This passage is one of the Bible’s great hidden gems. Can you identify with this man, who has a measure of faith but also recognizes his doubts? Haven’t we all been there? We know what Jesus can do and what He has done, but at times we also understand the gaps in our ability to believe. Again, Jesus doesn’t turn away in disgust, but delivers a healed and whole son to solidify a father’s faith. 

Questions for further thought:
1. Can you identify with this man? Is his request to “…help me in my unbelief” one you might make?
2. Do you think faith comes all at once when we first believe, get stronger with time, or ebbs and flows? What has been your experience?  

​Challenge: Most of us have an area of our faith where we struggle from time to time. Bring one of yours to the Lord and ask Him to help you in your unbelief. Watch for His response and record how He answers your request.

As Pastor Doug pointed out last week, David is described as “…a man after God’s own heart.” He was Israel’s greatest king. Yet in this psalm and in many others, he questions God’s intentions and, at times, His very presence in his life. Yet David’s psalms almost always end in praise of God. While David had doubts and questions, he had also walked closely with God. He knew his God, and His faith was built on the foundation of God’s faithfulness to him and to Israel.

Questions for further thought:
1. Can you recall a time in your life when you wondered where God had gone? How did you work through it?
2. What practices do you have in your life to help you walk closely with God?  

​Challenge: Do you have an accountability partner? If so, share with them what practice you are using or plan to implement to bring you closer to God this week. 

Have you ever been called a Doubting Thomas? This disciple’s doubt is well documented. But think about it…if someone told you that your pastor had come back from the dead, wouldn’t you want some proof? How did Jesus handle his doubt? Not by shaming him for his ‘lack of faith,’ but rather by inviting him to physically examine His wounds. Jesus understands our periodic struggles to have faith in things that lie beyond our experience.

Questions for further thought:
1. What do you think of Doubting Thomas? Would you have reacted differently if you had been in his shoes?
2. How do you picture Jesus reacting to your questions/doubts? 

​Challenge: It’s easy to focus on what is going wrong in our lives and ignore our everyday wins. Tonight, as your head hits the pillow, take a few minutes to reflect on where you and Jesus won together!

Is greater spiritual and biblical wisdom the cure for doubt? Certainly, knowing the Bible is an important path to understanding God’s plan for His creation and for us. But Nicodemus was a learned spiritual leader who recognized that Jesus was no ordinary rabbi. Though he came to Jesus under cover of darkness, he was still brave enough to admit that he didn’t fully understand Jesus’ teachings. We can certainly do the same without condemnation.

Questions for further thought:
1. Do you find it difficult to admit to others (or yourself) that you have questions about some aspects of the Bible? Why or why not?
2. Do you hesitate to bring your questions and doubts to Jesus? 

​Challenge: I am asked almost daily to do something I feel totally unqualified to do, and I doubt my abilities. Could I also be doubting that Jesus could work through me in this area? ​How about you? What were you asked to do today that you weren’t sure you could? Be sure you give Jesus the praise when you do it, because together you can! 

There are those who would have us believe that true faith can only exist in the absence of doubt. But this biblical definition of faith makes it clear that doubt, or at the very least serious questioning, is natural. Faith is based on what we hope for, not what we hold in our hand. It gives shape to what we cannot yet see, not what we observe as a concrete reality. Faith is only required if there is room for doubt.

Questions for further thought:
1. What teachings have you received about the relationship of doubt and faith during your walk the Lord?
2. Are you comfortable with the idea that doubt is necessary in order to have faith? Why or why not?

​Challenge: Theologian F.B. Meyer says, “Unbelief puts our circumstances between us and God. Faith puts God between us and our circumstances.” As you doubt in the circumstance in which you find yourself, invite God into the situation. Embrace His presence in the middle! 

​The tender heart the Tin Man thought he was missing allowed him to get his dream job. He was asked to be the leader of the Winkies, after they were freed from slavery under the Wicked Witch. The Tin Man had the faith to believe he could get a heart. In the same way we need to have faith, otherwise we cannot please God. With sincere faith, we are promised to receive a reward from our God. 

Questions for further thought:
1. What are you currently hoping for?
2. What is your level of faith for that hope?

​Challenge: Hebrews 11 is full of examples of how faith has helped many of our Old Testament heroes. Read the complete chapter and thank God for his faithfulness in our lives.

Along the yellow brick road, the Tin Man was able to show off his tenderheartedness to the characters and the other creatures along the way. He cared about the wildlife they came across in the forest, making sure not to step on any bugs and advising the other characters to protect the deer. In the same way, we are called to be merciful with each other. We are told to love God and love others, including our enemies.

Questions for further thought:
1. Who has shown you mercy in the past?
2. Who do you need to show mercy to right now?

​Challenge: Showing grace can be tough. All of us are broken and imperfect. We have people in our lives that hurt us and give us deep wounds. Take time to pray for the people that have hurt you. Ask God to heal the wounds, so that you can reconcile with them.

The Tin Man’s main desire was a heart. God’s desire for us is to have a purified heart. David cried out this prayer after being confronted about committing adultery. He knew this sin would separate him from God. In the same way, Jesus blessed the people with pure hearts, giving them a promised connection to God.

Questions for further thought:
1. What sin is keeping your from having a pure heart right now?
2. What do you need to do to purify your heart?

​Challenge: David was known to be a man after God’s own heart. I had a college professor who described David as a man who would sin large and ask for forgiveness in larger ways. Take time today to ask for forgiveness in a large way. Go to God with that burden. If your forgiveness requires reconciliation with someone else, set up a call with them to confess to them.

The Tin Man always carried an axe with him. The axe came in handy as he was able to use it to overcome obstacles along the yellow brick road. These include chopping trees to build bridges and fend off the Fighting Trees. In the same way, God has provided His Word to help us through the obstacles of our Godly journey.

Questions for further thought:
1. What obstacles are current blocking your path toward God?
2. How can you use Scripture to help you in your current challenges?

​Challenge: Scripture memorization is a great discipline to help grow your faith. Take time to memorize Scripture. (If you are not sure where to start, when I was a young Christian, my mentor included today’s Scriptures in my memorization list!)

In the Wizard of Oz, we are introduced to the Tin Man as the second character to join Dorothy on the yellow brick road. He was a human who was rusted in place for a year due to a spell from the Wicked Witch of the East. At some time during our life, we all get transformed; sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. The Tin Man thought he was permanently damaged, but something better was in plan for him!

Questions for further thought:
1. What is a past experience that has damaged you permanently?
2. Was there something that came out of this experience for the better?

​Challenge: We have a God that goes before us and prepares the Way for us. Take time to thank Him for both what He has done in your life, and what He is working toward!