This message illustrates for children the comforting hope that Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit and promises to stay with us always. He wants to take away our worries and fears and replace them with His peace. The message demonstrates this “swap” by challenging kids to carry a large burden of “fear”, and then trade it for something light and comfortable, just as Christ trades our sorrows and anxieties for joy.

https://sundayschool.works/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/childrens-sermon-lesson-doubting-thomas.pdf

https://sundayschool.works/childrens-sermon-object-lessons/john-2019-31-childrens-sermon-lesson-jesus-appears-to-doubting-thomas/

Law/Gospel Theme: Jesus came to transform our lives. He offers forgiveness and wants us to forgive others. Christ does not demand from us perfection or behavior worthy of His love, but gives us His presence and peace no matter who we are. We all have worries and fears about things, but Jesus wants to take those away and give us gladness and strength.

Optional Materials: Backpack or bag, heavy items (books, etc.), light and comfortable items (pillow, toy, etc.).

https://sundayschool.works/lessons/jesus-appears-to-doubting-thomas/

Bible Passage: John 20:19-31
More Doubting Thomas Activities for Children’s Ministry
Watch the John 20:19-31 children’s sermon lesson and related Doubting Thomas crafts
Compare our full Doubting Thomas Sunday School lesson
Compare another children’s sermon on Doubting Thomas and related Faith Object Lesson
Download Doubting Thomas coloring page worksheets
Read the meaning of John 20:24-29 and Jesus’ appearance to Doubting Thoms in the Bible

https://10bibleverses.com/scripture-quotes/doubting-thomas-in-the-bible-scripture-passage-and-meaning/

Bible Verses/story to Reference:
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
-John 20:19-31