The Results of this Session (session plan below)

Doubting Thomas

Watch on YouTube/ read online

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_QcGnwilXI

Context

NOTE: Our minister Paul is away. These notes are derived from: Tom Wright. John for Everyone (Part 2). London: SPCK, 2004.

The Holy Spirit gives the disciples the skills and the support to do what would otherwise seem impossible – to implement Jesus’ mission to the whole world.

As Adam first heard God at the creation of the world, so the disciples hear the sound of the Holy Spirit at the start of God’s new kingdom.

John’s gospel ends, in the original ending, with someone (Thomas) calling Jesus “God” to his face for the first time, bringing to an end the story which began “In the beginning was the Word […] and the Word was God”. We now see what that looks like, something new, neither man nor ghost. The resurrection creates.

The disciples are not trying to categorise Jesus, and come to the conclusion he must be the Messiah. They have been looking for a Messiah, and realise that the Messiah is Jesus – this is what God looks like. “Nobody has ever seen God. The only-begotten God, who is intimately close to the father – he has brought him to light.”

Plan

20250427 Doubting Thomas Download

Create Refreshments are served!	/minecraft You have 20 minutes or so to build something in response to the story, either on your own, or team up with others. Quick build – build something with a cornerstone “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (Psalm 118). You love Minecraft and Minecraft Church – but how can you convince others that it is good? Write a sign Design a poster Design a screenshot in Minecraft showing the best bits that could go on a poster Demo some of the best features that we could record in a short YouTube video Write a social media post Remember some of the best bits of Minecraft church are working with other people – how can you show you have fun together? Thomas needed to see and feel Jesus to believe. John describes events in writing to show others Jesus is God, so they can believe. What makes what you have created convincing to others? What convinces you to believe something?
Wonder	While you are creating, think about these questions with the adults on your table. I Wonder: which part of this story you like the best? what part is the most important? where you are in this story or what part of the story is about you? if there is any part of this story we can leave out and still have all the story we need? There are many other things that can make us WONDER – what are you thinking about?
Final Prayer	We’ll finish with a prayer
Play	We’ll put some music on and let your Minecraft characters dance about using jumping or emotes