Lesson Learned:  Jesus loved His friends and visited them after He had risen.

Materials Needed: marker

Bible Verse:
John 20:19-20
 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  

John 20:24-29
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
   But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
 
Talking Points:  The disciples were very sad that Jesus had died; they did not know that He had risen from the dead yet (which is what we celebrate on Easter–Jesus’ resurrection).  Jesus loved His friends so much that He wanted them to know He alive.  Jesus visited them and showed them the marks on His hands where the nails had been and the scar on His side so that they would believe that He was the Jesus that they knew and loved. Then, He told them to go out and tell the world about Him.

Questions: How do you think Jesus’ disciples felt after they saw Him? Have you ever been away from someone you love for a long time (like a Grandma or mom/dad on a business trip or a favorite aunt)?  How did you feel when you saw them again?

Activity:
  Draw marks on the center of the child’s palms and as you read the verses, point to the marks on their hands, just like Jesus showed the nail marks to Thomas and the other disciples.  Let them draw marks on the center of your palms as well.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we want to believe even without seeing and be blessed. Please strengthen our faith ever day. Amen!

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