Jesus Appears to Thomas Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Jesus came and stood among them.”
It was Sunday evening, the day Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus’ friends were together in a room. The doors were locked. They were afraid of the leaders who had put Jesus on the cross.
That morning Mary Magdalene had told them that she had seen the Lord. She had told them what he said to her. But most of them had not seen him yet.
Then Jesus came and stood in the middle. The doors were still locked! “Peace be to you,” he said. Peace means: do not be afraid, all is well. Jesus came and stood among them.
He showed them his hands and his side. They could see the marks where he had been hurt. The friends were so glad when they saw the Lord! Can you make a big, glad smile? Jesus came and stood among them.
Jesus said again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” God the Father had sent Jesus. Now Jesus was sending his friends to tell others about him.
Then he breathed on them. He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit!” The Holy Spirit is God’s own Spirit. Can you breathe out softly, like a little wind? Hoo.
But one friend was not there. His name was Thomas. Thomas was one of the twelve. People also called him the Twin.
The others told him, “We have seen the Lord!” The others were so glad. But Thomas had not seen what they saw. Thomas said he would not believe. First he wanted to see the marks in Jesus’ hands. He wanted to touch them with his finger. He wanted to see Jesus with his own eyes.
Eight days later, the friends were together again. This time Thomas was with them. He had waited all those days. Let’s count eight days on our fingers! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight! The doors were locked again.
Then Jesus came and stood in the middle. “Peace be to you,” he said. Jesus came and stood among them.
Jesus said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.” Jesus knew just what Thomas had said! Jesus was not cross with Thomas. He came to help him believe.
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Can you say it with Thomas? My Lord and my God!
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Blessed means very happy with God. Jesus was talking about people who would believe later, without seeing him, like us!
Jesus did many other wonderful things with his friends. Not all of them are written down. But John wrote these things so that we can know who Jesus is. He wrote it down for us. “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”
Jesus is alive. He is Lord and God, and he brings us peace. Jesus came and stood among them.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think Thomas wanted to see Jesus himself?
- How do you think Thomas felt when Jesus came back?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” — John 20:29 (Blessed → hands on your heart; have not seen → cover your eyes; and have believed → open your hands and look up)
Dear Jesus, you are my Lord and my God. Thank you that you are alive. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: It's okay to ask
Memory verse: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” — John 20:29 · WEB
The Bible story
Poor Thomas missed seeing Jesus and could not believe his friends, until Jesus came just for him with the kindest surprise of all.
Talk about it
- Where were Jesus' friends hiding one evening? — In a locked room
- What did Jesus say when He suddenly appeared? — "Peace be with you"
- Which friend was missing that first evening? — Thomas
- What did the friends tell Thomas? — "We have seen Jesus!"
- What did Thomas say he needed before he would believe? — To see the nail marks
- How long did Thomas carry his heavy question? — A whole week
Where is Jesus in this story?
After Thomas saw Jesus, he cried, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus said that people who believe without seeing him are blessed (John 20:28–29). That means you! Thomas saw the nail marks, but we meet Jesus through the Bible, which John wrote so that you may believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in his name (John 20:31).
What God wants to tell us
Sometimes we feel unsure, just like Thomas did, and that is alright. God is never cross when we have questions. Jesus did not scold Thomas or leave him out; He came back specially, gently, just to help him believe. God knows exactly what your heart needs, and He is patient and kind. Whenever you wonder or feel small, you can bring your questions to Him, and He will meet you with love.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You that You never leave anyone out. When I feel unsure or my heart has questions, help me remember that You come close with love, just like You did for Thomas. Fill my heart with peace and happy trust in You. Amen.
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