"Doubting Thomas" & Peace
John 20:19-31
This is the story of Thomas, one of Jesus' friends. After Jesus died, a group of their friends got together, but Thomas was not with them. The friends were meeting in a locked room, and suddenly Jesus appeared to them! Jesus told them, "Peace be with you." Later, the friends told Thomas all about how they had seen Jesus. But Thomas said that he could not - would not! - believe what they told him, unless he saw Jesus with his own eyes, and touched Jesus' wounds with his own hands.
Now Thomas has a nickname, Doubting Thomas.
What is doubt? Some things are true, even if we can't see them or understand why.
Here's a quick game:
Click here
for seven true/false animal questions.
Raise your hand if you think it's true; cross your arms if you doubt it.
How do you feel about doubting, and believing? What happens if we doubt?
What happens when we believe?
Make a poster or picture of The Best Things I Know.
Seeing is believing!
That's what Thomas would say.
Let's test all our senses: while you're not looking, have someone put an object in a bag. Close your eyes, put your hand in, and see if you can tell what it is by
feeling
it. Try again -
smell
it. If it's edible, keep your eyes shut and
taste
it! If you shake the bag, can you figure out what's inside just by
listening
? Finally, open your eyes - and
see
it! Were you surprised?
Jesus said, "Peace be with you."
Listen to some peaceful music. Have someone write down your favorite songs.
Name some peaceful places. Do you have photos?
Draw a peaceful picture.
What makes you feel peaceful in your heart, your body, your brain?
Start a notebook: My Peaceful Book -
for these lists and pictures and ideas. Add to it any time. Keep your book in a quiet place to enjoy whenever you want.
Make peace signs to place in a window for neighbors to see.
Take chalk with you, when you take a walk or play outdoors, and draw peace signs and the words "Peace be with you."
What are other ways to share the Peace of Jesus? Do them :-)
