Living with Uncertainty
- Mark Batterson
- Aug 28, 2021
- 3 min read
SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE
The Doubters Club
The Doubters Club: The Uncertainty Principle
April 10th & 11th
Speaker: Dr. Mark Batterson
Scripture: John 20:24
Series Overview
“The Doubters Club has many members, from Job to Sarah, to Thomas, one of Christ’s own
disciples. Doubt is both a common and shared experience for many of us in the Beloved
community. Although doubt can be a disorientating and a confusing experience, Christ walked
through a wall to sit with Thomas in his doubt and he would do the same for you. As Thomas
Merton once said, “though I may seem to be lost… I will not fear, for You are ever with me.”
Series Discussion Questions
Where have you experienced doubt in your life?
Message Overview
Life is infinitely uncertain and God is infinitely complex. The net result? Doubt. We think of doubt
in negative terms, but it’s a key catalyst when it comes to faith. Doubt breaks down our false
narratives, false assumptions, and false beliefs. It forces us to deconstruct and reconstruct our
faith by digging a little deeper. How do you deal with doubt? 1. Seek Wise Counsel 2. Keep
Asking Questions 3. Create a Deuteronomy 29:29 File 4. Take a Field Trip 5. When all else fails,
Eat A Watermelon. Yes, eat a watermelon. Trust me, it’ll make sense when you listen to the
message!
Message-Specific Discussion Questions
How do you respond when you have moments of doubt?
Read John 20:24-27. In this passage, Jesus comes to Thomas and says: “Put your finger here;
see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” When
was a time that Jesus showed up during a time of doubt in your life? How did you respond?
© 2021 National Community Church
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SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE
The Doubters Club
Pastor Mark stated: “Faith is a lot like the apps on your phone. If you don’t update them, if you
don’t upgrade them, they will eventually stop working.” Take some time to think about an area
of your life where you need to grow in faith. What can you do to strengthen your faith
regarding that area this week?
Pastor Mark presented five applications to do when you are feeling doubt: 1. Seek wise
counsel, 2. Keep asking questions, 3. Create a Deuteronomy 29:29 file, 4. Take a two-foot field
trip, & 5. Eat a watermelon.
1. How has a mentor helped you in a time of doubt?
2. Jesus said, “Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be
opened to you.” What questions do you need to ask?
3. Deuteronomy 29:29 says that the secret things belong to God. What do you need to
release to the Father today?
4. In Genesis 15 God tells Abraham to look up at the sky. What has God promised you?
5. Pastor Mark said: “Anyone can count the number of seeds in a watermelon. Only God
can count the number of watermelons in a seed.” What uncertainty do you need to
embrace?
Practical Application
□ Take some time to journal through the five applications that Pastor Mark presented this
week. Send a message of thanks and encouragement to someone who has helped you
in a time of doubt.
□ Join us throughout The Doubters Club series, as we dig into God’s Word and practice the
S.O.A.P. (Scripture, observation, application, prayer) method of Bible study together
throughout the week. Subscribe at NCC Daily
□ Climb the stairs to the Upper Zoom each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:14am.
We’ll come together as a community to start our days in His presence together, listening
intently, and responding in prayer. Register at ncc.re/UpperZoom.
© 2021 National Community Church
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Life is infinitely uncertain and God is infinitely complex. The net result? Doubt. We think of doubt in negative terms, but it’s a key catalyst when it comes to faith. Doubt breaks down our false narratives, false assumptions, and false beliefs. It forces us to deconstruct and reconstruct our faith by digging a little deeper. How do you deal with doubt?
doubt
Preached at National Community Church.
Used by permission.