Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Life.Church with Craig Groeschel
Episode: God Can Handle Your Doubts | The Benefit of Doubt | Part 2
Date: February 23, 2025
Host: Craig Groeschel

Overview

This episode centers on the crucial theme of spiritual doubt and deconstruction within the Christian faith. Pastor Craig Groeschel explores how doubt is not only a common human experience but can also be a meaningful pathway to a deeper, more authentic faith. Drawing on personal stories, biblical examples, and his pastoral insights, Groeschel encourages listeners not to fear or hide their doubts but to bring them honestly before God and the church. The episode offers practical perspectives on healthy deconstruction—letting go of untrue beliefs to build on what is true—and challenges the church to respond to doubters with Jesus-like grace and compassion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current Spiritual Climate (00:00–04:30)

• Observation: Groeschel notes an "organic spiritual hunger" in people today, citing over 2,200 baptisms in a single weekend as evidence of widespread searching and conversion.
• Tension: Simultaneously, some Christians are deconstructing and “deconverting,” especially those who grew up in strong faith environments but later face doubts.

Quote: “I think that I'm seeing perhaps more of an organic spiritual hunger...people asking questions and seeking the things of Jesus today, maybe unlike any time in my history of leading this church.” (00:15, Craig Groeschel)

2. Doubt in the Church & Family (04:31–11:05)

• Personal Stories: Shares about homeschooling and a close-knit community where some children who grew up devout later walked away due to doubt.
• Response: Rather than shaming, Groeschel calls for personal responsibility—how families and churches might respond more compassionately to doubters.
• Invitation: Assures listeners that "God can handle your doubts," opening in prayer for questioning hearts.

Quote: “If you right now maybe have a spiritual hurt or a doubt, you're wrestling with some questions, I believe God wants to speak to you.” (08:00, Craig Groeschel)

3. Peter Walks on Water — Doubt as a Storyline (11:06–19:15)

• Bible Passage: Matthew 14—Peter walks on water, doubts, and begins to sink; Jesus rescues him and asks, “Why did you doubt?”
• Insight: Jesus meets Peter in his doubt instead of condemning him. Similar patterns are found in other encounters (Thomas, the disciples, John the Baptist, Martha, and the father of the demon-possessed boy).

Quote: “Jesus didn't reject him for his doubt, but he rescued Peter from his doubt.” (13:35, Craig Groeschel)

4. Churches and the Shame of Doubt (19:16–24:29)

• Observation: People often feel afraid or ashamed to admit doubt in church communities.
• Core Question: If Jesus had grace for doubts, why doesn’t the church?
• Teaching: Doubt does not disqualify faith; rather, it can be a pathway to a deeper faith.

Quote: “Doubt isn't the enemy of faith, but doubt is often a pathway to a deeper, more meaningful faith.” (23:40, Craig Groeschel)

5. Real-Life Causes of Doubt (24:30–31:00)

• Sources listed:
  • Unanswered spiritual questions or perceived contradictions in Scripture
  • Exposure to other worldviews or critical scholarship (e.g., college, professors)
  • Painful personal experiences or unanswered prayers
  • Disillusionment caused by the failings of trusted Christian leaders
• Groeschel’s Own Doubts: Shares a formative season in seminary when his New Testament professor challenged biblical authority, sparking deep personal doubt.

Quote: “For years when I read that...I saw it as kind of an accusation, like Jesus is saying, like, why'd you doubt, dummy?...But what if this question isn't an accusation, but an invitation?” (32:50, Craig Groeschel)

6. Deconstruction: Destructive vs. Healthy (31:01–42:45)

• Concern: Deconstruction done poorly can be damaging—people filter everything through pain and grow bitter, not better.
• Encouragement: Deconstruction done in healthy, loving community is “a sincere examination of your beliefs, letting go of what’s untrue to build on what is true.”
• Example: Jesus himself “deconstructs” the law (“You have heard it said, but I tell you...”) and corrects Peter’s misconceptions about the Messiah.
• Analogy: Like removing mold from a house, you don’t destroy the whole structure, just the toxic parts—so too with faith.

Quote: “Healthy deconstruction is a sincere examination of your beliefs, letting go of what's untrue to build on what is true.” (37:10, Craig Groeschel)

7. Building (or Rebuilding) Faith on Truth (42:46–52:29)

• Addressing Biases: All interpret the Bible through filters—family, culture, upbringing, etc.—so not everything believed about God is necessarily true.
• Approach: Rather than abandoning faith, separate hurtful/incorrect aspects from the truth. Forgive those who hurt; cling to what is good.
• Scriptural Focus: To reconstruct faith, start with Jesus in the Gospels; interpret all of Scripture through the lens of Jesus’ love.

Quote: “The best thing you can do when you're going to the Bible...is just start in the Gospels and read Jesus.” (48:30, Craig Groeschel)

8. Peter’s Restoration & the Power of Grace (52:30–58:20)

• Story: After doubting and denying Jesus, Peter is lovingly restored and becomes a foundational leader of the church.
• Grace for Doubt: Jesus forgives, restores, and uses doubters; doubt isn't a disqualification but a step toward deeper trust.

Quote: “Who did God use? Peter, after his doubt and denial...the guy whose faith was built after his doubt and denial of Jesus.” (55:16, Craig Groeschel)

9. Response & Call to Recommit (58:21–end)

• Audience Invitation: Listeners are asked if they (or someone they know) are experiencing doubt or hurt.
• Pastoral Prayer: Groeschel prays for courage to process doubts, for loving community, for wisdom to deconstruct in healthy ways, and for grace toward others struggling in faith.
• Gospel Clarity: Reaffirms the core of Christianity: Jesus, grace, and invitation to relationship regardless of doubts.

Quote: “God is a good and loving God. He can handle your doubts and love you through them, and you can be closer to him on the other side.” (59:50, Craig Groeschel)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Church Response to Doubt:
  “Sometimes you doubt a little bit around Christians and they get all weird on you. Don't let weird Christians run you out the door.” (35:00)
• On Everyone’s Perspective:
  “Everyone reads the Bible with a bias. You do... Everything you believe about God may not be true. Let that sink in for just a minute.” (44:10)
• On Deconstruction:
  “Deconstruction, done well, can actually be a form of discipleship. Done well, it can lead someone closer to Jesus.” (38:00)
• On Personal Suffering & Faith:
  “So sometimes the reason we get upset and get mad is not because God isn't good. It's because what we believe about God isn't true about God.” (46:15)
• On Restoration after Doubt:
  “How did he know what it was like to go astray? Because he went astray. How did he know what it was like to return to the shepherd? He had gone astray and returned.” (57:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–04:30 — The current climate of spiritual hunger & doubt
• 04:31–11:05 — Personal stories and setting up the discussion on doubt
• 11:06–19:15 — Peter’s doubt on the water (Matthew 14) and Jesus’ response
• 19:16–24:29 — The shame of doubt in church, doubt as a human and not a faith failure
• 24:30–31:00 — Reasons Christians doubt (personal, intellectual, emotional)
• 31:01–42:45 — Deconstruction: harm and healing in re-examining faith
• 42:46–52:29 — How bias shapes faith; reconstructing on the truth
• 52:30–58:20 — The story of Peter’s restoration and what it means
• 58:21–end — Invitation, prayer, and affirmation of grace

Conclusion

God can handle your doubts. This episode both normalizes and dignifies spiritual questioning, encouraging listeners to process doubts in truth and community—reminding us that doubt need not push us from faith, but can deepen our relationship with Jesus. Pastor Groeschel urges both doubters and their loved ones to foster spaces of grace, honesty, and hope. The clear message: come as you are, with your questions—Jesus meets you right there.

For deepening your understanding, Groeschel recommends reading the Gospels and reconstructing your beliefs through the character and love of Jesus, and not merely your tradition or biases.