Week 50 · about 45 minutes
Thomas and the Scars
John 20:24–29 · Memory verse John 20:29
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Queues the lesson plan, a coloring page from this part of the Bible (The Stone Rolled Away), the matching word search and answer key (He Is Risen), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a bandage drawn on paper hands
Hold up a bandage drawn on paper hands. In about five minutes, tell the class this: Thomas doubts the news, and Jesus meets him with patience and proof. Show the prop and ask, “What does this have to do with Thomas and the Scars?” Let two children answer. Then read John 20:29 together: “Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”” Close by asking one child to say the lesson back in their own words, using the prop.
Story script
When Jesus appeared to the disciples, Thomas was not with them. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas said he would not believe unless he saw the nail marks and touched Jesus’ side. People sometimes call him Doubting Thomas, as if questions were a failure. He was a friend who did not want a rumor. He wanted the real Jesus.
A week later the disciples were together again, doors locked, and Thomas was there. Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you.” Then he turned to Thomas. “Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That blessing reaches across years to kids who trust the witnesses and the Scriptures.
Questions can be brought to Jesus. He is gentle with honest doubt and clear about who he is. You have not put your hand on his scars, and you are still invited to say, “My Lord and my God.”
Group game
Thomas shakes his head until he sees Jesus' hands. Then he kneels and says, My Lord and my God. Talk about honest questions.
Craft
Draw Jesus showing his hands to Thomas. Write My Lord and my God.
Memory verse
John 20:29
“Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.””
Take-home prayer
Jesus, my Lord and my God, thank you for being patient with questions. Help me believe you even when I cannot see you with my eyes. Amen.