Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome(1 minute)

Welcome back to the second lesson of “Doubting Thomas.” Have you ever doubted something until you actually saw it with your own eyes? Jesus calls us to believe and not doubt even when we can’t see. Now, let’s stand together and sing “You Are the One” to praise Jesus who saves us and does amazing, powerful things in our lives—even when we can’t see it!

Play Video: (Song) You Are the One (2 minutes)

Preview the song so you can help the children sing along with the music.

You Are the One

SuperTruth and Discussion(1 minute)

Faith is when we believe without seeing. That is what today’s SuperTruth declares. Let’s say it together: “By faith I will believe Jesus.”

 

Thomas said he couldn’t believe that Jesus was alive until he actually saw and touched Him. This is called doubt, not faith. And that’s why Thomas is called Doubting Thomas. Though we cannot see Jesus with our physical eyes, He asks us to believe in Him by faith.       

 

Now, it’s time to watch a short version of our Bible story. If you have seen the video before, listen carefully for what Thomas reveals about his brother. Be ready to share your answer in Small Group.                      

Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)

If all children watched the Bible story video in the previous lesson, you may skip it here and go straight to the Bible Background Video.

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (11 minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

 

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to Jerusalem just after Jesus is crucified. Roman soldiers say His body was stolen from the tomb. Why should Thomas believe Jesus’ other disciples who say He is alive? And who is the mysterious traveler on the road to Emmaus? The children discover that Jesus is always there—for everyone!

Discussion (2 minute)

    

Who told Peter and John that Jesus is alive? Mary (Magdalene). 

 

When two men were walking along the road to Emmaus, who came alongside them? Jesus.

 

Did they immediately recognize Him? No, He was not recognized by them.

 

What did the two men ask Jesus to do when they neared the end of their journey? Stay the night with them.

 

After the men’s eyes were opened to see Jesus, they remembered what they felt as Jesus shared the Scriptures with them; what was it? Their hearts burned within them.    

 

God’s Word is alive today. The Bible says that God’s word is like a fire! (Jeremiah 23:29) Though we can’t see Jesus, we know He is alive and working in our lives through His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)

In today’s Bible Background video, we’ll learn more about what happened in our adventure with “Doubting Thomas.”  

Play Video 5: Bible Background (8 minutes)

Bible Background

Play Video 10B: SuperVerse Graphic 2

SuperVerse Graphic 2

Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.

SuperVerse Discussion(1 minute)

The SuperVerse today is John 20:29

Who did Jesus say this to? Thomas.

       

What word means believing without seeing? Faith!

 

In this verse, what does Jesus say about those who believe without seeing? They are blessed.

 

Living by faith is not always easy, but God’s favor is upon those who do!   

Let’s say John 20:29 together:

 

 

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. If they are not able to memorize the entire verse, be sure they understand its meaning.

Prayer and Send-Off(1 minute)

Let’s pray. Dear God, help us to live by faith and not by sight. By faith we know You are alive and that Jesus loves us, saves us, and will never leave us. Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross and rising from the dead so we can be forgiven and have eternal life with You! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.     

 

Now let’s go play our game about getting rid of doubt!        

   

Teachers take children to Small Group classes for Grades 1–3 and 4–6. If the combined group is small, all children may stay together for Small Group time.

Rolling Game

Were you paying close attention to the Bible story video? What did Thomas reveal about his brother? He is a twin.

Thomas could not believe that Jesus was alive. You could say his faith was blocked by doubt. This is not how Jesus wants us to live.

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “By faith I will believe Jesus.” 

 

In this game, you are going to remove all doubt so only faith remains. You will do this by rolling marbles to move the DOUBT cups to expose FAITH underneath.  

 

Divide the children into two teams. They do not need to be even.

Have the two teams make separate lines across from a game board and behind the line.

Give each player 2 marbles.

Each team will play at the same time. The first two players will roll one marble at a time to try to move a cup so FAITH is shown. The first team to remove all “DOUBT” and show only FAITH is the winner. 

The word FAITH must be completely exposed in each circle; however, an edge of the cup can rest on the actual circle line.

Once all players on a team have played, two 5^th or 6^th graders can go to the other end and retrieve the team’s marbles. These players must be careful not to enter into the other team’s area of play.

The marbles are given to the players again and play continues as before in the same order.   

Play multiple times as time allows.

 

Option: Teams must be even. Play until all players of each team have rolled their marbles. The team with the most FAITH circles showing in the shortest amount of time wins.

 

Conclusion: Great job, you removed all doubt and only faith remains now! Now, let’s learn more about believing by faith in today’s teaching.      

Teaching

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: “By faith I will believe Jesus.”  

 

In the Bible story, which disciple could not believe unless he saw Jesus? Thomas.

I think that, like Thomas, we would all prefer to see something with our own eyes, rather than just believing without seeing.  

 

We cannot see Jesus with our physical eyes. We must believe with eyes of faith.

 

Hold up the closed Bible. That is why God provided the Bible to us. It is His Word which tells us all we need to know about Jesus to successfully live by faith.        

 

Stand by the table and towel. What if I told you there was a car under this towel. Would you believe me without seeing it? Raise your hand if you believe without seeing. Children respond.  

 

For all who believed, why did you? Children respond. 

Lift the towel to reveal the car. Some of you may have doubted a bit thinking a car could not possibly fit under a towel, right? The most important part of believing is trust. When you trust someone, you are willing to believe even when it may look otherwise.   

 

God is totally trustworthy. He never lies or exaggerates or breaks a promise. (See Hebrews 6:18, Titus 1:2.) The promises He gives us are true forever. What the Bible says about Jesus, His life, death and resurrection is absolutely true. 

 

Not only does Jesus always TELL the truth, He IS the Truth! (See John 14:6.) Wow, it’s exciting to know that there’s no reason to doubt Him! We can absolutely trust Him 100 percent, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, forever!

 

In the video, on the road to Emmaus, we watched how Jesus guided the men’s faith by sharing Scripture. He replaced their confusion, sadness and disappointment with faith and hope. Jesus will do the same for us today through Scripture, His Word. Let’s take a look at how this works!    

 

Hold up the FAITH and DOUBT balloons for children to see. These two balloons represent the choice we make to doubt or believe by faith.

Place the balloons and the Bible on the table in front of you.

Open the Bible to verse #1.

 

Pick up the DOUBT balloon with one hand. Let’s say that something happened or someone has said something that causes doubt to creep in about our salvation through Jesus. Sometimes we just don’t feel saved and maybe we doubt it really happened. Maybe God doesn’t really love us and didn’t send His Son. Slowly raise the Doubt balloon higher.

Doubt begins to grow stronger. What can we do? 

Read John 3:16 in the Bible on the table and then pick up the Bible and hold it in your free hand.     

 

1. John 3:16:

 

 

The Bible tells us the truth we need to overcome doubt. Slowly lower the DOUBT balloon and place it on the table.

Pick up the FAITH balloon and slowly raise it as you speak. We read that God does love us, salvation is for everyone, and we have eternal life by believing in Jesus. Faith is a decision we make, not a feeling—so don’t worry if you don’t “feel” saved. If you ask Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior, you can be sure that you are saved!

 

Look what happens, I pick up faith and let go of doubt! God’s Word helps us overcome doubt. Now, I couldn’t hold both balloons at the same time, could I?

Lift up the Bible. No! As I hold onto what God says in the Bible, I have to make a choice to hold one balloon or the other! I choose to hold onto FAITH and let go of DOUBT!    

 

Let’s look at one more example. Place the Bible and the FAITH balloon on the table. Open the Bible to VERSE #2. 

 

Pick up the DOUBT balloon with one hand. Let’s say that we sin, which means we disobey God’s Word. We begin to feel condemnation and guilt. We no longer feel close to God, and He seems far away. Maybe the devil whispers in our ears that we blew it; the sin was so bad or we have sinned too many times, and God will never forgive us. The devil wants us to think it’s too late to be forgiven! 

 

Slowly raise the DOUBT balloon higher. The more you think about it, the more doubt begins to grow; and you begin to believe that there is no hope for you. Who can tell me what we should do—shout it out! Read the Bible! Read God’s Word!  

 

Read 1 John 1:9 in the Bible on the table and then pick up the Bible and hold it in your free hand.     

 

2. 1 John 1:9:

 

 

The Bible tells us the truth. Slowly lower the DOUBT balloon and place it on the table.

Pick up the FAITH balloon and slowly raise it as you speak. When we come to Jesus and confess our sins to Him, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL wickedness! No matter what the sin, Jesus ALWAYS forgives us! We can’t actually see forgiveness; we choose to believe by faith.       

 

Once again, I choose to pick up faith and let go of doubt! God’s Word helps us to overcome doubt.

 

Alternately, pick up the balloons, lifting each one up and down. Jesus does not want us to live with an up and down faith. Raise up the FAITH balloon and drop the DOUBT balloon to the floor.   

 

Through prayer and reading God’s Word, we can choose to hold onto FAITH and let go of DOUBT!    

 

Conclusion: I don’t want to be remembered as Doubting {Your name}. I want to live by faith and be known as Believing {Your name}. I think that you do, too. Yes, Thomas doubted for awhile—but he finally did believe that Jesus rose from the dead as Jesus lovingly revealed Himself. We want to live a life of faith every single day.

 

It’s now time for the Discipleship Challenge!  

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application 

Give each child who missed the previous lesson a Heart Challenge Page and a Flame Page. Display the sample craft and encourage them to assemble their crafts at home and begin the challenge!  

 

In the previous challenge, you were asked to learn Acts 1:8. Would anyone like to try to say this verse from memory?

 

 

Would anyone like to share how many flames you were able to place in Heart #1? Children answer.

Would anyone like to share an experience with Jesus in your prayer time? Children answer.

Raise your hand of you were able to witness to someone about Jesus. Children respond.

 

Hold up the sample Heart Challenge Page.

 

The next challenge for you is #2. Your challenge is to pray daily for power to live by faith and not by sight. Jesus said those who believe without seeing Him are blessed! When we trust in Him, we can be filled with confident hope, joy, peace, and power! This is what you will learn in Romans 15:13.

 

Each time you work on the challenge by praying daily to live by faith, cut out a flame and glue it to Heart #2. When we fill our hearts with His Word and spend time with Him in prayer, we experience Jesus in powerful ways as we live by faith. And we can’t help but share it with others! 

 

When we meet again, you will have a chance to share your experiences with this challenge.

SuperVerse

Jesus said our SuperVerse to Thomas after He invited him to touch the wounds He had from being crucified. But He is also saying this to us today: We are blessed when we believe in Him without seeing Him! Jesus is talking about faith, which is defined as the evidence of things not seen. (See Hebrews 11:1.) So, we must believe and live by faith, and trust that what we read in the Bible is true.  

 

Let’s read aloud the SuperVerse together two times.

 

Have the children read aloud the SuperVerse twice. Then have them stand and turn around so they cannot see the board. Erase a key word from the verse in the list below. For older children, choose words randomly, not in the listed order. Have the children turn around and raise their hands to guess what word is missing from the verse. Write in the correct word and repeat, erasing another word from the list. As children become familiar with the activity, erase multiple words each time.

1. Jesus

2. told

3. him

4. believe

5. seen

6. Me

7. Blessed

8. those

9. without

10. seeing

11. John 20:29

 

End by having the children face away from the board and try to say the verse from memory.

 

If children cannot memorize the SuperVerse, be sure they understand its meaning. Remind them to keep working on the verse at home.

Prayer

Thomas had been chosen by Jesus as one of His twelve Disciples. He had followed Jesus during His years of ministry on Earth. Thomas loved Jesus with all of his heart and was even willing to die with Him. (See John 11:16.) Yet, Thomas was filled with doubt and very slow to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead.

 

In Mark 9:22b–24, early in His ministry, Jesus met a boy who was tormented by demons. The boy’s father begged Jesus, saying,

 

 

As followers of Jesus, we can all be tempted to doubt sometimes. Doubt can enter our minds from school, the internet, movies, TV, or even from family or friends.  

 

But instead of pretending we don’t have doubt, we should admit it to God—just like that father who asked Jesus for help. Whenever we sense doubt creep in, we can come to God and ask for His help to overcome it. We can also read God’s Word to know the truth and build up our faith.

 

Please close your eyes and bow your heads. Confess to God any doubt or unbelief you may have about Him, or Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or the Bible. Children silently pray.

 

Now, while your heads are still bowed, if you want to overcome your unbelief or doubt, repeat after me: Lord I do believe, but help me to overcome my unbelief!” Children repeat.

 

Now let’s declare what we believe by praying the words of The Salvation Poem:  

Jesus, You died upon a cross

And rose again to save the lost

Forgive me now of all my sin

Come be my Savior, Lord and Friend

Change my life and make it new

And help me, Lord, to live for You

© 2004 Matt & Sherry McPherson. All rights reserved.

 

If you prayed this prayer to accept Jesus for the very first time today, please come and talk to me after class. (Have materials ready to give any new believers, such as the Superbook Kids Bible App and links to Want to Know God? https://us-en.superbook.cbn.com/gospelvideo?version=chris and Gizmo’s Bible Adventures https://us-en.superbook.cbn.com/pages/discover/kidsdevo/gizmos-bible-adventures)

Balloon Game

 

Our SuperTruth says that it is by faith that we believe in Jesus. One way to build our faith is through prayer. (See Psalm 138:3.) Another way is through hearing or reading the Word of God and the Good News of Christ.

Romans 10:17 says:

The more we hear and read about Jesus’ life, His death on the cross, and His resurrection, the more our faith grows to help us believe without seeing. You could say, the more we know, the more our faith grows.

Our game represents how faith follows God’s Word.

Have the children form one line side by side, facing the same direction, an arm’s length between one another, between the boxes and plates. If possible, place a 5^th or 6^th grader at each end of the line.   

Hold up a balloon. Each balloon has a letter to build the words Faith and Word. You will work as one team to build both WORD and then FAITH. You will do this by passing each WORD and FAITH balloon to the player beside you until each balloon reaches the last player. That player then will take each balloon and place it on a plate in order to form two words: WORD and FAITH.

Now, the challenging part is that each balloon must be passed from player to player on the back of your hand and wrist area. You cannot turn your hand over to use your fingers to help hold a balloon. Balloons will be passed one at a time. As soon as one balloon is passed, the next can be started. If a balloon falls to the floor, it can be picked up by the player who last had it and placed on the next player’s wrist again.

 

The first player must begin with the W and then follow with each letter in order to spell WORD. Then, follow the same pattern to spell FAITH. The last player must carry each balloon on the back of the hand to the plate and then place it on the proper plate to spell WORD and FAITH. Once the H in FAITH is placed on the last plate, time is stopped and recorded. We will then play another round to try for a faster time.    

 

Conclusion: In this game, the Word came first and then faith followed.

Did you get or receive the WORD or FAITH all at one time? No.

 

No, as we consistently hear and read God’s Word, our faith builds and grows over time. This is how we can believe without seeing!

Game

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “By faith I will believe in Jesus.”  

 

Jesus made some bold statements of truth about Himself in the book of John. When we live by faith, we believe all that Jesus says about Himself.  

 

Divide the children into two teams. They do not need to be even.

Have each team form separate lines behind the mark and across from one of the tables.

This is a relay. Teams play at the same time.

Start the game. The first player for each team walks quickly to their team’s set of cards and chooses a card to turn over. If it is a statement Jesus made, the player holds it up for all to see and then returns to the line again with the card. If the card is blank, it is returned face down to the same location and the player returns to the line.     

 

The first team to reveal all eight statements wins. Now, hold up each card so the children can see it and have them read it aloud. Then, read the Scripture reference and verse associated with it from the I Am List.

 

Play another round if time permits and reverse the order of the lines so children who played last will play first.     

 

Conclusion: You could not see what was on the cards—you just had to believe that I was telling you the truth. When we become Christians, we have made a decision to believe all that the Bible tells us about Jesus is true; even though we can’t physically see Him. As we continue to pursue Jesus by faith, He will reveal Himself to us in countless ways!

Faith Activity

Jesus said that those who believe without seeing are blessed. We cannot see Him with our human eyes, so we must believe He exists by faith, which means we live by faith, not by sight. The Bible gives us a description and information about important people and things in the Bible. Though we can’t see them, we are asked to believe by faith.  

 

We are going to play a game to demonstrate believing without seeing. 

Point to the card pile. In this pile are eight cards. Each card has a name and picture of an object or a person in the Bible. I will select a card and then read two facts from the Bible about who or what is on the card. From the facts, you will determine who or what you believe is present on each card without seeing. I would like you to raise your hand if you think you can name the person or thing on the card. I will read both of the facts about each card so everyone has a chance to believe without seeing. Once both facts are read, I will call on a few of you to tell me what you believe.

 

Select a card and read the 2 facts associated with it below. The order does not matter. If time permits, after each card is revealed, ask children if they can name additional facts or information about the object or person on the card.    

 

Jesus

1. He is God’s Son. 

2. He died on the cross to save us.

 

Holy Spirit

1. He lives inside all believers.

2. He gives us power to witness about Jesus.

 

God

1. He created all things.

2. He sent His only Son to Earth to save us from our sins.

 

Satan

1. He tempts us to sin.

2. He is called the Father of Lies.

 

Noah’s Ark

1. This was a very large wooden object that could float.

2. It saved two of every kind of animal on the earth.

 

Adam

1. He was the first human created by God.

2. He walked and talked with God in the Garden of Eden.  

 

Angel

1. One of these announced to Mary that she would give birth to God’s Son.

2. One of these rolled the stone from Jesus’ tomb.

 

Ten Commandments   

1. These laws were written by God on a stone tablet and given to Moses.

2. These laws were given to protect us and to help us live to please God.  

 

Conclusion: You did it; you believed in something without actually seeing it. Since we cannot see Jesus with our human eyes, we must believe in Him by faith. The Bible gives us all we need to know about Him from the beginning of time and for all eternity! It is up to us to believe in Him! 

   

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “By faith I will believe Jesus.”

Bible Activity

Have the children sit in pairs. Try to pair an experienced Bible user with a child who isn’t as familiar with the Bible. Give each pair a Bible. The experienced Bible user can quickly look up the verse while the other player writes the answer on a sticky note. The notes are then stuck to the board. If both players are experienced Bible users, the players can alternate looking up a verse and writing down the answer. Have children close their Bibles before you announce the next verse.

Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary.

 

In this game, you will look up Bible verses in the New Testament. I will say a Bible reference and then write it on the board. At this point, you may begin to find the verse. As you do this, I will read a fill in the blank question. The answer or answers are contained in the verse.  

I will repeat the question one more time if needed. The player who is not looking up the verse will write the answer or answers on a sticky note and then walk quickly to stick it on the board. You have 30 seconds to do that. The first team scores 10 points for the correct answer; all other teams score 5 points for the correct answer stuck to the board within the time limit. Every pair will have a chance to finish, so don’t give up! The team with the most points wins. Are you ready to learn find out more about living by faith and not by sight? 

 

Allow spelling errors because of the fast pace of the game. Do as many verses as time allows. Be prepared to help any children with special needs.

Read the verse reference but do not read the actual verse until after each question is answered. 

If time permits, have a child read the verse. Do as many questions as time allows. 

 

1. Hebrews 11:1: _____ is the evidence of things we can’t see and the reality of things hoped for. (Faith)

 

  

2. Mark 9:24: The boy’s father said he believed but needed help to overcome his _____. (Unbelief) 

 

 

3. 2 Corinthians 5:7: As followers of Christ we are to _____ by believing and not by _____. (Live, seeing)

 

 

4. Hebrews 12:2: We can run the race God has set before us by keeping our _____ on Jesus. He is the Champion who initiates and _____ our faith. (Eyes, perfects) 

 

 

5. Hebrews 11:3: By faith we _____ that the Universe was formed at God’s command. What we see did not come from anything that can be _____. (Understand, seen)

 

 

6. Hebrews 11:27: By faith _____ left the land of Egypt. He kept going by keeping his eyes on the One who is _____. (Moses, invisible)   

 

 

7. John 3:16: God gave His only Son. Everyone who _____ in Him will not perish but will have _____ life. (Believes, eternal)  

 

 

8. Hebrews 11:6: It is _____ to please God without faith. Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He _____. (Impossible, exists)

 

 

9. John 6:40: It is our heavenly Father’s _____ that we see His _____ and believe in Him. (Will, Son)

 

 

10. John 12:46: When we put our _____ in Jesus, we no longer remain in the _____. (Trust, dark)

 

 

Conclusion: To follow Jesus, we must learn to see by faith and not by our physical eyes.