Thursday Lesson – Come and Believe
Scripture Story: John 20:19-29
Spiritual Focus: Happy are those who don’t see, and yet believe.
We are back in the gospel of John today. As we have each day, please take a moment to pray for everyone at camp.
As you open your Bible to John 20:19, you should immediately feel the connection with our Monday study in John 1. John 20:19 identifies the day. John tells us that it is the “same day.” It doesn’t take much effort to know that it is the same day of Jesus’ resurrection. It is the third day. In John 1 we have Jesus beginning his ministry on the third day. And now we have Jesus continuing his new ministry on the third day. Take a moment to read the first portion of this story, John 20:19-23.
Our campers will be taking note of this third day connection, and they will examine all the details of Jesus’ visit with the disciples that evening. They will imagine the emotions experienced that night by the disciples. Take a moment to ponder the depth of this evening’s experience. It could have been the most important night of their lives.
Now read the second part of the story. Most are familiar with this part. John 20:24-29. Thomas was absent. As John begins verse 24, he identifies Thomas by another name, maybe a nickname, Didymus or the “Twin.” Campers will briefly discuss nicknames, noting that nicknames are often descriptive, but not always positive. As a United Methodist camp, we remember that “Method-ist” was originally coined in a derisive manner, now held with great honor.
Thomas the Twin. That’s all we have. Who was his twin? Where was his twin? What happened to his twin? All we know is that if there was a twin, the twin is absent. It could speak to a significant personal loss.
When the other disciples found Thomas, they were obviously very excited. (vs.25) Thomas was not. Maybe he had experienced other occasions when promises of a positive outcome were given but did not materialize. He itemizes what it will take for him to believe. It is from this statement that Thomas has received his most prominent nickname, Doubting Thomas.
Thomas’ list of requirements is very similar to what Jesus actually showed the other disciples during the initial visit.
And so a week goes by. This time, a week later, Thomas is with the others. Jesus comes again. Verse 27 gives the sense that Jesus came this night specifically to see Thomas. Thomas did not have to ask for proof. Jesus offered. Jesus seems eager for Thomas to see. Jesus is not offended by his doubting. Jesus wants him to believe, and knows that he will. And he does (verse 28).
It is then that Jesus includes the rest of us, the campers, the camp staff, everyone after the ascension in his story. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Our belief is traced back to Thomas and the other disciples. It is through their witness, their lives that we have seen Jesus. Campers will note the times they have seen the hands and feet of Jesus through others, at camp and at home. It is the love we share that inspires believing without seeing.
We stay in John’s gospel for Friday’s lesson.
Scripture Story: John 20:19-29
Spiritual Focus: Happy are those who don’t see, and yet believe.
We are back in the gospel of John today. As we have each day, please take a moment to pray for everyone at camp.
As you open your Bible to John 20:19, you should immediately feel the connection with our Monday study in John 1. John 20:19 identifies the day. John tells us that it is the “same day.” It doesn’t take much effort to know that it is the same day of Jesus’ resurrection. It is the third day. In John 1 we have Jesus beginning his ministry on the third day. And now we have Jesus continuing his new ministry on the third day. Take a moment to read the first portion of this story, John 20:19-23.
Our campers will be taking note of this third day connection, and they will examine all the details of Jesus’ visit with the disciples that evening. They will imagine the emotions experienced that night by the disciples. Take a moment to ponder the depth of this evening’s experience. It could have been the most important night of their lives.
Now read the second part of the story. Most are familiar with this part. John 20:24-29. Thomas was absent. As John begins verse 24, he identifies Thomas by another name, maybe a nickname, Didymus or the “Twin.” Campers will briefly discuss nicknames, noting that nicknames are often descriptive, but not always positive. As a United Methodist camp, we remember that “Method-ist” was originally coined in a derisive manner, now held with great honor.
Thomas the Twin. That’s all we have. Who was his twin? Where was his twin? What happened to his twin? All we know is that if there was a twin, the twin is absent. It could speak to a significant personal loss.
When the other disciples found Thomas, they were obviously very excited. (vs.25) Thomas was not. Maybe he had experienced other occasions when promises of a positive outcome were given but did not materialize. He itemizes what it will take for him to believe. It is from this statement that Thomas has received his most prominent nickname, Doubting Thomas.
Thomas’ list of requirements is very similar to what Jesus actually showed the other disciples during the initial visit.
And so a week goes by. This time, a week later, Thomas is with the others. Jesus comes again. Verse 27 gives the sense that Jesus came this night specifically to see Thomas. Thomas did not have to ask for proof. Jesus offered. Jesus seems eager for Thomas to see. Jesus is not offended by his doubting. Jesus wants him to believe, and knows that he will. And he does (verse 28).
It is then that Jesus includes the rest of us, the campers, the camp staff, everyone after the ascension in his story. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Our belief is traced back to Thomas and the other disciples. It is through their witness, their lives that we have seen Jesus. Campers will note the times they have seen the hands and feet of Jesus through others, at camp and at home. It is the love we share that inspires believing without seeing.
We stay in John’s gospel for Friday’s lesson.