Leader Lesson
TEXT: John 20:24-31
DATE: April 12, 2015
The “Context” and “Explanation” sections are for the leader’s preparation for the lesson. The material in these
sections may certainly be used throughout the course of leading your group through discussion, but is not intended
to be read aloud. As a leader, you are to lead and promote discussion. You don’t have to feel the pressure to lecture
or recite this background information verbatim.
Context: Jesus had been killed, his dead body buried for 3 days, and then some people
were saying he had risen! In fact, he had even appeared to Mary Magdalene and the
disciples, minus Thomas. You can imagine that many people were skeptical. There were
rumors flying around (see Matt. 28:12-13), some who saw Jesus still doubted (see Matt.
28:16-17), and even the rest of the disciples appear to have been hesitant to believe the
reports (see Mark 16:10). It took Jesus appearing in the flesh, and showing the disciples
his hands and his side (Mark 20:20) for all the doubt and skepticism to be completely
dispelled.
Explanation:
This passage teaches about Jesus’ bodily resurrection. The thought that only our souls
go the Heaven when we die or that God only cares about our “spiritual” soul seems so
engrained in our way of thinking that we really don’t ever question it. Think about the
depictions of Heaven in movies and cartoons, or lyrics like this from Vince Gill’s song “If
I Die:” “The dirt can have my body, but the Lord, he owns my soul.” But the Bible shows
us that in the resurrection our body and soul will be united in a glorified body. When
Jesus was raised from the dead he could be touched (John 20:27; Matt. 28:9; Luke
24:39) and even ate food (Luke 24:41-43)! But Jesus was also able to pass through walls
(John 20:19, 26) and ascend into Heaven (Acts 1:9). While it is a mystery as to how his
body could be both spiritual and physical, we should begin to see our resurrected
bodies as much more than spirits floating in the air or sitting on clouds. Because Paul
says that Jesus will “transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Phil 3:21)
and that “we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom. 6:5).
This passage shows us a tangible illustration of what the resurrected body will be like
through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
This passage is an encouragement and affirmation to the generations of believers who
were not there to see and touch Jesus’ resurrected body. John wrote this letter way back
in the day (around the 80’s or 90’s AD; about 50 years after Jesus ascended into
Heaven) to people who had never seen the risen Lord. The eye witnesses had for the
most part already died. With this in mind, Jesus wanted all of us to know, everyone
reading this letter all through history all the way up to us today 1) the message of the
witnesses (the Gospels) are reliable and give us “first-hand” proof. 2) We who were not
there are in no worse position to believe. We are “blessed” when we exhibit faith that is
not based on sight or touch.
Leader Lesson
As your group time begins we want to give the group one main point or “Big Question.” It boils down the lesson into
one key, foundational thought that is focused on life application that gives the group an easy-to-remember take
home to frame this lesson and think about during the week.
Even though you haven’t seen or touched the resurrected Jesus, will you believe?
Use this section to help break the ice and to get everyone involved in conversation. We want to provide nonintimidating questions at the beginning to prime the conversation pump so that everyone will be comfortable when
we transition into talking about God’s word together. As the leader, you can shepherd the group by directing the
more chatty group members and inviting the less talkative to join in.
- What is something that happened to you this past week that you are thankful for?
This simple question works to position our heart to be grateful. It allows our group to practice (and model)
gratitude/proper perspective on life. It also allows us to rejoice with one another as we get to dig into people’s lives
as God’s blessings come up.
- Has something ever happened that you thought was too good to be true? You had to
google it, look on twitter, ask someone you know to confirm before you believed it?
- To a lot of people, to believe in God or to believe that Jesus raised from the dead is
about as ridiculous and fanciful as for an adult to believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny.
How/why are the beliefs of Christianity different from believing a fairy tale?
Some potential answers:

Our faith is founded upon historically verifiable eye witness accounts, not legend or myth.

The Christian worldview and our beliefs are logically, historically, and scientifically viable and
consistent. We don’t have to set those things aside in order to believe.
READ: John 20:24-31
Pray: Pray that God would open our eyes to His truth and that our lives would be
changed because of it.
The questions below are designed to engage the group in discussion about the Bible. As the leader, encourage every
group member to be involved. This may involve lovingly guiding the more talkative and inviting the less talkative to
join in.
What does it say about Jesus’ resurrection body that the disciples could touch his scars?
How do we then know this is Jesus’ “glorified body” and not just the same Jesus as
before?
What does it also say about what our experience in Heaven will be like since Paul says
that Jesus will “transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Phil 3:21) and
that “we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom. 6:5).
Leader Lesson
What does it tell us about Jesus’ love and patience toward Thomas that he did the very
things Thomas said he needed to believe? Because of Jesus’ love and patience, how will
he treat us in our times of need, disbelief?
Have you gone through something in the past that Jesus specifically gave you what you
needed? Are you going through something today that you are in need? How might you
be encouraged by this passage?
Have you ever struggled to believe in God and prayed/wished He would just show up
and remove all doubt? How are Jesus’ words in v.29 to comfort us?
Leader, set the tone in answering the questions below. If you are shallow or vague, your group will be as well. Set
the tone by seeking to be transparent, vulnerable, and specific.
Encourage your group members to set reminders as to how they can pray for, encourage, or serve each other this
coming week. “Challenges” often present tangible ways to serve one another .
Ask: “Based on what we’ve learned, how should your life change? What will you do this
coming week to live differently?”
Ask: “How will you live what we learned out loud this week? Who in your life needs to
hear something that we’ve learned together?”
Ask: “What is a challenge that is coming up in your life?” (How might someone in this
group or the whole group help you in that?)
As you close your group time we want to reiterate the one main point or “Big Question” that gives the group an
easy-to-remember take home to frame this lesson and think about during the week.
Even though you haven’t seen or touched the resurrected Jesus, will you believe?