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Easter Day (John 20:1-18 and Luke 24:1-12)

The aim of today is to understand that Jesus rose from the dead and brings us hope of new life in him, and that something happy and wonderful can come out of something very sad.

Input for Leaders

Picture
A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Sarah West. All Rights reserved, shared with permission. ​
Download
Terms of Use
Seven Minute Sermon Podcast
Centuries of speculation have given Mary Magdalene a bad reputation. But her life actually provides a great example to follow. This 7 minute sermon podcast from Rev. George Penk is based on Luke 8.1-2 and John 20.14-17
Gospel Conversations 2025: ​Christ is Risen! We realise some of you will be watching this in order to prepare for a Sunday sermon, but if not, this is one of those weeks where we do recommend you wait until Sunday to watch it. We don't want to anticipate Easter Sunday before we go through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday: they involve their own work and meditation. But once you get to Sunday, be ready to celebrate!
Gospel Conversations 2024: (Mark 16:1-9) This is a real celebration of the resurrection, what an amazing, glorious story we are given! 

​Gospel Conversations 2023: (John 20:1-18) Rejoicing in the deep mystery, love and hope of Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Jesus in the garden. You won't want to miss this one!

Easy Easter Packs

Here are a few things that might be useful if you are making up Easter Packs to hand out to kids.

Intergenerational Worship

Intergenerational Services from Scripture Union
A collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Rev Katherine Ruhl Intergen Australia. Bible references: Luke
Or this Combined Easter collection of resources and ideas, includes Palm Sunday (as above) but also resources for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. ​

Kids Talks

Questions to think about

  • What is your favourite part of Easter?
  • What do we say to each other at church on Easter?
  • I wonder what Mary was thinking when she saw the empty tomb?  
  • I wonder why Mary didn't recognise Jesus when she first saw him?"
  • I wonder what you would have been thinking if you'd gone to Jesus' tomb and found it empty?"
  • What do you think the disciples thought when they heard about
    Jesus?
  • How do you think Jesus' mother felt when she found out her son
    was alive again?
  • How can we spread the joy of Easter?

Celebrate with balloons! 

Love this idea from Carmen Kamrath from Childrens Ministry.com
Could be used in so many ways :) 

You’ll need: Helium balloons with ribbons attached (one for every child) and
a large brown blanket or tarp
Before kids arrive, place helium-filled balloons under a large “tomb” formed by a brown blanket or tarp.
Gather children around the tomb and talk about how after Jesus died on the cross he was buried in a cave and the guards covered it with a large rock. Remind them that on Easter morning, his friends discovered that Jesus defeated death and is alive! Then release the blanket so the balloons float to the ceiling. Remind children that just as the balloons rose from the “tomb,” Jesus rose from the grave so we could live with him forever.

As kids leave, give them a balloon to take home to remind them of the Easter message.

Pray it!

5 Creative Prayer Stations telling the story of Holy Week. Includes questions to think about and a script for taking a group of children around the stations. (Flame Creative).  

Easter Egg Prayers (FlameCreative) - simple multisensory prayers using a hollow chocolate easter egg. 

Games

Nothing like a few games for Easter fun! Try these:
SAFETY NOTE: If using eggs check for allergies. You can sub raw or hard-boiled eggs out for chocolate easter eggs, plastic easter eggs with lollies in, or ping pong balls.

Activities

Flowering the Cross
Flowering the Cross is an old Easter tradition! It involves decorating a bare cross with flowers as a symbol of the resurrection. The activity can be shaped to fit the specific message of your service. You will need: wooden cross wrapped in netting or wire, baskets of flowers and greenery.
St John's Johnsonville did this activity as part of an intergenerational service. They displayed John 3:16 in full, and instructions that said "What has been broken in your heart or in your world this year? Choose something to decorate the cross with. Ask God to transform the brokenness with his love and grace. Thread your flower onto the cross."
Easter Outdoor Trail (Scottish Bible Society) - Various options and could easily be adapted to be a fabulous intergenerational activity.
Our Sins are Wiped Away (Children's Ministry) - object lesson about Jesus forgiving our sins.
​Pebble Easter Eggs
A simple and beautiful craft, great for all ages to make, and you could use them in a treasure hunt activity too. (Sunhats & Wellieboots)
Other creative Easter activities

Preschool Fun

Here are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spending time with God. 

​Share the Story: How about using a small world play tray to tell the story? Doubles as a great open-ended exploratory activity after the story. 

Share the Story: A simple version of resurrection eggs for little ones. (Happy Home Fairy)

Hide and Seek: Check out the ideas in this lesson plan for 3-5's (Faith in Kids)

Playdough: Try these Easter playdough mats from FlameCreative.

Happy face, sad face: Make double sided masks out of paper plates, or blow up balloons and draw different emotion faces on them. Things to chat about: What makes you happy and sad? How did Jesus friends feel?

Surprises: Play with a jack-in-the-box or a game like Buckaroo ​where there is an element of surprise. Talk about: What is it like to be surprised? What surprises have you had? Are they good? bad?

Alive again! Play the 'sleeping giant' game with the kids. Talk about Jesus being dead and then alive again.
More Easter Resources can be found on our Strandz Website.

Media

Songs

Easter Day (John 20:1-18 and Luke 24:1-12)

The aim of today is to understand that Jesus rose from the dead and brings us hope of new life in him, and that something happy and wonderful can come out of something very sad.

Input for Leaders

Picture
A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Sarah West. All Rights reserved, shared with permission. ​
Download
Terms of Use
Seven Minute Sermon Podcast
Centuries of speculation have given Mary Magdalene a bad reputation. But her life actually provides a great example to follow. This 7 minute sermon podcast from Rev. George Penk is based on Luke 8.1-2 and John 20.14-17
Gospel Conversations 2025: ​Christ is Risen! We realise some of you will be watching this in order to prepare for a Sunday sermon, but if not, this is one of those weeks where we do recommend you wait until Sunday to watch it. We don't want to anticipate Easter Sunday before we go through Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday: they involve their own work and meditation. But once you get to Sunday, be ready to celebrate!
Gospel Conversations 2024: (Mark 16:1-9) This is a real celebration of the resurrection, what an amazing, glorious story we are given! 

​Gospel Conversations 2023: (John 20:1-18) Rejoicing in the deep mystery, love and hope of Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Jesus in the garden. You won't want to miss this one!

Easy Easter Packs

Here are a few things that might be useful if you are making up Easter Packs to hand out to kids.

Intergenerational Worship

Intergenerational Services from Scripture Union
A collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Rev Katherine Ruhl Intergen Australia. Bible references: Luke
Or this Combined Easter collection of resources and ideas, includes Palm Sunday (as above) but also resources for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. ​

Kids Talks

Questions to think about

  • What is your favourite part of Easter?
  • What do we say to each other at church on Easter?
  • I wonder what Mary was thinking when she saw the empty tomb?  
  • I wonder why Mary didn't recognise Jesus when she first saw him?"
  • I wonder what you would have been thinking if you'd gone to Jesus' tomb and found it empty?"
  • What do you think the disciples thought when they heard about
    Jesus?
  • How do you think Jesus' mother felt when she found out her son
    was alive again?
  • How can we spread the joy of Easter?

Celebrate with balloons! 

Love this idea from Carmen Kamrath from Childrens Ministry.com
Could be used in so many ways :) 

You’ll need: Helium balloons with ribbons attached (one for every child) and
a large brown blanket or tarp
Before kids arrive, place helium-filled balloons under a large “tomb” formed by a brown blanket or tarp.
Gather children around the tomb and talk about how after Jesus died on the cross he was buried in a cave and the guards covered it with a large rock. Remind them that on Easter morning, his friends discovered that Jesus defeated death and is alive! Then release the blanket so the balloons float to the ceiling. Remind children that just as the balloons rose from the “tomb,” Jesus rose from the grave so we could live with him forever.

As kids leave, give them a balloon to take home to remind them of the Easter message.

Pray it!

5 Creative Prayer Stations telling the story of Holy Week. Includes questions to think about and a script for taking a group of children around the stations. (Flame Creative).  

Easter Egg Prayers (FlameCreative) - simple multisensory prayers using a hollow chocolate easter egg. 

Games

Nothing like a few games for Easter fun! Try these:
SAFETY NOTE: If using eggs check for allergies. You can sub raw or hard-boiled eggs out for chocolate easter eggs, plastic easter eggs with lollies in, or ping pong balls.

Activities

Flowering the Cross
Flowering the Cross is an old Easter tradition! It involves decorating a bare cross with flowers as a symbol of the resurrection. The activity can be shaped to fit the specific message of your service. You will need: wooden cross wrapped in netting or wire, baskets of flowers and greenery.
St John's Johnsonville did this activity as part of an intergenerational service. They displayed John 3:16 in full, and instructions that said "What has been broken in your heart or in your world this year? Choose something to decorate the cross with. Ask God to transform the brokenness with his love and grace. Thread your flower onto the cross."
Easter Outdoor Trail (Scottish Bible Society) - Various options and could easily be adapted to be a fabulous intergenerational activity.
Our Sins are Wiped Away (Children's Ministry) - object lesson about Jesus forgiving our sins.
​Pebble Easter Eggs
A simple and beautiful craft, great for all ages to make, and you could use them in a treasure hunt activity too. (Sunhats & Wellieboots)
Other creative Easter activities

Preschool Fun

Here are some ways you can invite your preschoolers to play their way into the bible story and spending time with God. 

​Share the Story: How about using a small world play tray to tell the story? Doubles as a great open-ended exploratory activity after the story. 

Share the Story: A simple version of resurrection eggs for little ones. (Happy Home Fairy)

Hide and Seek: Check out the ideas in this lesson plan for 3-5's (Faith in Kids)

Playdough: Try these Easter playdough mats from FlameCreative.

Happy face, sad face: Make double sided masks out of paper plates, or blow up balloons and draw different emotion faces on them. Things to chat about: What makes you happy and sad? How did Jesus friends feel?

Surprises: Play with a jack-in-the-box or a game like Buckaroo ​where there is an element of surprise. Talk about: What is it like to be surprised? What surprises have you had? Are they good? bad?

Alive again! Play the 'sleeping giant' game with the kids. Talk about Jesus being dead and then alive again.
More Easter Resources can be found on our Strandz Website.

Media

Songs
BIBLE EXPLORE / NEW TESTAMENT / JOHN / JOHN 20

Book of John: Chapter 20

Easter Day (John 20:1-19)

The aim of today is to understand that Jesus rose from the dead and brings us hope of new life in him, and that something happy and wonderful can come out of something very sad.

Intergenerational Services

Intergenerational Services from Scripture Union

Printable Easter Holiday resources

The Children's Mission (children's ministry in the Salvation Army NZ) have some great printable resources, including an Easter booklet - perfect for printing out for visiting families, or including in Eater isolation packs. 

Wrapping the Cross

Wrapping the Cross is a powerful visual way to tell the Easter story, as the cross is wrapped up in clothes on Good Friday, and revealed on Easter Sunday. You may need to adapt the story if greater sensitivity is needed (like young children).

Intergenerational Worship

Intergenerational worship ideas from Intergen Australia, written by Rev Sandy Brodine. THey have two offerings for telling the Easter story, from both Mark's Gospel (shorter!) and John's gospel (more detail!)

I wonder questions

  • "I wonder what Mary was thinking when she saw the empty tomb?  Turn to the person next to you (if you have many kids) and tell them"  or ( with a small group) "Would anyone like to share what they're thinking?"
  • "I wonder why Mary didn't recognise Jesus when she first saw him?"
  • "I wonder what you would have been thinking if you'd gone to Jesus' tomb and found it empty?"

Pebble Easter Eggs

A simple and beautiful craft, great for all ages make, and could be used in a treasure hunt activity too. Source: Sunhats and wellieboots

Rocky Road

An edible rocky road activity from for children to make - and enjoy! Source: Sunhats and wellieboots

Activities and crafts

Picture
Some more creative Easter activities from the sunhats and wellie boots website. 
Weave an Easter cross 
Easter small world play and in a sand tray 
Life of Jesus board game 

Seven minute sermon

Centuries of speculation have given Mary Magdalene a bad reputation. But her life actually provides a great example to follow. This 7 minute sermon podcast from Rev. George Penk is based on Luke 8.1-2 and John 20.14-17

Bead activity

Using different coloured beads to tell the story of holy week, which can be made into a bracelet, keychain, etc. 
  • Green - Palm Sunday
  • Brown and red - Maundy Thursday, for the bread and wine. 
  • Black - Good Friday sadness
  • White - resurrection

Gospel Conversations

Easter Day! If you're not preaching this week, perhaps hold off watching this until Sunday, because this is a real celebration of the resurrection, and over Holy Week we still have Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday to work through before we get there. But when we do, what an amazing, glorious story we are given! Grace, Peg and Anne have a thoroughly enjoyable time thinking about the women at the tomb and the mind-blowing Good News they are tasked with sharing. Christ is risen!
Gospel Conversation conversation from last year! 
A huge thanks to the Diocese of Dunedin for this Gospel Conversation in 2023. In one of the most moving Conversations we have had, Lisa, Gary and Mannie join Michael to rejoice in the deep mystery, love and hope of Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Jesus in the garden. You won't want to miss this one!

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. ​
Download
Terms of Use

Hand printed cross

This activity could be done on a large sheet of newsprint paper, to include everyone's handprints on the one sheet, or each child could have their own smaller piece of paper to make a cross.  It could be done as described, with the hands forming a cross, or in reverse, with the handprints providing the background to a white cross (as per the pictures below). Craft idea was taken from this website
​
"PAINTED HAND PRINTS: Spread some paint on each child's one hand and let them place their painted hand print on a poster board and all the hands need to be in a formation of a cross when the prints are completed. When I did this activity, I did these cross-formation-hand-prints on our class room wall for decoration. The kids loved it and enjoyed it for years!"

Transformation

Picture
There is a sermon from the Church of Scotland, which uses a simple upside down face as a visual aid, to describe the transformation between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This could be helpful for families with younger children. 
Source: Rev Rosie Frew, Church of Scotland

Papier Mache Tombs

Note: These tombs take a long time to dry.  If possible, children should take them home still wet on their paper plate. Those that are left will be dry by the following week. 
What you need:
  • A partially blown up balloon for each child and a few extras
  • school glue watered down a little in shallow bowls
  • newspaper to spread on your work surface
  • scissors
  • lots of string and yarn cut into 10-15 cm pieces (older children will be able to handle slightly longer pieces)
  • paper plates or trays for drying the tombs
  • a bucket of warm water (or access to a sink) and paper towels for washing and drying hands
  • Felts for naming the plates
What you do:
  1. Put the cut pieces of string and yarn and the bowls of glue on the newspaper on each table.
  2. Give each child a balloon, explaining that everyone is going to make an empty tomb to help remind us of the empty tomb that Mary found.  When we see what we make, we'll be able to remember that Jesus was dead, but then he was alive again.
  3. To make the empty tomb, dip one piece of yarn in the glue and then wring it out gently by sliding your fingers down the length of the yarn.  
  4. Wrap the yarn around the balloon. 
  5. Repeat this process until the balloon is about 3/4 covered with yarn. 
  6. Leave to dry.  
  7. Once the yarn framework is completely dry, pop the balloon and pull it out through any of the openings to create the empty tomb.

Easter Egg Relay Race

This is a great game for people of all ages; children and adults can both be accommodated easily.

What you need:
  • 1 teaspoon, tablespoon or soup ladle per 2-4 players
  • 1 hard boiled egg or plastic egg that's weighted with lollies per 2-4 players
  • Tape, rope or chalk to mark the two starting points- point A and point B
  • If desired, kind of small prize for the winning team

What you do:
  1. Divide the players into teams of 4.  If you have a small group, you can have teams of 2.  
  2. Divide each team into two groups, 2 players at Point A, and 2 players at Point B. 
  3. The first player at point A is given an egg in a spoon to carry from Point A to Point B. At that point the egg and spoon are handed off to the next player in their team who carries it back to Point A to the third player and then to the fourth.  If players are using different sized spoons, allow them to use their fingers to move the egg between the implements. A dropped egg means that the person carrying the egg must go back to where he or she started from. The first team to complete the relay wins.

Variations:
  • For younger children, allow them to carry the egg in a ladle. 
  • Adults and old children can use a teaspoon or tablespoon.
  • If the teams are mixed age (which is fun) give each team one of each kind of spoon so that play is fair.
  • If you fill plastic eggs with lollies, allow each team to eat their lollies at the end.

Bead Necklaces

Picture
A bead crosses to take home and hang up somewhere, or wear to remind you that God loves you, even when you forget about him. God will never forget about you!

Media

Songs

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. 

Visio Lectio

Picture
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. ​
Download
Terms of Use
Gospel Conversations 2025: ​These resurrection appearance stories are familiar to most of us, and few are more appealing than this one. Thomas, courageously questioning; Jesus bringing peace to a place of fear; the link to those of us who have not seen and yet believe - there is so much to think about! Rebecca Dudley joins us for the first time, providing some background to the story which Mannie, Anne and Michael join her to discuss.
​Gospel Conversations 2022:  Jesus appears to his confused, scared, doubting disciples - 2000 years ago and still today! Watch here.

Intergenerational Worship

A collection of resources and ideas, written and compiled by Rev Katherine Ruhl Intergen Australia. Bible references: Acts, John

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. 

Preschool Fun

Picture
What is it?
Have a selection of boxes or bags that kids can reach into without seeing what is inside. Can they identify what is inside? Try sand, water, bananas, toys, a book. Talk about: How do you know what it is?

Wind-power station
Set up a space with various 'air' props. Try folded paper fans, pinwheels, an electric fan with ribbons tied to it, a small tub of water with sailboats on it, a paper plane - anything that can be moved by air or help you feel the air.
Talk about: What can you feel? What moves the fan/boat/ribbons? How do you know?

Fact or fantasy?
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

Kids Talks

Games / Activities

What is it? Have kids reach into bags blindfolded, and identify various items based only on touch, sound, or smell. Explain that sometimes we figure things out without seeing them visually.

One truth and two lies. Kids take turns describing three facts about themselves, one of which is true, while the others are made-up. Can the other kids guess which one is true? 

I doubt it game! ​(Easy Breezy Sunday School)
A game with paddles and true/false questions. Each child gets an "I Doubt It" sign, which they use to respond to a list of unusual facts about the bible/life /the story etc. 

Pray it!

Prayer is an opportunity to encounter God. It can involve words spoken in a group, art we hang on our walls, or a stroll in the park. Try this prayer from the Methodist Prayer Cards which offer 52 different prompts for creative prayer

Media

Doubting Thomas (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

We have a collection of three gospel conversations fo this passage, collected over the years! They are listed from newest (this week!), 2023 and 2022. 

Jesus appearing to his disciples huddled in a room with doors locked; Thomas refusing to believe until he can see it with his own eyes - there is so much here to dig into! Simon Martin joins us for the first time, and together with Gillian, Jonathan and Michael, gives us a taste of just how much there is to glean from this amazing passage.
Gospel Conversations 2023 
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.
Gospel Conversations 2022
​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.

Blind bag Icebreaker game

Collect a range of different items that the children would know, and put them in a thin drawstring bag. Take it in turns to pass the bag around and ask children to guess what item is inside. You can either have different bags for different items, or have several in the same bag (to make it more challenging!). How do they know what's inside, when they can't see it? Are they certain? Items could include non-breakable items like a tennis ball, wooden spoon, cuddly toy, book, etc. 

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 pre-record 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 a similar idea, 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

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

Intergenerational Worship

Heading into Easter 2, this resource from Intergen Australia looks at a couple of reading from John, and will offer opportunities to be creative and engage with the scripture. These resources written and compiled by Beth Waldron Anstice.
Available for download from https://intergen.org.au/

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. ​
Download
Terms of Use

Activities

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)

Alternative collect or prayer

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.

Reflection

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

Media

Songs in times of uncertainty or doubt
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