbour). That's it. Believe and wash feet. Follow these and you'll flourish.

• Doubt Isn't Faith's Opposite: Thomas's honest doubt (asking for what everyone else received) wasn't punished but met with mercy. Doubt is healthy part of faith that helps you evolve. Opposite of faith is disinterest in Jesus or disobedience.

Discussion Questions

1. Peace and Fear Together: The disciples had growing faith but still feared authorities. How does understanding that faith and fear can coexist challenge the Christian platitude that "faith and fear cannot mix"? When have you experienced both simultaneously?
   
2. Being vs. Doing Commission: John's commission focuses on being sent as Jesus was sent (to love, serve, reveal God's heart) rather than doing tasks (make disciples, baptize). Rich Villodas said evangelical Christianity desires "Christianity to pervade our culture but not have Christ permeate our being." Which comes more naturally to you—doing Christian activities or letting Christ transform your character?
   
3. Community in Suffering: Thomas may have withdrawn from community in his grief and missed Jesus's first appearance. Nick withdraws when suffering; Jamie masks her pain. How do you typically handle suffering? Do you withdraw, mask it, or invite people in? What might you miss when you suffer alone rather than in community?
   
4. Honest Doubt: Thomas refused to believe unless he could touch Jesus's wounds. Jesus didn't respond with anger but gave him exactly what he needed. When have you wrestled with honest doubt? How did Jesus meet you in that? Why is open-minded doubt that examines evidence healthier than closed-minded skepticism or glib acceptance?
   
5. Historical Evidence: We cannot scientifically prove the resurrection, but we have historical evidence (eyewitness testimony, transformed lives, empty tomb accounts). What evidence for Jesus's resurrection or ongoing presence do you find most compelling? How do you respond when someone demands "scientific proof"?

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