Bible Study Notes 4/7/2026

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2026

Journey To Bethlehem and Beyond – Post Advent / Spring Series

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here, 2020

Lesson 16

 7 April  2026

John 20:19-29, NLT: As humans it is easy for us to doubt what we fail to readily see or perceive. Our doubts are more profound the farther we distance ourselves from the source of truth or a given reality. In the spiritual realm, our doubts more often are owed to a deficit in believing. Belief, which is at the core of faith, is what leverages our thinking and actions, such that we can better understand and accept the promises of God. Where Thomas retreated to on Resurrection evening – and the week which followed, isn’t as important as the state of his faith. Thomas, unconvinced of the Resurrection of Jesus, begged for empirical evidence. If Jesus really appeared, he would give anything to see Him and to touch the wounded imprints on the Lord’s body. With the second appearance of Jesus, Thomas’ demands were met. He was flushed with shame, guilt; and thankfully, reverence for Jesus, the Risen Lord. We, who believe in the Resurrection without demands as Thomas did, are blessed more than we could ever know!

Verses & Explanations for John 20:19-29, NLT

Observe         Interpret     Apply

(Verses 19-20): Fear Diminished by the Lord’s Presence:

¹⁹ “That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ He said. ²⁰ As He spoke, He showed them the wounds in His hands and His side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!

(Verses 21): The Lord’s Reassurance:

²¹  Again, He said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.’

(Verses 22): Jesus Restores Relationship:

²² Then He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.

(Verses 23): Jesus Grants Restorative Authority:

²³  If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’

(Verses 24-25): Convincing the Unconvinced:

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. ²⁵ They told him, ‘We  have seen the Lord.’ But he replied, ‘I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in His hands, put my finger into them, and place my hand into the wound in His side.’

(Verses 26-27): When Doubt Meets the Truth:

²⁶ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ He said.  ²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t  be faithless any longer. Believe!’

(Verse 28): Restored by the Truth:

²⁸ “My Lord and My God!” Thomas exclaimed.

(Verse 29): Faith is Resolute Belief in the Lord:

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.’”

Further Scripture Reading:

Romans 4:20-25. NLT:

²⁰ “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God. ²¹ He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises. ²² And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted Him as righteous. ²³ And when God counted Him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded ²⁴ for our benefit too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in Him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God.”

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!    

1.“Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!” – Psalm 119:105