Jesus and Thomas

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Bible passage: John 20:19–31

Background: In this session, we see Jesus’ resurrection through the eyes of Thomas, the ‘doubter’; a man we can probably all identify with. Be aware that different members of the group are likely to have different responses to Jesus’ resurrection, and try and make it a safe space for them to honestly share where they’re at without being frightened or reactive to people who share their doubts.

 

GATHERING TIME

10 minutes

As you begin the group time, settle down with refreshments and start a conversation about things that are too good to be true. Does the group know what that means? Have they ever had moments that were so wonderful or got some news that was so good that it felt too good to be true? Have you ever been told something so great you didn’t believe it at first?

 

INTRO ACTIVITY

5 minutes

Play the game ‘two truths and a lie’ with the group to introduce the theme of believing the unbelievable. In this game, people take in turns to say three things about themselves. Two of these statements have to be true, but one must be a lie. Other people have to guess which one is the lie. It’s also a good game to help everyone get to know each other. It might be helpful to prepare your statements and go first to give an example. This will give the group time to prepare their statements.

 

BIBLE PASSAGE

10 minutes

You will need: Bibles

Read the story of Jesus and Thomas together. You could help the group engage a bit better with the story by asking them to take it in turns to readout a verse each. That way they have to follow the passage!

Then split the group in half and ask them to role-play a debate between disciples who have seen Jesus alive again, and those who haven’t and don’t believe. You might want to set some rules about how you manage listening to each other, or act like a ‘chair’ for the debate to make sure they hear each other. Ask the disciples who have seen Jesus to try and convince the others that Jesus is risen, and ask the other half to make it hard to convince them by arguing back with different points.

 

CHATTING TOGETHER

10 minutes

Ask the group a series of discussion questions to help them unpack the story in more depth:

• Why do you think it would be hard to believe that Jesus had risen again?
• If you were one of the disciples, do you think you’d have believed Jesus had risen again without seeing him? What would it have taken to convince you?
• How do we still see this debate going on today? Which side of the discussion do you usually sit on? (Bear in mind that this could be a vulnerable question to ask within a Christian context, and it will take a lot of bravery for a member who finds it difficult to believe in Jesus’ resurrection to share. It might be more appropriate to allow space for members to share than to try and convince them.)
• What are the things that make it hard to believe in Jesus’ resurrection?

 

CREATIVE RESPONSE

10 minutes

You will need: paper; felt-tip pens

Give each group member a piece of paper and ask them to draw around their hands. They may need to help each other. These are representations of Jesus’ hands.

Ask them to consider what reasons or evidence they have to believe that Jesus is alive, and to write these on Jesus’ hands. It might be to do with facts, or people who’ve told them, or moments when they’ve felt a connection with Jesus in the world today.

Feel free to continue this activity in the atmosphere of discussion if you feel that’s more helpful to the group, or alternatively to sit in silence with some music playing to give individuals space to consider their own thoughts. At the end you could ask the group if they’d like to share the reason they have for believing that Jesus died and rose again.

 

PRAYER

5 minutes

Lead the group on a guided meditation, using their imaginations to think about what Jesus might say to them today. Encourage them to close their eyes and sit or lie down comfortably as you read out the following:

You’re in the room with the disciples, still reeling from the shock of losing Jesus; feeling fragile and afraid now that the person you’d put all your hope in has died. The atmosphere is sombre, and you’re worried about what other people might think of you now that you’ve lost Jesus.

Some friends come to you filled with a strange kind of energy and euphoria. They tell you they’ve seen Jesus. They look like they believe it, but it’s hard to imagine. Are they lying to you? Are they crazy with grief? Or could they be telling the truth? Is that just too impossible to be real? What would it mean if they were telling the truth? A strange kind of longing for hope stirs in you.

As you mull it over – whether it’s true or too crazy – Jesus walks into the room, even though the doors are locked. In his gentle way, he walks over and kneels next to you so you’re both at eye level, and he gives you that piercing stare that had become so familiar. He’s there in front of you, but it’s still almost too much to believe. But then he speaks… What does he say to you?

Give the group some space in the quiet to listen to and imagine what Jesus would say to them in that moment (explain to them that you are also doing this). When you feel they’ve had a good amount of time to think over how Jesus might respond, maybe for a few minutes, finish the time of silence by saying praying out loud so the group knows the time is ending, and to help them conclude this time.