JESUS APPEARED TO THOMAS

Parent Guide | Week of February 9th Jesus Appeared to Thomas | John 20 KEY PASSAGE: John 17:3 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: How do we know that God wants us to know Him? We can know that God wants us to know Him because He has revealed Himself through His Word. CHRIST CONNECTION: Jesus is still alive today. We have not seen Jesus, but if we believe in Him, we will be blessed. Jesus sends out believers to tell others about Him and gives us the Holy Spirit to help us. PARENT BIBLE STUDY: Toward the end of John 20, we find the disciples gathered, only a week after the discovery of the empty tomb. Word of His resurrection had already begun circulating, and Jesus even made Himself known to some followers. At this point in the story, we read of Thomas’ response when faced with the news of Jesus’ resurrected life. What lessons can we learn from Thomas’ doubt? Why did Christ declare our faith was more blessed than our sight? Doubt comes so naturally to us. We so often feel the need to see things for ourselves before choosing to move forward in trust. This is as true for us now as it was for Thomas. However, unlike the doubting disciple, we do not have the scar-bearing Christ standing physically in our midst. Yet, Jesus declared this reality to be our blessing and advantage. Thomas’ encounter with Jesus offers us a significant truth about the necessity of faith. Like this disciple, we weren’t physically present to witness the stone roll away or to see the Lord’s burial clothes folded neatly where His body once lay. We weren’t there racing at breakneck speed to see the empty tomb with our own eyes. However, we can receive the greater blessing of faith that only comes with the absence of sight. How great will be our joy when our faith does become sight! Just as Jesus’ resurrected body was able to appear to His disciples even while they hid behind a locked door, so can He break down the barriers to our faith. He welcomes doubters to enter in to His presence. Jesus stood among them despite their distress and fear. In fact, His initial greeting was one of gentleness and peace—not anger or apathy. As you lead your kids this week, help them understand that Christ offers us the same peace and compassion given to Thomas and the others. He likewise commissions us to proclaim the good news to the ends of the earth. Just as Thomas heard of the resurrection through word of mouth, people around us are also dependent upon our sharing of the gospel’s great news. Discussion Guide 1. Is Jesus alive today? How do we know? Remind your kids that Jesus is alive! Tell them that we have proof He rose from the dead because He appeared to over 500 people and the Gospel writers recorded these events. Encourage your children to remember that just because we cannot see Jesus does not mean He is not alive. Tell them that Jesus is the King who is ruling from heaven and will come back to earth one day. 2. Why did Thomas eventually believe Jesus is alive? Discuss how Thomas believed Jesus is alive after he saw Him and was able to touch Him. Remind your kids that Thomas called Jesus his Lord and his God. Encourage them to remember that we can know Jesus like Thomas and believe that He is Lord and God. 3. What do you believe to be true about God even though you have not seen Him? Discuss how we can know many truths about God through His Word. Tell your kids that when we read Bible stories we learn how God keeps His promises, is faithful, trustworthy, and patient. Encourage your kids to remember that God loves us and offers us forgiveness through His Son, Jesus. Tell them that anyone who trusts in Jesus will one day see Him and live with Him forever.