In today's Bible lesson we learn that on Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday that Jesus rose from the dead. Soon after, Jesus appeared to the disciples.
We use the My Keepsake Bible for kids in our Sunday school. It is a fabulous color-in bible, you can see it HERE. You will find the story of doubting Thomas on page 344. It has a lovely page to color in!
One of the children in our Sunday school at church has already started coloring on this page! We sometimes add stickers to the pages or little pockets where the children add prayers or secret messages!
Don't worry if you don't have this bible. You could use any children's bible with this story or you can read it in your own Bible. You will find this story in the Gospel of John chapters 20 and 21. Another place to read the story is via biblegateway.com. There are numerous bible translations you can read it in there.
Here is a summary of the story:
Jesus appeared to the disciples but Thomas was not with them. Thomas was very, very sad that Jesus had died. He did not believe the disciples when they told him that Jesus had risen from the dead and that they had seen Him. Thomas told the disciples, " I won't believe it until I see the scars in His hands and I put my finger into the wound in His side."
A week later, the disciples were together again in a room, in Jerusalem. The door was locked, to keep the disciples safe inside. Thomas was with them too.
Suddenly, Jesus was right there with them in the room. He greeted them with the words " Peace be with you !". Then He turned to Thomas and said to him, " Thomas, put your finger into the holes in My hands and place your hand into the wound in My side. Stop doubting and believe that I am really alive."
Then Thomas believed! Jesus said to Him, " because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen Me but still believe!"
A lot of people won't believe that Jesus really rose from the grave., because they haven't seen Him with their own eyes. But it is true! He has risen from the grave!
Do you believe that Jesus rose from the grave?
Jesus said, " because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen Me, but still believe!" We can believe that Jesus is alive!
I know another bible verse in the New Testament that speaks about faith. Can you guess which one it is?
It is in the book of Hebrews - Hebrews 11:1, " Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see."
It is important to remember that at times, like Thomas, we all need to see things to believe that they are true. Sometimes we believe something because others tell us it's true or it is something we know to be true from experience. Just remember that when you take a step of faith and believe that Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus says this about you, " blessed are those who have not seen me, but still believe!"
I have prepared some activities for you and your children to do. You will find a Free, printable download in the Kid's Zone. It contains a page to color in, a word search, and a code breaker quiz that will give you a memory verse for your child to learn.
Here are some questions that you could ask your children, to see how well they remember the story!:
What did Thomas say when he was told that Jesus is alive?
Where were the disciples the week after Jesus' resurrection?
How did Jesus get into the room?
What did Jesus say to Thomas?
What did Jesus say about people who believe and have not seen that Jesus is alive?
You will find this page in the I believe - Doubting Thomas PDF in the Kid's Zone. Please come download it and show me a photo of your child's artwork! You could email it to me karen@scripturalgrace.com.
I had fun making this word search. If you have any tips on how to create a word search, contact me! This is a simple one. Some of the words are diagonal and others are very easy to find!
You will also find this in the Kid's Zone in the I believe - Doubting Thomas PDF download.
For all the children that enjoy breaking codes, I have created a code breaker. When you crack the code, it will reveal our memory verse! Find it in the Kid's Zone.
Science/Art Project:
Now I have a very special science/art project to show you! My friend Sarah has a wonderful blog called faithfunfamily.com. Sarah is a Primary school teacher - so you will find a wealth of ideas to use with your children. Come see her secret project HERE
I found this awesome video that your children might enjoy!
Prayer Time:
I enjoyed preparing this bible lesson for you and your children! Before we say goodbye, until next week - let's pray together. You can use this prayer or one of your own.
Dear God,
Thank you that You sent Jesus to die on the cross. Thank you that He rose again from the dead. Thank you that Jesus is alive again! Help me to always believe that Jesus is alive and that He loves me very much!
Amen.
I hope this lesson is a blessing to you and your family. Have you seen our other recent posts for children?
You can read this post HERE.
You can read this post HERE
See you next week!
xx Karen.