NT 38B Thomas Doubts

Reference: John 20:19-31

Story Summary:
    On the evening of the day he rose from the dead, Jesus' disciples were gathered together in a room. They had locked the door for fear that the same people who killed Jesus would want to get them.
     Suddenly, Jesus appeared among them. He show them the scars in his hands and his side to prove that it was really him. Then Jesus left them.
     One of the twelve, Thomas, wasn't there when Jesus appeared. "We've seen the Lord!" they told Thomas. But Thomas wouldn't believe them. "Unless I see the scars in his hands," said Thomas, "and put my finger in the hole in his hands and side, I won't believe!"
     Seven days later, all the disciples were gathered again. Thomas was there with them this time. Once again, Jesus appeared to them. "Put your hands in my hands and my side," Jesus said to Thomas. When Thomas saw Jesus, he said, "My Lord and my God!"
     Jesus said to Thomas, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen me and still believe."

Big Idea and Motions: Blessed are those who haven’t seen Jesus and believe.
Blessed - smile and place two thumb’s up by your cheeks
Those - point away from you
Haven’t seen - put your hands over your eyes
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Believe - pretend to hold a rope in front of you with both hands

Verse / Motions: John 20:29, ESV - Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Blessed - poke your cheeks and smile
Those - gesture around to other people
Have not - wag your finger “No”
Seen - pull your eyes open with your fingers
Believed - pretend to grasp a rope in front of you with two hands*
* This is the ASL sign for faith/trust. Follow this link to watch a video: http://goo.gl/4cHz3

Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Why did the disciples lock themselves in the room? // They were afraid of the Jews
Who appeared to them in their locked room? // Jesus
What did Jesus show them to prove it was really him? // His scars
Who wasn’t there with them when Jesus? // Thomas
What did Thomas say would have to happen for him to believe? // See and touch Jesus
How many days later did Jesus appear again? // Seven
What did Thomas say when he saw Jesus? // My Lord and my God
Who did Jesus say was “blessed”? // Those who believe and haven’t seen
Name some other people who saw Jesus after he rose from the dead. // Mary and Mary, Paul, James, Peter, 500 others

Google Docs Links:
Lesson - http://goo.gl/35tdFf
Resources - http://goo.gl/VKnX0Q