Traveling the Road to Faith

Passage

Luke 24:13-35

Sermon Summary

Two disciples leave Jerusalem, walking a seven-mile journey home, passionately arguing over the events of the previous week, when they are joined by a stranger. As they walk together, the disciples share their deep despair and doubts over their dashed hopes for Jesus, completely missing the larger story unfolding before them as the stranger explains how Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of all scripture about the promised Messiah (i.e., King). As they sit to eat, the stranger breaks bread, and their eyes are opened to see it has been Jesus with them the entire time. When he suddenly disappears, they are struck with such immense joy they immediately return to Jerusalem to tell the others Jesus is alive. Our journey toward faith can take many paths, but doubt is often the first necessary step, questions needing to be asked that are then engaged by truth found in scripture, leading to our eyes being opened through experience. Doubt and faith are integrally intertwined by truth and experience, a path we must embrace, not flee.

Discussion Questions

1. [Optional starter question] What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. How can you relate to the two travelers’ doubts and despair?
3. What doubts about Jesus have you wrestled with as your hopes for this life have been dashed?
4. How are we often blinded by our grief to miss the truth presented right in front of us about Jesus?
5. In what ways have you been blind to the truth of scripture; what do you need to do to become more biblically literate?
6. What experiences have you had in your life through God’s word and his Church that God can use to help your faith grow?
7. What impact does a meal with close friends have on sharing joy-filled experiences, and why? How and why should such meals lead us to engage one another in our faith?

Resources Consulted:

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