Easter 2

7 April 2024

Bible readings for today

Collect

Alleluia!
God of calm, you bring peace in the midst of distress; still our troubled hearts
when we struggle to believe, give us the courage to doubt, give us peace in believing. Through Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you now and forever,
and in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Seeing is believing (John 20:19-31)

This story looks at Jesus appearing to his disciples, and how Thomas doubted that he was really the resurrected Jesus.

Doubting Thomas

Look up! Even though he was one of Jesus’ closest friends, Thomas had big doubts and questions about whether Jesus was really alive again. God is not disappointed by our questions or doubts! Write down any questions you have about God, and find someone to talk to about them.
Look in! Even though Thomas didn’t believe the other disciples were telling the truth, they still remained his friend. We can disagree with people, and still love them. Pray for someone you have disagreed with recently.
Look out! Thomas’ friends showed they could be trusted, by telling him the truth about Jesus. Being a trustworthy and honest friend can show others what God is like. How can you be a trustworthy friend this week?

Gospel Conversations

Jesus appears to his confused, scared, doubting disciples - 2000 years ago and still today! Joel Stutter joins Michael Godfrey and the Dunedin Diocese 'Gospel Conversations' team for the first time, with James Harding and Trish Franklin, as we move deeper into the joyful season of Easter.

In an earlier Gospel Conversations, Michael talks with Katie Marcar (Otago University Programme and All Saints’, North Dunedin), Tony Martin (St Paul’s Cathedral and Emergency Management Otago) and Richard Johnson (Dean for Rural Ministry and Interim Priest, Winton) on this passage from John 20: 19-31.

Reflection questions

In small groups discuss

Which was your favorite part of the story?
Why did you like that part?
In the story the disciples felt afraid, very happy, disbelieving and faith fulled. Which of these feelings do you related to most at present?
Why do you think that is?
What do you think God might be saying to us today through this story?
Pray for one another.

Interviewing Thomas

Write a script for a 'Resurrection Interview', where a journalist can interview Thomas. Thomas can describe the impact the resurrection had on the disciples and then on himself. You can do this sketch live, or prerecord it using a camera or phone. It is a great way to get young people involved in your all age services.

Questions can include:

Thomas, we hear you weren't in the room with the disciples, when Jesus visited... where were you?
What did you think when you heard their stories?
Why didn't you believe them?
What happened next?
What did you think when Jesus appeared again?
What did you say to Jesus?
What do you think of the other disciples calling you 'Doubting Thomas'? Do you think it will stick?

You can adapt and change this interview to suit your congregation and needs. Let us know how you get on.

For a script of something similar, see the All-Age Lectionary Services: Year C from Scripture Union

Peace be with you!

You can read today’s story in John 20:19–23, and the Jesus Storybook Bible p. 318-321

Look up! ‘Peace be with you!’ Jesus says this to his friends twice, so it must have been really important! God’s peace can calm, reassure and comfort us when we are fearful. If you are worried about something, ask God for His peace.
Look in! Do you hold grudges? Jesus talked about forgiveness, and how the Holy Spirit can help us forgive others. If you need help to forgive someone for hurting you, ask God to show you how.
Look out! When we worry about something, we can feel like the disciples – stuck (in a locked room!) and scared. God’s peace changed the minds of the disciples, and they were ‘overjoyed.’ Pray for a friend who is worried and ask God to send them His peace.

From 'Journey to Pentecost' by Strandz

Reflection

A daily devotion reflection on 'Doubting Thomas' from Scripture Union USA

Preschool brainstorm

Young children can have difficulty distinguishing between fact and fantasy, so do not worry too much about explaining things that are not real to them in today's session.

Brainstorm a list of things that we know are real, including things we can touch, taste or see, e.g.

I know flowers are real
I know my food is real
I know my pet is real
I know the sun is real
I know the wind is real
I know my family is real
I know that Jesus is real

Visio Lectio

A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Sarah West. All Rights reserved, shared with permission.
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Activities

Hole in Hand Illusion (Instructables)
Game Idea (Creative Youth Ideas)
Recognising Jesus Game (Flame Creative Kids)
Hands Craft (Godly Play Blog)
Hand Prints
Bookmark Idea (God's Grace)
Printable Thomas Craft (Jesus Without Language)

Telescope Craft

One of the key messages in today's passage is in John 20:29b - Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed

We may never see Jesus face to face on earth, like his disciples, but we are reassured that we will be blessed by believing in what we have not seen.

What you need

Print out of this template (shown below)
Cardboard tubes if printing template out on on A4 paper. You can print on thicker card if available.
Pens, felts
Glue
Decorations, googly eyes

What to do

Print out the template for the telescope
Today we're going to make a telescope to remind us that we don't need to see Jesus face-to-face to believe that he is real.
Give one sheet to each child and talk through the memory verse on the paper. Talk about how Jesus says we are blessed by believing in him, even though we have not seen him face-to-face.
Decorate sheet with felts, pens, glitter, googly eyes. Be creative and add your own decorating ideas!
Glue one edge of the paper and roll into a cylinder.
Get the children to look through their telescope and tell you what they can see.

Doubting Thomas game

A game with paddles and true/false questions, from the Easy Breezy Sunday School website. See the website for instructions on how to make the paddles. Each child gets an "I Doubt It" sign, which they use to respond to a list of unusual facts about the bible/life etc. If they doubt the fact, they show the 'I doubt it' side, but if they believe the statement, they do nothing. Give the correct answer and award a point
Possible statements could include:

The disciples were hiding in the room because they were afraid of dinosaurs (false)
Jesus appeared and all the disciples were in the room (false)
Thomas wasn't there when Jesus appeared, but he believed everything that his friends said (false)
Thomas wanted to see Jesus for himself before he believed his friends (true)
Jesus showed Thomas his ears and fingers (false)
Jesus showed Thomas his hands and his side (true)
When Thomas saw Jesus' wounds, he replied, “You are my Lord and my God!” (true)
Even if we haven't seen Jesus, we can still believe in him (true)

2nd Sunday in Easter