Jesus And Doubting Thomas
Children's Resources
Spotlight On Jesus
Readers' Theater For Children's Church
Characters
Narrator
Thomas
Peter
John
Jesus
Questions
1.
When Jesus came to the disciples that first Easter evening, was Thomas there?
2.
What did Jesus say to his disciples that evening?
3.
When Thomas learned that Jesus had appeared to the disciples, what did he say?
4.
What did he say a week later when he actually saw Jesus?
Narrator: It's now late Sunday afternoon on that first Easter, the disciples are in the upper room trying to figure out exactly what happened at the tomb that morning.
Thomas: (argues) Okay, Peter, John. I don't deny the tomb is empty. I checked that out for myself. But that doesn't prove that Jesus is alive.
Peter: I agree, but what about the grave clothes? They lay there, as though the body simply evaporated.
Thomas: Maybe those who stole Jesus' body laid them that way, trying to trick us to believe this outlandish tale.
John: What about the women's story? They said some angels told them Jesus was alive, and Mary claims she actually talked with the Master.
Thomas: That's what they say, but those so-called angels were probably two of the grave robbers dressed in white, and Mary -- why she's been so hysterical about losing Jesus, she's liable to imagine just about anything.
Peter: I'm not saying these make for absolute proof, but taken together they do add up to some remarkable coincidences.
Thomas: Well, I'm going back to the tomb before it gets dark. Maybe I can learn something more. Jesus performed many miracles, but to come alive after being crucified, why he'd have to be God himself.
John: We're locking the door behind you. When you return, give the secret knock. God be with you.
Peter: Ole Thomas is a hard one to convince. I don't think he'd believe even if he actually saw Jesus. Hey! Somebody's in here! Who'd you let in when Thomas went out?
John: I didn't let anyone in. Thomas walked out and I shut and locked the door behind him.
Peter: Then who's that man standing inside the door?
Jesus: The peace of God be with you.
Peter: Who are you, man? How'd you get in here?
Jesus: Peter, John, all my dear friends, don't you know who I am?
John: (awestruck) Jesus? ... Is that really you? ... It must be you. How else could you walk through a closed door?
Jesus: In a short time I will send the Holy Spirit upon you ... (blows) then you must go out and tell the world that I am alive. You must say that their sins may be forgiven and that I have returned to my Father to prepare a heavenly home for all who believe.
Peter: Whom shall we tell? Our fellow Jews, of course. But surely not the Gentiles.
Jesus: The Father sent me to all people. I am sending you to all the peoples of the world.
Narrator: Jesus disappeared as suddenly as he had come. Shortly afterwards, Thomas returned.
Jesus: Thomas! While you were gone, Jesus was here! We actually saw him alive. He spoke to us.
Thomas: (deeply disappointed and angry) Oh, no! How could this happen? Here I go out to the tomb to search for Jesus, and he repays my efforts by coming while I'm gone. (slightly angry) Well, I'm just not convinced at all! Maybe you're lying. Maybe you're hallucinating. I don't know, but unless I see the nailprints in his hands and the scar in his side, unless I hear him, yes, and touch him, I simply won't believe. Never!
Narrator: All week long Thomas moped around, miserable and filled with doubt. But exactly one week later, the following Sunday evening, Jesus came and stood among them. This time Thomas was there.
Jesus: God's peace be with you all. Thomas, dear friend, come close. Look carefully and see my wounds. Reach out and touch me. I want you to be absolutely convinced that I am not an imagined specter, but that I am real ... and alive!
Thomas: (humbly) Lord, I do believe. (spoken with awe) You are my Lord. You are my God.
Jesus: Thomas, you believe because you see me. Blessed are those who have never seen me and yet believe.
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
Narrator
Thomas
Peter
John
Jesus
Questions
1.
When Jesus came to the disciples that first Easter evening, was Thomas there?
2.
What did Jesus say to his disciples that evening?
3.
When Thomas learned that Jesus had appeared to the disciples, what did he say?
4.
What did he say a week later when he actually saw Jesus?
Narrator: It's now late Sunday afternoon on that first Easter, the disciples are in the upper room trying to figure out exactly what happened at the tomb that morning.
Thomas: (argues) Okay, Peter, John. I don't deny the tomb is empty. I checked that out for myself. But that doesn't prove that Jesus is alive.
Peter: I agree, but what about the grave clothes? They lay there, as though the body simply evaporated.
Thomas: Maybe those who stole Jesus' body laid them that way, trying to trick us to believe this outlandish tale.
John: What about the women's story? They said some angels told them Jesus was alive, and Mary claims she actually talked with the Master.
Thomas: That's what they say, but those so-called angels were probably two of the grave robbers dressed in white, and Mary -- why she's been so hysterical about losing Jesus, she's liable to imagine just about anything.
Peter: I'm not saying these make for absolute proof, but taken together they do add up to some remarkable coincidences.
Thomas: Well, I'm going back to the tomb before it gets dark. Maybe I can learn something more. Jesus performed many miracles, but to come alive after being crucified, why he'd have to be God himself.
John: We're locking the door behind you. When you return, give the secret knock. God be with you.
Peter: Ole Thomas is a hard one to convince. I don't think he'd believe even if he actually saw Jesus. Hey! Somebody's in here! Who'd you let in when Thomas went out?
John: I didn't let anyone in. Thomas walked out and I shut and locked the door behind him.
Peter: Then who's that man standing inside the door?
Jesus: The peace of God be with you.
Peter: Who are you, man? How'd you get in here?
Jesus: Peter, John, all my dear friends, don't you know who I am?
John: (awestruck) Jesus? ... Is that really you? ... It must be you. How else could you walk through a closed door?
Jesus: In a short time I will send the Holy Spirit upon you ... (blows) then you must go out and tell the world that I am alive. You must say that their sins may be forgiven and that I have returned to my Father to prepare a heavenly home for all who believe.
Peter: Whom shall we tell? Our fellow Jews, of course. But surely not the Gentiles.
Jesus: The Father sent me to all people. I am sending you to all the peoples of the world.
Narrator: Jesus disappeared as suddenly as he had come. Shortly afterwards, Thomas returned.
Jesus: Thomas! While you were gone, Jesus was here! We actually saw him alive. He spoke to us.
Thomas: (deeply disappointed and angry) Oh, no! How could this happen? Here I go out to the tomb to search for Jesus, and he repays my efforts by coming while I'm gone. (slightly angry) Well, I'm just not convinced at all! Maybe you're lying. Maybe you're hallucinating. I don't know, but unless I see the nailprints in his hands and the scar in his side, unless I hear him, yes, and touch him, I simply won't believe. Never!
Narrator: All week long Thomas moped around, miserable and filled with doubt. But exactly one week later, the following Sunday evening, Jesus came and stood among them. This time Thomas was there.
Jesus: God's peace be with you all. Thomas, dear friend, come close. Look carefully and see my wounds. Reach out and touch me. I want you to be absolutely convinced that I am not an imagined specter, but that I am real ... and alive!
Thomas: (humbly) Lord, I do believe. (spoken with awe) You are my Lord. You are my God.
Jesus: Thomas, you believe because you see me. Blessed are those who have never seen me and yet believe.
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
