Doubting Thomas Deserves an Apology
Sunday, September 7, 2025
Scriptures: John 11, 14, 20
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Summary: In this first sermon of our new series, Grounded, Jeremy explores the story of Thomas through four key lenses: names, twins, doubts, and proofs. He begins by challenging the unfair legacy of “Doubting Thomas,” suggesting that Thomas’s nickname misses the depth of his character and commitment. Jeremy unpacks the meaning of “twin,” highlighting early church interpretations that see Thomas as a stand-in for every believer navigating both faith and doubt. Jeremy then reframes doubt not as a failure, but as an essential part of trusting something beyond ourselves—especially when Jesus no longer feels physically present. He concludes by emphasizes that faith is about risking ourselves on what we hope for, and that a living faith will always seek tangible expressions of resurrection in our lives.
Names: Jeremy argues that “Doubting Thomas” is a mischaracterization of the disciple. Jesus trusted Thomas enough to include him among the twelve. Jeremy emphasizes that names have power, and Thomas’s legacy deserves a more generous reading. A closer look at Thomas’ story might reveal to us something about our faith story.
Twins: Jeremy explores the repeated reference to Thomas as “the twin” and notes that the gospels never identify his sibling. Drawing from early church voices, Jeremy suggests Thomas may represent all of us—those who wrestle with faith and doubt side by side. The idea that faith and doubt are “twins” reframes belief not as certainty, but as trust in something that wholly includes us in the journey. Doubt is part of a faithful life, not its opposite.
Doubts: Jeremy examines Thomas’s question in John 14 as more about self-doubt than skepticism toward Jesus. Thomas is willing to follow Jesus to death, but struggles with what it means to continue without Jesus beside him. Jeremy suggests that many of us share this fear when we’re not sure we can carry on without tangible reassurance. Jeremy challenges us to think of doubt as arising not necessarily from disbelief, but from uncertainty about our own capacity to live our faith as an imitation of Jesus. In other words, to live out the way of Jesus.
Proofs: Jeremy closes by looking at Thomas’s desire to see and touch the risen Jesus, not as weakness, but as a longing to anchor faith in something real. Jesus doesn’t shame Thomas; he meets him in his doubt, affirming that honest questions are welcome. Jeremy argues that faith is not about suppressing doubt, but about trusting God enough to keep asking for resurrection to show up in real ways. Jeremy encourages us to pursue a faith that is lived, growing in truth, and continually seeking transformation.
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Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.
Connect: If you feel like sharing, what’s one nickname that either someone had else or you yourself had, that you felt really fit—or really didn’t fit—the person?
Share: Share about how you’ve understood doubt in relationship to faith. Thomas’ has a reputation of doubtfulness, in one sense, by being a stand-in for the reader because of his desire to touch the wounds of Jesus. But, Thomas also exemplifies a deep trust in the way of Jesus throughout Jesus’ ministry. His faith is complicated, as is, likely your own.
Q: Is doubt a “twin of faith”—two sides of the same coin—or are they opposing things?
Reflect: Reflect on the idea that Thomas may not have doubted Jesus, but his own ability to follow without Jesus beside him. Thomas’ is actually rather trusting of Jesus, wishing to follow him in John chapter 11, even at the expense of his own life. And yet, perhaps also Thomas is afraid of when Jesus tells him that he can walk the way of Jesus, even when Jesus is gone.
Q: What part of Thomas’ desire to follow Jesus, yet doubt his ability to follow Jesus when Jesus is not by his side, resonates with your story?
Engage: Engage with the following quote from Jeremy,
“Is Thomas is doubting the way of Jesus?
Or is Thomas doubting his ability to follow that way without Jesus there by his side in the way that he’s always known?
I’ll be honest here,
I think that’s where the doubt begins to creep in for Thomas.
He’s bought into Jesus; he’s not yet convinced why Jesus has bought into him.And look, I’m not talking about earning your salvation here.
I'm not talking about just “believing in yourself” and that will make everything easy.
I’m not talking about doing anything without the grace of God surrounding and sustaining us.
What I'm talking about is the fact that faith is not just about giving mental assent to ideas about Jesus.
It is learning to trust in a relationship that changes something about us.”
Q: Does anything in this quote change how you imagine God might think about your faith or your doubts?
Q: Does it change how you think about the role doubt might play in your faith?Take away: What is your takeaway from the message or today’s conversation?
Prayer from the sermon:
Gracious God,
at the start of this new season we remember your grace and your faithfulness extended toward us.
For more than a decade now you have carried us.
Even as you continue to invite us forward into new adventures of trust,
we confess that sometimes we are bold and fearless, and other times we are hesitant, uncertain—full of questions like saint Thomas.
But we trust that you meet us in both our courage and our doubt.
And, that this is where the journey of our faith is grounded.
Open our eyes once again today to see your spirit moving among us.
Strengthen our hearts to follow the way that is Jesus.
Give us the grace to risk ourselves in love for you and for our neighbours this week.
In the strong name of the risen christ we pray,
Amen. -
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 138
MUSIC Curated by Kevin Borst
CAIN - I'm So Blessed
Leeland - Way Maker
City Alight - Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
Maverick City Music - Jireh
How Great Thou Art
EUCHARIST INVITATION
Introduction by Bobbi SalkeldThe Eucharist meal is one of gratitude, where the risen Christ is at the centre of community, and where we are invited to live Eucharist lessons in our everyday lives.
We celebrate how Jesus invites us to the feast of belonging.
We celebrate how Jesus sits beside us, never scared of what’s in our hearts.
We celebrate how Jesus sends us out from the meal to share peace, work for justice, and grow in love.
And so God gathers us into this ritual.
Those full of faith and those doubting.
Those whose hearts know love and those who feel alone.
Those full of strength and those tired and aching.
Hear the story of Jesus’ meal with friends.
On the night Jesus was betrayed,
He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and said,
This is my body – a body given for your healing and wholeness.
Eat to remember.
In the same way,
Jesus took the cup, blessed it, poured it out, and said,
This cup is filled with my life – and it is poured out for many.
Drink to reconcile.
As Jesus said a prayer before sharing, let us do that too.
Creator God, present at this meal,
the bread that we break and the cup that we share
are places where our Saviour meets us.
Broken, we are being made whole.
Poured out, we are filled with joy once again.
Holy Spirit, bless these elements of community.
Amen.
May you journey together knowing Christ is the centre of this meal.
SERIES BUMPER
Grounded
