Lesson 4:

Thomas and his doubts

INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS

I feel that the best person to choose as an example of assurance and certainty is the man who
seemed to have neither. His name was Thomas and to this day he is known as Doubting Thomas.
As Thomas tells his story we trust that the saved children will see how important it is to believe
what the Lord Jesus says and not to be plagued by doubts and uncertainties. Tell the story of
Thomas in a lively and interesting way.

MEMORY VERSE for the children to revise:

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may
know that you have eternal life (1 John 5 v13).

Slide 1 Title slide

Lesson
Before teaching this lesson you should revise briefly the content of lesson 3.

Slide 2
My name is Thomas. Do you know what my name means? It means a twin and I am
one, which is why my parents called me Thomas.
Many people know my name and have heard of me and many usually put another word
before my name. They call me Doubting Thomas. Thats a strange title isnt it? But there is
a reason for it. I have always been a real pessimist, which means that I have always seen the
dark side of everything. I have always found it difficult to be sure about anything. I am
always having doubts and questions about all kinds of things and this has often caused
problems. Is there someone here just like me? Do you have doubts? Do you find it difficult to
believe? Then I hope my story and how I found the answer to my problem will help you.
So let me tell you my story.

One of the most wonderful things which ever happened to me was when I met Jesus
Christ. I was fascinated by Him and started to follow Him and I became one of His disciples.
I trusted Him as my Saviour and He became my Lord. I really loved Him and wanted to serve
Him.
Slide 3
And then one very special morning the Lord Jesus called all His disciples together and
chose twelve of us to be His special disciples or apostles (Mark 3 v18) and I was one of
these twelve, even though I was so gloomy and pessimistic and I always had so many
questions and doubts. Isnt it wonderful that the Lord Jesus chooses and uses people like me?
We dont have to be perfect. He can use us as we are, even though we feel, at times, so weak
and imperfect.
I was number eight on His list. What a privilege! And during the three years which
followed I was with Him every opportunity I had.

Well, some time after that we had a problem. We had moved with the Lord Jesus from
around Jerusalem to a place called Bethabara across the river Jordan (John 10 v39,40)
because the religious leaders in Jerusalem were trying to capture the Lord Jesus so they could
kill Him. When we were there the Lord Jesus received a message from His friends Mary and
Martha back in Bethany that their brother Lazarus was sick (John 11 v3). They expected Him
to come and heal their brother; but He didnt. Instead we stayed where we were for two more
days. After these two days He said to us, Lets go back to Bethany. This was a real problem
for us and we warned the Lord Jesus that He would be stoned and killed by the Jews if He
returned. But He still said, Lets go. Lazarus is dead, and I want to raise him up (John 11
v11).
Slide 4
And then I spoke up, Lets go, I said to my fellow disciples, so that we might die with
Him (John 11 v16) Yes, I suppose I was brave and loyal to have said this but I was also
very gloomy. Can you see my doubts? I was sure we were going to die. I should have known
better! I should have trusted Him. But thats the kind of person I was.
And so we went; and I had the privilege of seeing the Lord Jesus raise Lazarus from the
dead. What an experience to see Lazarus walk out of his grave! (John 11 v44). And the
Jews did not attack or capture the Lord Jesus. I should have known!

Several weeks later the Lord Jesus took all twelve of us aside to teach us and to share a
number of very important truths with us (John 14 v1 onwards). He told us He was going back
to Heaven; that He would prepare a place for us there and that we should follow Him in the
way He was going.

I was confused and bewildered. I didnt know where He was going and I certainly did not
know what way we were to follow. My old doubting nature with its many questions had come
back again.

And so I spoke up, We dont know where You are going and we dont know the way we
are to go (John 14 v5). Really I should have known the answers to these questions because
the Lord Jesus had given us the answers several times.

Slide 5
But He was very patient and loving with me and with my doubting, unsure nature and He
simply said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14 v6). And I knew that all I
needed to do was to follow Him. This is the answer to your problem also to all your
problems. Follow Him He is the way; believe Him He is the truth; put your trust in Him
He is the life.

But the greatest mistake I made was the Sunday evening following the death of the Lord
Jesus on the Cross. You probably know what had happened. He was crucified early on Friday
(dying to take the punishment for our sins) and He rose again from the dead early on the
Sunday morning. The news of His resurrection passed around His disciples and many of them
came together in an upper room on the Sunday evening to share what they had heard and
seen. But I was not there (John 20 v24). Firstly, I was afraid of what the Jews might do and
secondly, I just didnt believe that the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead. I thought those
who said they had seen Him were imagining things. My old doubting and critical nature had
really come to the surface. I was miserable and I just wanted to cut myself off from everyone.

Slide 6
But I heard afterwards what I had missed that evening. The other disciples came to me and
told me that the Lord Jesus had actually come and stood among them in that room, had
showed them the wounds in His hands and His side, and had spoken to them and told them
many wonderful things. But I didnt believe them and I told them so. I told them that I
would not believe unless I saw the wounds in His hands and feet and unless I could put my
hand into the wound in His side (John 20 v25). I was not called Doubting Thomas for
nothing. I wanted to be sure.

The very next Sunday evening the disciples met together again in that same upper room
and this time I was with them (John 20 v26). And the Lord Jesus came again into the room
and stood right in the centre of our group. I must confess that I shrank back a little. I felt
awful because I had been wrong! I had doubted when I should have believed!
Slide 7
And then the Lord Jesus spoke directly to me and said, Look at My hands and My
wounds. Put your hand into the wound in My side. He knew the very words I had used when
I had spoken to the other disciples. Do not be without faith, He said, Do not doubt; just
believe.
I realised then just how wrong I had been and my doubts and unbelief just melted away
like snow when the sun shines on it.
Slide 8
All I could do was fall at His feet and say from the bottom of my heart, My Lord and my
God (John 20 v28) This was a wonderful moment for me. When I saw Him and heard His
Word I was sure completely sure that He was my Lord and God, and that I could trust
Him for everything. My doubts were gone!
What about you? If you have trusted the Lord Jesus and you have started to follow Him
are you sure that He is your Lord and your God? Do you believe every Word He has said? He
speaks to you in His Word, the Bible, and He has given us His Word, as our memory verse
reminds us:
Slide 9 shows the memory verse
(If you are able to edit PowerPoint you may change the Bible version used for this verse)
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye
may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God (1
John 5 v13), so that our doubts will disappear and we will know that we have eternal life.
Slide 10 and 10a follows automatically after 2 seconds
Do you believe Him when He says, I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish
(John 10 v28). That means you can never lose your salvation.
Slide 11
Do you believe Him when He says, Lo, I am with you always (Matt 28v20).
That means you should never be afraid.
Slide 12
Do you believe Him when He says, In My Fathers house are many mansions; if it were
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14 v2). That means you
should not worry about the future or about death.
Do you really believe Him? Do you really trust Him? If you do He will take away your
doubts and your uncertainty and help you to be sure.
How do I know?

Slide 13/14 (automatic advance of 14)

Listen to these next words which the Lord Jesus said to me that evening
Thomas you have believed, your doubts have gone away, because you have seen Me. That is
good. But there are many others in future years who will not be able to see Me, because I will
not be here. But they will be able to believe just like you and they will be forgiven and
know the happiness you have (John 20 v29).
Slide 15
If you have believed, if you have trusted the Lord Jesus, then you are one of those the Lord
Jesus was speaking about. You have not seen Him like me, but you have trusted Him and He
promises that you will be happy because you have trusted Him and He will remove your
doubts as He removed mine, when you remember to follow Him and obey Him at all times.
But if you are not saved the Lord Jesus wants you to take the very first step. He wants you
to ask Him to be your Saviour. The Bible says, For whosoever shall call upon the name of
the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10 v13). If you ask Him to save you He will do so; and He
will help you to grow and get rid of any doubts or problems you might have.