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Reasonable Doubt: a 4-Week Teaching Series for Youth Ministry TOPIC: Doubt SCRIPTURE: Gospels DECORATING THEME: Outer Space AGE GROUP: Students Have you ever heard someone say something that seemed unreasonable? Maybe they told a story or made a statement that was hard for you to believe. It's not always easy to ask questions or express doubt when other people seem so certain, and that's especially true when it comes to faith. If you ask hard questions about God or are honest about the things you're not sure about, what will people think? Will they judge you? Will they laugh at you? But in this four-week series from the Gospels, we'll see it really is possible to have questions and doubts while still having faith. Through Scripture, we'll discover that when we have doubts and questions, we don't need to ignore them or sweep them under the rug. Instead, we can look to Jesus, look to the Holy Spirit, look to God's words, and look for God in unexpected places. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES When you doubt God is real, look to Jesus. (Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life: John 14:1-14; Isaiah 41:9-10; Hebrews 4:15-16) When you doubt following Jesus is worth it, look to the Holy Spirit. (Jesus talks to a rich man about how to enter the kingdom of God: John 14:15-21; Mark 10:17-22; Galatians 5:22-23) When you still have questions, look to God's words. (Jesus shows his followers how all Scripture points to him before his ascension: Luke 24:44-53; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12) When you're ready to give up, look for God in unexpected places. (Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection: Genesis 2:7; John 20:19-22; Luke 4:16-21; Romans 5:3-4) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, we'll see how the prophet Isaiah and Jesus' own words pointed to Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises. Doubt can feel like drifting through outer space-confusing, hard to explain, and isolating.. But this week, we'll see how asking big questions doesn't make us less faithful-it can actually bring us closer to the truth. When we're unsure what to believe, we have an example to look to. When you doubt God is real, look to Jesus. This week, we'll explore the story of a rich man who chose not to follow Jesus and Jesus' promise to his disciples to send the Holy Spirit. When something feels hard or costly, it's easy to question if it's really worth it. This week, we'll see how even Jesus' disciples had doubts-and how Jesus responded with a promise of help. In our moments of hesitation, we're not alone. When you doubt following Jesus is worth it, look to the Holy Spirit. This week, we'll see an example of Jesus quoting Scripture and hear how Paul explains the importance and role of Scripture. Big questions don't have to be scary-especially when we know where to take them. This week, we'll see how Jesus guided his followers through their doubts by pointing them to God's words. Even when we don't have every answer, we're not left without direction. When you still have questions, look to God's words. This week, we'll explore the story of Jesus appearing suddenly to his disciples in a locked room after his resurrection. Hopeless moments can sneak up on us-when prayers feel unanswered, plans fall apart, or doubts get too loud. But this week, we'll see how Jesus often shows up right when and where we least expect it. When you're ready to give up, look for God in unexpected places. MEMORY VERSE: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

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