Character Study: Thomas Character Study: Thomas From Doubt to Faith From Doubt to Faith Various Passages Various Bible Passages

What’s happening? What’s happening?  The Apostle Thomas was referred to as the “Twin” (or “Didymus” in  The Apostle Thomas was referred to as the “______” (or “Didymus” Greek). We do not have much information on his background. It appears in Greek). We do not have much information on his background. It appears that he had a twin, though Scripture tells us nothing about that sibling. that he a had twin, though Scripture tells us nothing about that sibling.  Thomas could be viewed as a pessimist, though he was also a loyal and  Thomas could be viewed as a ______, though he was also a ______passionate follower of Christ. When prepared to go to to and ______follower of Christ. When Jesus prepared to go to raise Lazarus from the dead, the Apostles feared for His safety, knowing Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead, the Apostles feared for His safety, the Jews sought to kill Him. Yet, Thomas felt they should all go and “die knowing the Jews sought to kill Him. Yet, Thomas felt they should all go with him” (:8, 14-16). Later, when Jesus explained that He was and “_____ with ______” (John 11:8, 14-16). Later, when Jesus explained going to the Father and that they would join Him, Thomas answered out of that He was going to the Father and that they would join Him, Thomas concern, “How can we know the way?” (:1-6) answered out of concern, “How can we know the way?” (John 14:1-6)  Thomas is mostly known for his reaction to hearing about the resurrec-  Thomas is mostly known for his ______to hearing about the resur- tion of Jesus. He was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other rection of Jesus. He was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other Apostles, and thus responded with doubt when hearing the news. However, Apostles, and thus responded with ______when hearing the news. How- eight days later when Jesus appeared again, He asked Thomas to see His ever, eight days later when Jesus appeared again, He asked Thomas to see hands and touch His side. Seeing and believing, Thomas responded in faith His hands and touch His side. Seeing and believing, Thomas responded in and stated, “My Lord and my God.” (:24-28) faith and stated, “My ______and my ______.” (John 20:24-28)  Many sources show that Thomas went on to take the gospel to Iran and  Many sources show that Thomas went on to take the gospel to Iran and India. There are even churches in India today that trace their roots back to India. There are even ______in India today that trace their roots the ministry of Thomas. It was in India where he also faced opposition, as back to the ministry of Thomas. It was in India where he also faced opposi- he was killed by men with a spear and became a martyr for Christ. tion, as he was killed by men with a spear and became a martyr for Christ.

What’s God doing? What’s God doing?  Thomas had never wanted to be separated from the Lord, so after Jesus’  Thomas had never wanted to be separated from the Lord, so after Jesus’ death, he was devastated. The idea that Jesus had risen from the dead was death, he was devastated. The idea that Jesus had risen from the dead was more than he would emotionally and mentally accept without proof. Yet the more than he would emotionally and mentally accept without ______. Yet Lord compassionately revealed Himself and removed any doubt. the Lord compassionately ______Himself and removed any doubt.

What’s to learn? What’s to learn?  Thomas is remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” but the other Apostles  Thomas is remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” but the other Apostles also doubted the resurrection at first (see Mark 16:9-14). It was, however, also doubted the resurrection at first (see Mark 16:9-14). It was, however, through his doubt that Jesus taught an important lesson. He said, “Have through his doubt that Jesus taught an important lesson. He said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Doubt is rooted in unnecessary seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Doubt is rooted in unnecessary fear, whereas faith is based on what Christ has already revealed. God is ______, whereas faith is based on what Christ has already ______. not only pleased with, but also blesses, those who live by faith! God is not only pleased with, but also blesses, those who live by faith!

Character Study: Thomas Character Study: Thomas From Doubt to Faith From Doubt to Faith Various Bible Passages Various Bible Passages

What’s happening? What’s happening?  The Apostle Thomas was referred to as the “Twin” (or “Didymus” in  The Apostle Thomas was referred to as the “Twin” (or “Didymus” in Greek). We do not have much information on his background. It appears Greek). We do not have much information on his background. It appears that he had a twin, though Scripture tells us nothing about that sibling. that he had a twin, though Scripture tells us nothing about that sibling.  Thomas could be viewed as a pessimist, though he was also a loyal and  Thomas could be viewed as a pessimist, though he was also a loyal and passionate follower of Christ. When Jesus prepared to go to Bethany to passionate follower of Christ. When Jesus prepared to go to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead, the Apostles feared for His safety, knowing raise Lazarus from the dead, the Apostles feared for His safety, knowing the Jews sought to kill Him. Yet, Thomas felt they should all go and “die the Jews sought to kill Him. Yet, Thomas felt they should all go and “die with him” (John 11:8, 14-16). Later, when Jesus explained that He was with him” (John 11:8, 14-16). Later, when Jesus explained that He was going to the Father and that they would join Him, Thomas answered out of going to the Father and that they would join Him, Thomas answered out of concern, “How can we know the way?” (John 14:1-6) concern, “How can we know the way?” (John 14:1-6)  Thomas is mostly known for his reaction to hearing about the resurrec-  Thomas is mostly known for his reaction to hearing about the resurrec- tion of Jesus. He was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other tion of Jesus. He was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other Apostles, and thus responded with doubt when hearing the news. However, Apostles, and thus responded with doubt when hearing the news. However, eight days later when Jesus appeared again, He asked Thomas to see His eight days later when Jesus appeared again, He asked Thomas to see His hands and touch His side. Seeing and believing, Thomas responded in faith hands and touch His side. Seeing and believing, Thomas responded in faith and stated, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:24-28) and stated, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:24-28)  Many sources show that Thomas went on to take the gospel to Iran and  Many sources show that Thomas went on to take the gospel to Iran and India. There are even churches in India today that trace their roots back to India. There are even churches in India today that trace their roots back to the ministry of Thomas. It was in India where he also faced opposition, as the ministry of Thomas. It was in India where he also faced opposition, as he was killed by men with a spear and became a martyr for Christ. he was killed by men with a spear and became a martyr for Christ.

What’s God doing? What’s God doing?  Thomas had never wanted to be separated from the Lord, so after Jesus’  Thomas had never wanted to be separated from the Lord, so after Jesus’ death, he was devastated. The idea that Jesus had risen from the dead was death, he was devastated. The idea that Jesus had risen from the dead was more than he would emotionally and mentally accept without proof. Yet the more than he would emotionally and mentally accept without proof. Yet the Lord compassionately revealed Himself and removed any doubt. Lord compassionately revealed Himself and removed any doubt.

What’s to learn? What’s to learn?  Thomas is remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” but the other Apostles  Thomas is remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” but the other Apostles also doubted the resurrection at first (see Mark 16:9-14). It was, however, also doubted the resurrection at first (see Mark 16:9-14). It was, however, through his doubt that Jesus taught an important lesson. He said, “Have through his doubt that Jesus taught an important lesson. He said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Doubt is rooted in unnecessary seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Doubt is rooted in unnecessary fear, whereas faith is based on what Christ has already revealed. God is fear, whereas faith is based on what Christ has already revealed. God is not only pleased with, but also blesses, those who live by faith! not only pleased with, but also blesses, those who live by faith!

Character Study: Thomas Character Study: Thomas From Doubt to Faith From Doubt to Faith Various Bible Passages Various Bible Passages

What’s happening? What’s happening?  The Apostle Thomas was referred to as the “______” (or “Didymus”  The Apostle Thomas was referred to as the “______” (or “Didymus” in Greek). We do not have much information on his background. It appears in Greek). We do not have much information on his background. It appears that he a had twin, though Scripture tells us nothing about that sibling. that he a had twin, though Scripture tells us nothing about that sibling.  Thomas could be viewed as a ______, though he was also a ______ Thomas could be viewed as a ______, though he was also a ______and ______follower of Christ. When Jesus prepared to go to and ______follower of Christ. When Jesus prepared to go to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead, the Apostles feared for His safety, Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead, the Apostles feared for His safety, knowing the Jews sought to kill Him. Yet, Thomas felt they should all go knowing the Jews sought to kill Him. Yet, Thomas felt they should all go and “_____ with ______” (John 11:8, 14-16). Later, when Jesus explained and “_____ with ______” (John 11:8, 14-16). Later, when Jesus explained that He was going to the Father and that they would join Him, Thomas that He was going to the Father and that they would join Him, Thomas answered out of concern, “How can we know the way?” (John 14:1-6) answered out of concern, “How can we know the way?” (John 14:1-6)  Thomas is mostly known for his ______to hearing about the resur-  Thomas is mostly known for his ______to hearing about the resur- rection of Jesus. He was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other rection of Jesus. He was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other Apostles, and thus responded with ______when hearing the news. How- Apostles, and thus responded with ______when hearing the news. How- ever, eight days later when Jesus appeared again, He asked Thomas to see ever, eight days later when Jesus appeared again, He asked Thomas to see His hands and touch His side. Seeing and believing, Thomas responded in His hands and touch His side. Seeing and believing, Thomas responded in faith and stated, “My ______and my ______.” (John 20:24-28) faith and stated, “My ______and my ______.” (John 20:24-28)  Many sources show that Thomas went on to take the gospel to Iran and  Many sources show that Thomas went on to take the gospel to Iran and India. There are even ______in India today that trace their roots India. There are even ______in India today that trace their roots back to the ministry of Thomas. It was in India where he also faced opposi- back to the ministry of Thomas. It was in India where he also faced opposi- tion, as he was killed by men with a spear and became a martyr for Christ. tion, as he was killed by men with a spear and became a martyr for Christ.

What’s God doing? What’s God doing?  Thomas had never wanted to be separated from the Lord, so after Jesus’  Thomas had never wanted to be separated from the Lord, so after Jesus’ death, he was devastated. The idea that Jesus had risen from the dead was death, he was devastated. The idea that Jesus had risen from the dead was more than he would emotionally and mentally accept without ______. Yet more than he would emotionally and mentally accept without ______. Yet the Lord compassionately ______Himself and removed any doubt. the Lord compassionately ______Himself and removed any doubt.

What’s to learn? What’s to learn?  Thomas is remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” but the other Apostles  Thomas is remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” but the other Apostles also doubted the resurrection at first (see Mark 16:9-14). It was, however, also doubted the resurrection at first (see Mark 16:9-14). It was, however, through his doubt that Jesus taught an important lesson. He said, “Have through his doubt that Jesus taught an important lesson. He said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Doubt is rooted in unnecessary seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Doubt is rooted in unnecessary ______, whereas faith is based on what Christ has already ______. ______, whereas faith is based on what Christ has already ______. God is not only pleased with, but also blesses, those who live by faith! God is not only pleased with, but also blesses, those who live by faith!