This post offers you 15 Doubting Thomas Sunday School crafts about the Bible Story.
John 20:24-29 tells us the story about one of the disciples, a man named Thomas, who required physical proof that Christ had risen from the dead. The Sunday School crafts below about Doubtful Thomas are for a wide range of ages from younger children to teens.
All of these Doubting Thomas Sunday School crafts are based on the Biblical account of Thomas doubting whether Jesus really resurrected. Thomas’ doubt teaches children in Sunday school or Kids’ church to bring their worries and fears to God, but more than that, it teaches them how to have faith.
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Fold construction paper in half. Have Sunday school kids draw a picture of doubt on the one side and faith on the other. This free Bible lesson teaches kids the difference that faith can make in their circumstances.
Use a paper plate cut in half to symbolize the tomb. Cut out a circle and use a split pin to fasten it to the plate so that the circle becomes a movable tombstone. The joy of Easter is captured in this fun craft. It should look something like this.
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Have kids trace their own hands and cut out the shape. Then cut a hole in the middle of each paper palm. Teach them about the resurrection of Jesus and what that means for us today. If you have extra time, have them act out the story using the craft as a prop.
Print the following 2 pictures to create a mini coloring picture that kids can keep as a bookmark in their Bibles. Encourage them to do Bible journaling to bring the Word to life for them. You can download the pictures I made by clicking download below.
For this Sunday School craft get a few craft supplies together and have kids create a picture of Thomas using a full page. They can draw him with an uncertain expression and body language indicating his doubt. Older kids who will work faster can draw the other disciples and Jesus too.
6. “We have seen the Lord!”
Here the focus is on the other disciples. If you read the full Bible passage, you’ll see that they respond with this faith-fuelled statement. Have the kids make paper glasses (spectacles) and write this Bible verse on the frames. Teach them about responding with faith versus doubt.
7. What’s said in secret… Learn from Doubting Thomas
Thomas told the disciples something he’d probably not have said to Jesus’ face (verse 25), but Jesus ended up knowing what He said (verse 27). Teach the kids about not saying things you do not mean and have them create an emoji with zipped lips by drawing on a yellow tennis ball to create something like this.
8. “Blessed are those who have not seen” Sunday School craft
Have the kids make blindfolds with the words “faith without sight” on them. This echoes Jesus’ words at the end of this passage when He said: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” You can paint the words on or print it on a piece of paper that you pin to the material. It could be fun to do a scavenger hunt, trust fall, or other blindfolded activity too!
Use Hebrews 11:1 as a memory verse and teach that the opposite of doubt is faith. The Easy-to-Read Version is great for younger kids: “Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see.” Have kids make a poster with the memory verse by cutting out letters and pictures from magazines.
10. Teen discussions and prayer card
To teach this story to teens, focus on the keyword doubt. Hand out paper and pens and have them write a prayer down to God talking to Him about their own doubts – the things they find it hard to have faith for. You can prompt them with some “complete the sentence” ideas, like:
I am worried about…
Something about God that I don’t understand is…
Photo by Mariah Hewines on Unsplash
11. Doubting Thomas Painted stones
Hand out stones and have each kid paint something that they are trusting God for on their stone. For example, if they are trusting for restoration in their family, they might paint their family portrait where everyone’s happy and at peace. They get to take it home with them as a reminder to pray and trust God. Take a photograph of the completed craft and put it up in your Sunday school classroom for a reminder about what faith is really about.
Draw a huge question mark on the ground or pavement using chalk. Then hand out a piece of chalk to each individual and have them write their doubts and questions inside the question mark. During that week, go through each thing they wrote and write a Bible verse that answers it underneath. The following Sunday, the kids need to look up their Bible verse and talk with a friend / volunteer about how it addresses their doubt.
13. Rewrite the story of Doubting Thomas
Hand out paper and have kids write the story of Doubtful Thomas in their own words. Older kids can try to come up with creative stories that echo the themes of this Bible passage. The lesson objective is that they get to the heart behind the story. For example: Perhaps the character in their story is someone who trusted God for healing but who struggles to believe that they are truly healed.
14. More Doubting Thomas Sunday school crafts ideas
Eljoh Hartzer is combining theology and art to nurture faith journeys across generations. She is a Masters-level Practical Theologian with the University of Stellenbosch. She is also a writer and editor in the niche of Christianity and children's content and she illustrates children's books. Eljoh resides in the Swartland area in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
You can follow Eljoh on LinkedIn or Instagram.
