Join us for worship as we ask the questions "what if...".

Discussion Questions April 26, 2020

John 20:24-29

1. In today’s sermon, we were invited to ask some “what if” questions about Judas. What if Judas would have waited longer before ending his life? Long enough that he encountered Jesus risen from the grave? What do you think it would have been like for Judas and Jesus to have met each other at some point on that first Easter Sunday?

2. In the reading from the gospel of John, we hear the story of Thomas and Jesus’ other disciples which took place a week after Easter Sunday. What is your understanding of Jesus’ words of greeting when he miraculously appeared: “Peace be with you”?

3. When Jesus responded to Thomas’ declaration of faith, he said in vs. 29” “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” What’s been helping us lately to believe even though we are not always seeing? And what are we truly seeing lately, that is also helping us to believe?

4. The mission of Lithopolis UMC is all about inviting ourselves and others to relationship with Jesus and each other. What if we focused on living out that mission even now? What if either on Facebook or in other ways, we offered to share our online worship videos? What if we started making plans now for when small groups of people can once again safely gather together (like hosting a “watch & worship party” or home-study group)?

5. Here’s a more personal question that we may be okay sharing with others, or possibly we might choose to consider this more in our own hearts and thoughts. Can you identify some memories from over the years that might cause you to ask yourself, “What if…?” So, what if we left our regrets in God’s hands and looked with hope toward what God will do? How would that make a difference in our lives?