Embracing Doubt: A Pathway to Deeper Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Hunger and Introspection

In today's world, there is a noticeable spiritual hunger, with many people seeking a deeper connection with Jesus. This is evident in the increasing number of baptisms and conversions worldwide. However, alongside this spiritual awakening, there is also a trend of deconstruction and deconversion among those who once identified as Christians. This duality is a call for introspection within the Christian community, urging us to consider how we can better support those grappling with doubts and questions about their faith. [00:00]

"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things." (Psalm 107:9, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life is experiencing spiritual hunger or doubt? How can you reach out to them this week to offer support and understanding?

Day 2: Grace in Doubt

The story of Peter walking on water, as recounted in Matthew 14, serves as a powerful illustration of how Jesus responds to doubt. When Peter began to sink, Jesus did not condemn him but reached out to save him. This act of grace is a reminder that Jesus meets us in our doubts and extends compassion rather than judgment. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus consistently showed grace to those who doubted, whether it was Thomas, the disciples, or John the Baptist. This pattern of grace should inspire us to create a church environment where questions and doubts are welcomed and addressed with love. [05:28]

"But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.'" (Matthew 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced doubt. How did you feel Jesus' presence during that time, and how can you extend that same grace to others in your community?

Day 3: Doubt as a Pathway

Doubt is not the enemy of faith; rather, it can be a pathway to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. It is essential to approach doubt as an invitation to explore and strengthen our faith, rather than as a sign of weakness. Deconstruction, when done in a healthy and supportive community, can be a form of discipleship that leads to a more authentic understanding of God. It involves examining our beliefs, letting go of what is untrue, and building on what is true. [10:26]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: What doubts or questions about your faith have you been avoiding? How can you begin to explore these doubts in a way that strengthens your relationship with God?

Day 4: Healthy Deconstruction

Healthy deconstruction, done in a supportive community, can be a form of discipleship. It involves examining beliefs, discarding falsehoods, and building on truth, leading to a more authentic faith. This process requires courage and vulnerability, as it often involves questioning long-held beliefs and being open to new understandings. By engaging in healthy deconstruction, we can develop a faith that is resilient and true, grounded in the teachings of Jesus. [20:29]

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28, ESV)

Reflection: What belief or tradition have you held onto that may need re-examination? How can you approach this process with an open heart and mind?

Day 5: Grounding Beliefs in Jesus' Teachings

To navigate doubts and questions, it is crucial to ground our beliefs in the teachings of Jesus, as found in the Gospels. By interpreting the Bible through the lens of Jesus' love and grace, we can develop a faith that is resilient and true. When faced with doubts, we should remember that Jesus is always reaching out to us, ready to guide us through our uncertainties and lead us to a deeper faith. [27:53]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the teachings of Jesus more deeply into your daily life? What specific steps can you take to ensure His love and grace guide your understanding of Scripture?

Sermon Summary

In today's world, there is a noticeable spiritual hunger, with many people seeking a deeper connection with Jesus. This is evident in the increasing number of baptisms and conversions worldwide. However, alongside this spiritual awakening, there is also a trend of deconstruction and deconversion among those who once identified as Christians. This duality is a call for introspection within the Christian community, urging us to consider how we can better support those grappling with doubts and questions about their faith.

The story of Peter walking on water, as recounted in Matthew 14, serves as a powerful illustration of how Jesus responds to doubt. When Peter began to sink, Jesus did not condemn him but reached out to save him. This act of grace is a reminder that Jesus meets us in our doubts and extends compassion rather than judgment. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus consistently showed grace to those who doubted, whether it was Thomas, the disciples, or John the Baptist. This pattern of grace should inspire us to create a church environment where questions and doubts are welcomed and addressed with love.

Doubt is not the enemy of faith; rather, it can be a pathway to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. It is essential to approach doubt as an invitation to explore and strengthen our faith, rather than as a sign of weakness. Deconstruction, when done in a healthy and supportive community, can be a form of discipleship that leads to a more authentic understanding of God. It involves examining our beliefs, letting go of what is untrue, and building on what is true.

To navigate doubts and questions, it is crucial to ground our beliefs in the teachings of Jesus, as found in the Gospels. By interpreting the Bible through the lens of Jesus' love and grace, we can develop a faith that is resilient and true. When faced with doubts, we should remember that Jesus is always reaching out to us, ready to guide us through our uncertainties and lead us to a deeper faith.

Key Takeaways

1. Spiritual hunger is evident today, with many seeking Jesus, yet some are deconstructing their faith. This duality calls for introspection and a supportive community for those with doubts. [00:00]
2. Jesus' response to Peter's doubt on the water illustrates His grace. He meets us in our doubts, offering compassion rather than condemnation, which should inspire us to create a welcoming church environment. [05:28]
3. Doubt is not the enemy of faith but a pathway to deeper understanding. It invites exploration and growth, leading to a more meaningful relationship with God. [10:26]
4. Healthy deconstruction, done in a supportive community, can be a form of discipleship. It involves examining beliefs, discarding falsehoods, and building on truth, leading to a more authentic faith. [20:29]
5. Grounding beliefs in Jesus' teachings, as found in the Gospels, helps navigate doubts. By interpreting the Bible through Jesus' love, we develop a resilient and true faith. [27:53]
** [27:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Spiritual Hunger and Deconstruction
[02:30] - Personal Story of Homeschooling
[04:15] - Peter's Doubt on the Water
[06:00] - Jesus' Grace in Doubt
[08:30] - Examples of Doubt in Scripture
[10:26] - Why Do You Doubt?
[12:00] - Personal Doubt Experience
[14:57] - Doubt as Invitation, Not Accusation
[17:00] - Deconstruction: Harmful or Helpful?
[20:29] - Healthy Deconstruction and Discipleship
[23:00] - Building Belief on the Bible
[25:00] - Bias in Reading the Bible
[27:53] - Interpreting Through Jesus' Love
[30:00] - Peter's Restoration and Our Faith Journey
[32:24] - Prayer and Invitation to Faith

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- Matthew 14:22-33

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**Observation Questions:**

In Matthew 14, what was Peter's initial reaction when he saw Jesus walking on water, and how did Jesus respond to Peter's doubt? [05:28]
According to the sermon, how does Jesus' response to Peter's doubt illustrate His character and approach to those who doubt? [05:28]
What examples from the New Testament were given in the sermon to show how Jesus handled doubt among His followers? [10:26]
How does the sermon describe the current trend of deconstruction and deconversion among Christians? [02:30]

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**Interpretation Questions:**

How does the story of Peter walking on water serve as a metaphor for dealing with doubt in one's faith journey? [05:28]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of doubt in developing a deeper relationship with God? [10:26]
How can the concept of healthy deconstruction, as described in the sermon, lead to a more authentic understanding of God? [20:29]
In what ways does grounding our beliefs in the teachings of Jesus help us navigate doubts and uncertainties? [27:53]

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**Application Questions:**

Reflect on a time when you experienced doubt in your faith. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jesus' response to Peter's doubt? [05:28]
The sermon suggests that doubt can be a pathway to a deeper faith. How can you approach your own doubts as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles? [10:26]
Consider the idea of healthy deconstruction. Are there any beliefs you hold that might need re-examination in light of Jesus' teachings? How can you begin this process in a supportive community? [20:29]
How can you create a more welcoming environment in your church or small group for those who are grappling with doubts and questions? [05:28]
Think about the biases you might bring when reading the Bible. How can you ensure that your interpretation is aligned with the love and grace of Jesus? [27:53]
Identify a specific area of your faith where you feel uncertain. What steps can you take this week to seek clarity and understanding through prayer, study, or discussion with others? [32:24]
How can you support someone in your life who is experiencing doubt or deconstructing their faith, ensuring that you offer grace and understanding as Jesus did? [32:24]

Sermon Clips

"In almost 30 years of leading the church, I think that I'm seeing perhaps more of a kind of organic spiritual hunger with people asking questions and seeking the things of Jesus today, maybe unlike any time in my history of leading this church. I mean, if you look at last week, on one weekend in one church, 2,200 and what, 19 people baptized, new name, new life in Christ. To the glory of God, we see people all over the world coming to faith in Christ, and I wanna acknowledge that and give God praise for it. And at the same time, tragically, there are some who call themselves Christians that are deciding not to be Christians." [00:08:44] (51 seconds)

"And so, I just wanna say very sincerely, if you right now maybe have a spiritual hurt or a doubt, you're wrestling with some questions, I believe God wants to speak to you. And the title of this message is, God Can Handle Your Doubts. So I wanna pray, God, thank you for this amazing, faithful community of believers. And I pray, God, for every single person here, questions and all, that as we seek your son Jesus, that he would do a work in us and that your Holy Spirit would draw us close to you. And if we do have hurts or questions or fears or things we can't answer, God, that we could take them to you." [00:03:43] (40 seconds)

"He asked him the question, why did you doubt? And what's interesting is what did Jesus do whenever Peter doubted? If you notice, Jesus reached out his hand, and he met Peter in his doubt. This is powerful. Jesus didn't reject him for his doubt, but he rescued Peter from his doubt. In fact, when you look at scripture, and you just look at every time Jesus would encounter somebody that had questions or didn't understand or doubted, you'll notice that Jesus took time, had grace and had compassion for them." [00:06:23] (44 seconds)

"In fact, when you look at scripture, and you just look at every time Jesus would encounter somebody that had questions or didn't understand or doubted, you'll notice that Jesus took time, had grace and had compassion for them. Let me show you some examples. Some we've looked at and some we haven't. Peter, we just saw this, he doubted, and Jesus didn't condemn him, but Jesus pulled him out of the water and rescued him. Last week, we looked at Thomas. He doubted and said, I need to see to believe, and Jesus gave him what he needed, and he gave him proof." [00:06:51] (32 seconds)

"And so what I wanna do is I wanna remind you of what we talked about last week and build on the foundation that your doubts don't disqualify your faith. We learned the principle that doubt isn't the enemy of faith, but doubt is often a pathway to a deeper, more meaningful faith. In other words, like if you doubt, that doesn't make you a bad Christian. It just makes you a human being. And doubt isn't the enemy of faith. In fact, sometimes you have to push through your doubts in order to get the answers that build your faith to be even closer to Jesus than you were before." [00:09:37] (39 seconds)

"process don't panic because sometimes you get you doubt a little bit around christians and they get all weird on you don't let weird christians run you out the door you know what i'm talking about i don't mean to be critical but some of you're weird i'm like you're good at you like you got the spiritual gift of weird someone starts to doubt and what do you do you're like you must not be reading your bible that's just mean you but you don't have enough faith that they look at you that kind of shame be like hey stop letting the world influence you or your parents say hey just believe just like we taught you and with really good intentions sometimes unintentionally they'll actually push people away from the church and what happens today in today's culture when someone's pushed away well often they start to deconstruct how many of you know what deconstruction is raise your hand raise your hand it's a controversial subject and i'm going to say some things that'll make some of you mad what is deconstruction it's an emotionally charged topic and there's lots of different opinions about it so pastorally i'll tell you right now that deconstruction in my opinion done poorly can be very destructive to someone that done with the wrong people um in in the wrong type of community can you can take someone that's maybe they they were a christian and then they're hurt by another christian they get mad at god they get mad at the church they get mad at everybody and in the name of deconstructing they end up unintentionally filtering everything through their hearts and instead of getting better which was their goal they just get bitter not necessarily their fault they just get pissed at everybody and done poorly deconstruction can be very very very destructive" [00:16:49] (110 seconds)

"Let me say it again, and this is gonna really make some of you mad, but deconstruction done well in a community of loving people can be very helpful, sometimes it's necessary. So what is healthy deconstruction? I'll give you a definition of it. Healthy deconstruction is a sincere examination of your beliefs, letting go of what's untrue to build on what is true. It's a sincere examination. It's going, okay, is this what I think I believe? Is this true and is it helpful or is it untrue?" [00:18:50] (34 seconds)

"Five times in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, you've heard it said, but let me bring a little deeper explanation to what you think that you believe is the whole story. And if there's any part of what you believe that's not consistent with who my Father is, we're gonna deconstruct what you don't believe, and we're gonna build on what is true. And if you watch, Jesus had to do this with Peter over and over again. In Matthew 16, Jesus said, I'm gonna go to Jerusalem, and I'm gonna have to suffer, and I'm gonna be killed, and on the third day, I'm gonna be raised from the dead. And Peter's like, no, no, Jesus, never. That's not gonna happen to you." [00:20:39] (45 seconds)

"You build your belief system on the B -I -B -L -E, right? Not exactly. The problem is, you can go to the B -I -B -L -E with good intentions, but you have to remember, everyone reads the Bible with a bias. You do. I told you that was gonna be a little controversial, this message. But you take the same Bible, same text, and you go to one church and they'll preach it with one focus. You go to another church, they'll preach it with another focus. You go to another church, they'll preach it with a different tone. You go to another church and they'll bring a little different theology to it because everybody, including you, including me, we read the Bible through our own filters." [00:23:07] (52 seconds)

"And so what do you do with your faith if you realize there's something that's not true? Well, when you discover something that you believed isn't true, you unbelieve what isn't true, and you pursue what is true. That's what you do. You unbelieve it. Say, I'm going to put that aside, and you pursue what's true. So how do you interpret the Bible? And earlier I said, you know, you go to the Bible, well, you go with a bias. The best thing you can do when you're going to the Bible, I would say." [00:27:21] (31 seconds)

"Because three different times, someone said, hey, do you believe in Jesus? You're like, no, no, I don't. Hey, Peter, were you one of those disciples? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, I look like him, but no, I'm not him. Hey, Peter, weren't you one of those Jesus followers? Yeah, no, no, no. And so you could argue, what did he do? He doubted, and you could say, he kind of left the faith. And what happened after Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead? In John 21, you can read about it. It's really meaningful. Jesus." [00:29:07] (35 seconds)

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