Supplies Needed:

Bibles (or printed copies of John 20:19–31)

Optional:

Printed prompt slips for “No-Show and Tell”
Small bowl, basket, or hat to draw prompt slips from
Scratch paper andncils

Note to the Teacher

Today’s story takes us to the time about a week after Christ’s crucifixion. The pain and grief were still raw and real for the followers of Jesus, as was their fear. For all these reasons, they found themselves hiding behind locked doors. “Doubting Thomas” is asking for a first-hand encounter with Jesus, who truly meets him where he is, with peace, not rejection. This lesson invites students to notice their own “locked doors” and to practice seeing and telling a story from different perspectives. Questions are not the opposite of faith. Instead, they can be a doorway into deeper faith.

Icebreaker: “No-Show and Tell” (10 min.)

Supplies (optional):
Printed prompt slips for “No-Show and Tell”
Small bowl, basket, hat to draw prompt slips from

“No-Show and Tell” is a fun twist on the classic game of charades. Just as in charades, you receive a prompt to act out. Unlike charades, in “No-Show and Tell,” you will work with a partner. All the prompts are things that take two people to demonstrate! On your turn, you and your partner will work together to silently give clues for the class to guess your prompt!

Suggested Prompts: a door that won't open, a very heavy box, a stubborn shopping cart, a wild puppy on a leash, a big blanket in a strong wind, a box full of balloons, a long rope in a tug-of-war, a canoe people are carrying together, a fragile glass table, a stack of wobbly dishes, a giant beach ball

Read Scripture (5 min.)

Supplies:

Bibles (or printed copies of John 20:19–31)

After the women discovered the empty tomb and the disciples saw Jesus, the story continues! Today, we will look at the story of Thomas. Sometimes called “Doubting Thomas” and sometimes Thomas (the Twin), he wasn't there when Jesus first came back to the disciples. But in today's story, he is not only there; he is the main character!

Read John 20:19-31.

Discussion (10 min.)

What are some “locked doors” we hide behind when we are afraid, embarrassed, or unsure?
Why do you think Thomas wanted physical proof, instead of trusting what the others told him?
What kinds of proof do you find yourself asking God for today?
When you have doubts, what kind of response do you hope for from God and why?
What are some of the questions or doubts you have or have had in the past about God, Jesus, faith, and more?

Activity: “Once Upon a Twin” (30 min.)

Supplies (optional):

Scratch paper and pens or pencils

Our activity today will be done in pairs. In some places in the Bible, Thomas was called a twin. Today, you and your partner will be twin storytellers. Every story in the Bible has a unique perspective, and today we will explore that. As a partner team, find somewhere in our space where you can hear each other and settle in for a story time.

The first partner will tell today’s story but leave Thomas out entirely! The second partner will then tell the same story from Thomas's point of view.

Once each partner has had the opportunity to tell the story, the partners will discuss how the two tellings of the same story might change its meaning and message.

If there is time, the partners may work to rewrite this story from someone else's point of view.

Closing. While we often talk about people doubting in a negative light, notice how powerful it was for Thomas to name his doubts and how this strengthens our faith today.

Closing prayer:

Loving and Reassuring God, we come to you today with our faith, with our questions, and with our doubts. We are so thankful that just as your son Jesus met Thomas where he stood so many years ago, you meet us where we are now. You meet us in our questions. You meet us in the answers. You meet us in the between spaces. Be with us as we leave this place and take our questions out in the world.

In your name, we pray,

Amen.