Kids' Church @ Home (4)

Welcome to Kids Church @ Home 
Sunday 26th April 2020


Thomas recognises Jesus!

Intro    ( helpful for the adult to read …)

Have you ever hoped for the impossible?

It’s really guttingly disappointing, isn’t it? If you put all your hope and trust in something that ultimately lets you down you feel like your heart has been shredded from the inside.

Imagine for a moment that you are Thomas. You’ve followed an amazing man for 3 years - you’ve seen miracles, you’ve been astounded by his words and you’ve really believed with all your heart that he’s the Messiah - the chosen one. And now… he’s dead. The dream is over. There is nowhere to go next……

As we are still in the Easter season J today, we are looking at Thomas, who actually had more faith than doubt, and, tradition says, went on to be a Missionary in India, taking the Gospel there and eventually dying for his faith.

NB – the highlighted GREEN parts of more suitable for younger children

If there are enough of you, how about you begin with some fun and a game (see if you can work out the connection with our story…)


Hide & Seek

Play for as long as you are having fun!


Worship

Our ‘new’ (to some of you) song from last week :

Happy Day! (Greatest Day in history) –a great worship song for adults and kids to sing and dance together 
Credit: Song "Happy Day" from the Simple Easter Musical for Kids, "Happy Day! More information at Brentwood Benson 

Nothing is impossible! – this song, though a bit more complicated for younger children to follow, is very fitting for our story / theme today, esp words like I'm not going to live by what I see etc. See if you older children can learn the actions and then get your parent to video you doing it!
Credit: Song: Nothing Is Impossible, Artist: Planetshakers, Album: Nothing Is Impossible

Younger children might like the repetition of old favourites, like This little Light
Credit: This Little Light Of Mine from the DVD "Let It Shine!" from Listener Kids 

and Our God is a great big God! 
Credit: Song: Great Big God, Artist: Vineyard Worship, Album:Great Big God Box Set: 50 Songs Celebrating 15 Years


Story time

Here’s a LEGO version of the story (the spoken words are directly from John 20) –its not a bad version actually
Or you could read it to your children from John 20 v. 19-29 (NB. its not a story that appears in many children’s Bibles )
 
For younger children, I have made a short video of me telling the story using paper plate faces to show the different feelings of Thomas and the other disciples when the met the risen Jesus. It ties in well with the craft later on!
You can access it here


Older children –discussion starters….

Read John 20:24,25. Ask your child/ren why they think
Thomas is refusing to believe that Jesus is alive? Do you blame Thomas for doubting? Would you have been able to believe it if you had been Thomas?
How would this encounter have changed Thomas?
Read John 20:26-29. Ask your child/ren how they think Thomas felt when Jesus appeared in front of him? Do you think he actually put his fingers in the nail-holes, or was it enough just to see Jesus?
Challenge : What does it mean for us to be blessed because we believe without actually seeing Jesus ?


Digging deeper ! for the keenies J

Read Hebrews 11:1-3 and 6
  • What is “faith”?
  • What do we believe because we have faith?
  • How does faith make God pleased with us?
  • Why can’t we please God if we don’t have faith?
  • What must we believe?
  • How should our faith affect the way we live?


Craft idea : Salt dough hands!

I understand that flour is hard to find in many stores, so you might choose another craft idea if you need flour for baking purposes!

You will need a mixing bowl and spoon
1 cup salt ,   2 cups of flour,   ¾ cup of water
 
In a large bowl mix salt and flour together.
 
  1. Gradually stir in water. Mix well until it forms a doughy consistency.
  2. Turn the dough onto the bench and knead with your hands until smooth and combined.
  3. Make your creations using the salt dough.
  4. Place the salt dough creations into the oven at 180C. The amount of time needed to bake depends on the thickness/size of the things you make!
  5.  
  • Store your unused salt dough in an air tight container as it keeps well for a few days.
  • You can paint your creations with acrylic paints and seal with varnish or polyurethane spray.
  • Salt dough can also be air-dried and is an alternative to oven drying.
  • Involve the kids in making the salt dough as this encourages and promotes so many learning opportunities, plus it is so much fun!


Alternative craft :

Find coloured or white card (or part of a box)
Draw around your hands (left & right –get an adult to help when necessary!)
Paint a red nail mark in the middle
Cut out – you could add the memory verse “ Jesus said, ‘ Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’.” John 20.29b

An easier craft for younger children to try :
Help them to draw very simple faces eg.  Sad, Surprised, Angry,  Scared, Happy, Eyes closed toworship…some of these may help you… perhaps try just 2 or 3
faces

Prayer time

Lord, thank you that you are alive. Help us to be excited and happy, like Thomas, because you are alive today. Amen.


Older children :

Choose up to 5 friends/family who don’t yet know Jesus as their rescuer and friend, write down their names and pray every day for them :)

  • pray that Jesus will reveal himself to them! And pray as well that knowing that Jesus is alive today will make a difference to the way we live!

With the assurance of my love & prayers

Ruthy Lillington |  Children's Pastor 
ruthy.lillington@ccweb.org.uk