Virtual Bible Study Group

Dealing With Doubts

Doubt can lead to confusion, hopelessness, and dispair but it can also deepen your dependence on God.


Find understanding with God’s Truth with practical ways to use your doubts to build your faith..

DEALING WITH DOUBTS
The Church and the Deconstruction Movement

We have all heard the stories of former pastors or church worship leaders who have walked away or “deconstructed” their faith. Chip addresses the heart of this alarming trend through an insightful conversation with pastor and author John Dickerson. Together, they will delve into the complexities of faith, doubt, and the challenges that believers face today. The two will encourage anxious parents and offer practical guidance to come alongside today’s youth with uncompromising truth and radical love.

Watch the video below and then answer the questions

QUESTIONS:

  1. What are some things Christian parents often do to try to prevent their kids from leaving the faith?
  2. Which of those do you think are helpful? Which might not be as constructive?
  3. Do you know someone who has been experiencing deconstruction?
  4. Based on 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, [For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,] how would you define spiritual warfare?
  5. How does the battle of ideas fit into your understanding of spiritual warfare?
  6. What does Ephesians 6 add to your understanding of spiritual warfare?
  7. How can we engage in the battle for truth in the arena of ideas, using the armor of God?
  8. What weapons are particularly necessary when we are dealing with deconstruction?

DEALING WITH DOUBTS
Rethinking Apologetics for the 21st Century

Are you concerned about your kids and grandkids as the world becomes increasingly hostile to Christianity? Did you know a high percentage of youth who grow up in the Church are leaving the faith after high school? And do you increasingly wonder: What do we do? The current moral decline and theological compromise among Christians is no longer concerning – it’s alarming. We see division and false teaching, even in the Church itself. What can those who care do? In this program, Chip explains how we can stand for biblical truth and communicate, even regarding controversial issues, with love and integrity – just like Jesus did.
We are living in a day where what Christians need to be and become are first and foremost godly, loving, and kind.Rethinking our world:
  • Since Christians are viewed in a very negative light, the gospel is not viewed as credible
  • Church attendance is down
  • Bible engagement is down.
  • There is a moral decline
  • Giving is at an all-time low
  • Families are fractured
  • Teens are abandoning the faith after high school
Rethinking our communication:
  • Yesterday – Apologetics were about what we believe and why. And it was aimed at answering the skeptic’s questions. Today – We need to aim apologetics first and foremost toward believers, especially young people.
  • Yesterday – We needed to master facts, data, and history to intellectually prove what we believe is true. Today – We need to model a concerned and compassionate lifestyle that proves that what we believe is actually relevant.
  • Yesterday – We needed to win the debate. Today – We need to win an audience.
  • Yesterday – We communicated on a level playing field that presumed TRUTH was an objective reality. Today – We communicate on the shifting sands of TRUTH as a subjective reality.
  • Yesterday – The Church and the culture shared a general knowledge of the Bible. Today – Both the Church and the world are biblically illiterate.
  • Yesterday – Committed Christian men or women were admired. Today – Committed Christian men or women have been called “dangerous”.
  • Yesterday – We could begin with the truth and then express grace. Today – We must begin with grace in order to share the truth.
  • Yesterday – The moral climate and the values of major institutions like education, medicine, and the media reinforced our values. Today – The moral climate of major institutions challenges and ridicules our faith.
What this means for you: (1 Peter 1:1-4,6)

To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope… to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you… In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.

Watch the video below and then answer the questions

FILL IN THE BLANKS:

  1. The early Church had a living _________. (1 Peter 1:1-3)
  2. They believed they had an ______________. (1 Peter 1:4,6)
  3. We need to be ___________ in our thinking.
  4. We need to have a faith that is rooted in _____________ that leads to living a ___________ life, which leads to a __________ love for others.
  5. Get rid of all ____________, get rid of ___________, and stop _____________.
  6. Have lips of __________ and __________________.
  7. The number one apologetic is your ___________. It’s a holy life, with an eternal perspective, that’s radically loving.

DEALING WITH DOUBTS
Jesus, You and Experiental Evidence

If someone asked you: “How do you know Jesus actually lived?” or “Can we really trust the Bible?” what would you say? In this program, guest teacher John Dickerson will address these questions. He is going to unpack the evidence for Christianity and highlight notable Christians from history who changed our world.

Have you ever had an experience that changed your opinion or attitude on something? I mean, you thought you knew all the facts—until you went through a situation that completely changed your mind. In this program, guest teacher John Dickerson will do that by sharing two powerful testimonies that’ll touch your heart.

Watch the video below and then answer the questions

Jesus’ claims:

  1. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. – John 10:10b 
  2. But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. -John 4:14a 

How can we know that Jesus’ radical claims are true? 

  1. __________________________ evidence – historical writers (Josephus, Suetonius, Tacitus, etc.)
  2. __________________________ evidence – an objective human record of Christ’s impact on humanity.
  3. _________________________ evidence – this is evidence that can only be known through experience. 

The “current” available to everyone: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

  • This “current” is the only one that brings salvation to anyone who __________________________.
  • You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
  • Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
  • The fulfillment of Jesus is found in the space between _______________________ and __________________________. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What idea, illustration, application, or Scripture most spoke to you in this message?
  2. Where, if at all, did you initially struggle with Jesus when you were a skeptic?
  3. What evidence of Jesus’ existence is most compelling to you (ancient, external, internal)?
  4. Pastor John provides examples of people trying to find fulfillment in other means (power, property, or prestige) outside of Jesus. Where are you currently seeking fulfillment? Share a time or experience when you saw Jesus fulfill your needs in an unexpected way.
  5. Read Matthew 11:28-30. Where has your soul been restless and full of anxiety rather than at peace? How does Jesus help us handle our burdens differently than the world does?
  6. Read Jeremiah 29:12-14. What is one new action you can take this week, to help you draw closer to God with a full and purposeful heart?
  7. In the message, Pastor John said, “the fulfillment of Jesus is found in the space between religion and relationship.” What’s the difference between religion and relationship?
  8. Have you been committed to a religion or a relationship when it comes to God?  

Copyright 2025, Virtual Study Group

Terms of Use - Privacy Policy