DOUBTS
WELCOME TO WEEK 3
Welome to week 3! Do you ever have questions or doubts? Maybe you question what you will have for dinner, or if your friends will still be your friends. Or maybe you doubt if Jesus will do the things He said he would do. This week we will read about how Jesus helps us with our doubts.
BIBLE STORY
Sometimes we need to see something for ourselves to believe and sometimes we need to believe even when we can’t see it. Listen to the following statements and decide if you think it is true or false.
The sky is blue
There is wind on Earth
We breath oxygen
Grass grows
Living things need food
Gravity keeps grounded
Rainbows are made by reflecting light
Earth’s core (center) is hot
Some of the things listed you have experienced or seen for yourself so you know they are true. Some of the things listed you have not seen but need faith to believe that it is true. Today we will read a story about Thomas who didn’t believe right away that Jesus had risen.
Read or listen to John 20:19-20, 24-29
Where were the disciples? (locked in a room)
How did Jesus get to the disciples? (He stood and appeared among them)
What did Jesus give the disciples? (the Holy Spirit)
Which disciple was not there? (Thomas)
What Thomas say he needed to believe Jesus was alive? (See the nail marks, put his finger where the nails were and put his hand into his side)
When Jesus came to see the disciples a week later, what did he tell Thomas? ( put your finger here, see my hands, touch my side. Stop doubting and believe.
Jesus helped Thomas believe. Jesus knew exactly what Thomas needed to believe. He loves us so much and wants us to believe. Jesus will meet each of us in a special way so that we can believe in him.
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
At first glance it may seem as though Thomas was weak because he doubted what his friends told him. Another way to see this story is that Thomas knew this life changing information was too important to pretend that he believed even though he really didn’t. Sometimes we go along with what others say so that we don’t look as though we don’t have faith or trust Jesus. Thomas was honest about his doubts. Even greater, Jesus met Thomas at his point of doubt and gave him what he needed to believe. Jesus helped Thomas believe. We don’t have to fear our doubts but instead continue to search and ask Jesus to help us overcome our doubts and find his truth.
Activity
Play this game of trivia. Read each card and decide if you believe it or doubt it.
Materials:trivia game printed or read
Alternative:
Complete this crossword puzzle
Materials: Printed crossword puzzle
Create:
Create an obstacle course in your space. Use chairs, blankets, small table, pool noodles or things you have on hand. Blindfold the person going through the course. The other person then gives oral directions to get them through the course. Did you make it through the course without tripping or falling over anything? Was it easy or hard to listen and have faith in the person directing you through the course? Did you trust they were leading you the right way? What senses did you have to use to get through the course?
Materials: Objects to create an obstacle course
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
On a sheet of construction paper, lightly outline a circle in pencil. Have child dip their finger in paint and stamp several times within the circle. While paint is drying, cut out 2 rectangle pieces, an oval and long oval ears on black construction paper. Glue pieces of black paper onto the finger-paints to make a sheep. See here for an example.
Materials: white washable paint, construction paper, black construction paper, art supplies: glue, pencil, scissors
CRAFT 2
Coloring Page
Materials: Coloring sheet printout, Crayons or Markers
FOLLOW-UP
Let’s have a taste test. I am going to blindfold you and tell you what I will feed you. Tell me if you believe that’s what I’m going to give you or if you doubt it. Then I am going to put the food in your mouth (or hand them the food item). After you taste it, tell me if what I said was true. (Provide a range of foods, even foods they wouldn’t think you would feed them, but is safe). Did you have faith that I was going to feed you what I said? Was it easy to eat the food without seeing it first?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:7 it says we live by faith not by sight. What does that mean? Should we believe everything we hear and take it blindly. Thomas did not blindly follow after the disciples but instead allowed his doubt to lead him to questions and find answers. When Jesus presented the answer to his question, he chose to believe it! When he believed, he then shared his faith and belief with many others.
Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and the assurance of what we do not see.”
Jesus assured Thomas He was alive so that Thomas could believe. Jesus helps us believe even today through his Word the bible, trusted people who share their faith, and God’s own creation can speak about God’s character.
Make a list of the people you know that you can ask questions and talk to, who will direct you to the Bible for the answers.
Materials: food for taste testing (things they wouldn’t expect), paper, pencil
Practical Application at Home
What questions do you have for God today? What things do you doubt or are unsure of. Questions are not a sign of weak faith but of a faith that is searching for God. Wanting to know more and believe for yourself shows you want to have a relationship with God. God is big enough to handle your questions, just keep talking to Him!
On the journal sheet, write the date on your entry and write a letter, or prayer, to God. Tell Him what you believe right now, and ask questions you may have. This week, as you read your bible, sing songs, listen to praise music, talk with your parents, teachers and church leaders, see if God reveals his answers to you. Continue to seek God and praise Him for the answers you receive. You can easily turn this page into a journal by printing more pages or using a blank notebook and glueing this to the first page as a starter. Journaling prayers is a great way of communicating with Jesus. It’s also a great way to look back and see how God has answered your prayers.
Materials: printed journal sheet, pencil
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Go to a park and spend time in worship and prayer. Ask God to show you ways to trust him and listen to his voice.