Forming Faith Blog

Thomas Doubts (John 20b)

Posted on March 31 2026 by Gregory Rawn
  • Date: April 12, 2026
  • Bible Reading: John 20:19-31
  • The Point: The risen Christ appears to his disciples and sends them out into the world.
  • Unit Theme (April 5—April 26): Good News Spreads

Thomas refused to believe the testimony of his fellow disciples when they saw the risen Jesus, and he did not. Which testimonies do you struggle believing?

A confused man with question marks around him. Thomas was also confused and refused to believe.
About the Story

The disciples were still afraid and hidden in an upper room since it was a common practice to execute supporters or followers of someone who was named a criminal. Jesus appeared to them there so that they might see the good news for themselves. He even returned once again, so that Thomas, who doubted the resurrection, could see the risen Lord. However, Jesus cautioned the disciples that there is a difference between seeing and believing. As the risen Jesus appeared to more and more disciples and the good news spread, we see that nothing, not even Jesus’ death, could separate us from the love of God and God’s desire for us to have life. 

Jesus offered the disciples his peace and gifted them with the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was sent to teach us about God’s gift of abundant life, Jesus sent the disciples out to share the hope of the resurrection as a blessing to others. Their calling is strengthened as Jesus appeared to them and called them by name, and they were equipped with the Spirit to serve in the name of Jesus. 

These stories narrate the events of the first Easter and what followed shortly after. As followers of Jesus, we celebrate the hope of Easter each day and remember our own calling to share Jesus’ abundant life with the world.  

(Adapted from Living the Word: Small Groups)

Context Insights

The following are a few insights found in our background resource Living the Word: Contexts & Connections.

  • Linguistics: In John 20:25, the phrase ou mē pisteusō (“I will not believe” in the NRSV) is emphatic. A better translation of Thomas’ words would be “I will never believe!”
  • History: Jesus was crucified during a period of intense political upheaval in Judea, particularly in Jerusalem. Less than a hundred years prior, the Roman general Pompey had besieged Jerusalem, desecrated the temple, and forced Judea into servitude to the Roman Empire. By the time this Gospel was written, the Romans had returned to destroy Jerusalem and the temple permanently.
  • Literature/Genre: This passage serves to bring together two of the themes of John’s Gospel. First of all, for John, the resurrection represents the culmination of Jesus’ glorification. In addition, John picks up the themes of belief versus unbelief and seeing versus not seeing. He uses this story about Thomas to present a picture of what it means to believe for an audience who had not personally known Jesus.
Connections and Suggestions

We have Narrative Lectionary curriculum resources for all age groups (see also our 2026-2027 NL resources!). Here are a few activity summaries you can use. The full activity descriptions and much more are available in the product noted.

  • Kids: Help students remember the peace that Jesus gives us and sends us out in the world to share. Using permanent markers or paint pens, have students paint a reminder of peace on a river rock. Students can then take the peace rock home or carry it in their pocket. If students have time, they can create more peace rocks to share with others. (From Living the Word: Kids (3rd-6th))
  • Youth: Note: This activity involves fire; only use this activity if you can do so safely outdoors. On index cards or small pieces of paper, have the youth write down a big question, doubt, or concern that they have about God, Jesus, faith, etc. On the other side of the paper, have them write “I believe. Help my unbelief.” Move outdoors. With a pitcher of water nearby, place the papers in a metal bowl or other fireproof container and light them on fire. Tell the youth that they can always bring their doubts, questions, and concerns to God. (From Living the Word: Youth)
  • Intergenerational worship: Before worship (or class), gather images of art related to this “Doubting Thomas” story. Try to find a wide variety of images. (Optional: Gather music and/or poems, too.) Set up an Internet-connected device with projection to show the art. Have worshippers turn to people near them to discuss the similarities and differences between the artistic interpretations. Ask worshippers to keep this in mind as they hear the Gospel reading. (From Living the Word: Cross+Gen Worship)
Previous Posts

This is our blog’s third go-around in the Gospel of John (NL Year 4). Here are some previous posts on this particular passage if you are interested:

I hope you find this all useful! If you have any questions or feedback on this blog post (or anything else), comment on this post below or on Facebook, or send me a message.

In Christ,

Gregory Rawn (Publisher)

Order Faith Formation Resources

Lent is over, and Easter is here, but it’s not too late to order the Spring Quarters of our various resources and download them immediately. Our Narrative Lectionary (Year 4, 2025-2026) and Revised Common Lectionary (Years C & A, 2025-2026) resources are online, ready to order, and available for immediate download! If you don’t have much time for full-length children’s Christian education, then check out our Kids Mini Lessons for the NL and RCL. If you don’t use a lectionary, check out our non-lectionary Living the Word: Classroom (PK-2nd, 3rd-6th).

Brand new RCL faith-at-home resource!

I’m excited to announce a new product series for Spirit & Truth Publishing: Taking Faith Home. Taking Faith Home is a set of weekly devotional resources (often distributed as worship bulletin inserts) that follows the Revised Common Lectionary. Originally published by Milestones Ministry, they handed it off to us as of January 1, 2026. We offer it as a Church Year (Dec. 2025 to Nov. 2026) and a Program Year (Spring & Summer 2026 and Sept. 2026 to May 2027). You can also purchase by quarter (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall). Learn more here!

Easter Season, VBS, and More!

Are you looking for resources for the Easter season, VBS, topical Sunday school, family/intergenerational events, retreats, and more?

Learning Together is a series of five-lesson units on a variety of topics. Our faith formation resources are easy to use, theologically sound, and inclusive. Each unit can be used at any time in many different settings, but here are a few suggestions:

+ Easter: The I AM Statements of Jesus (free!), Travelers (Immigrants and Refugees), Do Justice, Celebrations
+ VBS: Paul’s Adventures (NEW!), Celebrations, Created to Care, God’s Gift of Water, Heroes of the Bible
+ Education/Events: Women of the Old Testament, Bible 101

Our unit Celebrations is a recommended VBS curriculum by Building Faith (and the only curriculum they reviewed from a small, independent publisher)!!! You can read outside reviews on both our Do Justice and Created to Care units!

I am very honored to announce that I was a guest on the premiere episode of season 3 of the Around the Table podcast! The topic: how faith formation is different than Christian education. Check it out at Around the Table S03E01.

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