MP3 Accompaniment Track (right click to save to your computer), Share This Sermon Believing without Seeing Theme Faith Object A book from the Magic Tree House Series (Children's books) Scripture Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 (NIV) Have you seen these books before? Use fabric paint or permanent markers to write the Bible verse on a large piece of canvas. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! Listen to what Jesus said to Thomas. Out of the Story for Teachers And Jesus rebukes Thomas (gently but firmly) for not believing the additional eyewitness testimony of all the disciples after they had subsequently seen Jesus. All Rights Reserved. Believing Without Seeing = Blessedness Layton Talbert | April 17, 2020 Theology Here we are in the week between the first and second appearances of Christ to his gathered disciples. Required fields are marked *. This time, Thomas was there to witness, and he had quite the meeting coming to him, Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. "Worship and glory belong forever to the eternal king, the immortal, invisible, and only God. Required fields are marked *. "Faith requires that we believe, despite not having any visual evidence.If seeing were believing, then faith would be irrelevant and unnecessary. In verses 11-13 were told, The king of Aram was very upset over this. The greatest faith any of us could possess is the ability to believe without seeing. This is where the rubber meets the road and where you lean on your eyes of faith in spite of your physical eyes. 1 Timothy 1:17Close1 Timothy 1:17 Hebrews 11:1, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, Lord, save me! (vs 29-30), Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. He called his officers together and demanded, Which of you is the traitor? Notice how I titled today's devotion "Believing is Seeing," and not the other way around?If you think about it, we believe without seeing every day. This verse contains the grave and solemn rebuke to Thomas, and a warning to all who are disposed to demand an excessive amount of evidence before they believe. (NKJV). Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.". The Bible says if I have not love (God's love in me) I am nothinga useless nobody (1 Corinthians 13:2Close1 Corinthians 13:2 Provide children with supplies of various colors of construction paper and markers, to draw very large eyes. It starts with splitting pairs. "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. Then the children can sit in a circle and tell what they SAW from reading the words or the pictures that they drew while looking for the objects. Do the same for the presents and the heart. (If children are too young, a picture on card stock of a nail could be hole punched and used for the necklace). This account of Jesus' raising of Lazarus is a case study in the frightening nature of unbelief. Write today's Bible verse or words from today's lesson to help us SEE JESUS and to believe the truths of God's Word even though we can't SEE Jesus! (NKJV), "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? We use the word "seeing" when it's a gerund or verbal noun: Seeing the mistake, she corrected it immediately. are the senses (e.g.eyes, ears , fingers) not put there first, for instance for to evaluate things before making a (mental) decision in life? stream Close with a prayer thanking God for Jesus, and for blessing our faith even though we dont see Him with our eyes. They were hiding because they didnt want to be arrested and crucified as Christ had been. Children can write words from today's lesson about the Easter story, empty tomb, He is Risen, Believe, etc, on the top of the paper plate as desired. 4. Please feel free to fill out the Prayer Request form. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Children can trace and cut out a large red heart - adding glitter and I BELIEVE in the middle of the heart, Children could be encouraged to draw a small hand on the middle of the heart with a small "nail hole" as well. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. Have you read any of them? AND THIS IS TRUE OF US ALSO. Thats true for most people, from kids to great-grandparents and everyone in between. Create a banner with these words to display in the classroom, hallway or church. Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? Why is it difficult for some to comprehend and believe that God created the universe, is in control of everything, and ordains life?DOUBT.Doubt is an incredibly powerful weapon that the devil uses to attack the minds of those whose faith is weakened due to struggles in life, feeling distanced from God, or who have never truly known the Savior.Doubt occurs when we begin to think we have to see God to believe in Him, and when our faith is dependent on what our eyes can see.But faith is not something we can see. We believe we have a heart, and it is the right size although we have never actually seen our heart. We believe there are nice things inside wrapped presents, even though we cannot tell for sure until we open the box. WHAT YOU WILL DO: First, give each child a copy of the handout. John 20:29 (NIV). You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. Gods word is so incredible. This lesson explains to kids that we sometimes have to trust in God to fill in the gaps of what we dont see or fully understand. Jesus said he will rise, and it was foretold in Scriptures. You love him even though you have never seen him. By signing up, you are consenting to our privacy policy. There is no visual evidence. We are blessed. David poured out his heart in the Psalms, including anger, fear, and pretty much the whole spectrum of human emotions. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NKJV). The case of Thomas is not an uncommon one. Here are some activities to get kids thinking (select the best ones for your audience and age group): Believe without sightHave students reach into bags blindfolded, and identify various items based only on touch, sound, or smell. English Standard Version for we walk by faith, not by sight. Heb 11:1 says, NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things NOT SEEN. (GW). 25So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them,Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe. -John 20:24-25Thomas wouldnt buy it. The One Who knows exactly what you need and where you need to go. Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV, And it is impossible to please God without faith. Jesus is saying that we are blessed. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. In fact, there were more things that happened, too, because there were too many wonderful events to fully document. Our physical world doesnt compare to the reality of the spiritual world. We listen to the news on the radio or television and believe what they say is true. (The strip of card stock will just be folded and one end glued to the bottom of the heart and the other section will be on the table and hold the heart up.). Maybe you're discouraged because of your current circumstances and all that you see looks abysmal and disheartening. The Latest Kids Activity: Believing Without Seeing. And that is how we know that what we believe is true. We havent seen God in the flesh, but we trust and believe, even if its difficult at times. The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Berean Literal Bible For we walk by faith, not by sight. It is HIS divine will that young people come to faith in Jesus Christ and find salvation through the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them to faith. Used by permission of Zondervan. Sermon4Kids. Please use our childrens ministry curriculum and Sunday School material for any purpose that brings honor to Jesus. Christ acknowledges Thomas for coming to faith, but he says, Blessed are those that do not see, but still believe. This is the pivotal message of the Bible story. All Rights Reserved. This is what makes Christianity amazing. So where is the common sense of saying that in such a mysterious matter as the concern of our souls we ought to believe nothing that we do not see, and ought to receive nothing as true unless it is demonstrated to us? You can use materials you have at home not necessarily a canvas or cloth. But the Scriptures point to me! <>/OutputIntents[<>] /Metadata 411 0 R/ViewerPreferences 412 0 R>> He does believe, after all; Jesus says so (Jn. Paul said, "Speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ " Ephesians 4:15CloseEphesians 4:15 1 Peter 1:8-9 tells us, You love him even though you have never seen him. Amen." See all articles by Jens Omdal Jens Omdal. He was not dead, but risen and with them! First, give each child a copy of the handout. We believe there are rocks on the moon even though we have never been to the moon. Its important for faith teachers to communicate to kids that God is very real and loves us, even though we cannot see Him with our eyes or touch Him with our hands. Your subscription will auto renew on May 1, 2024 for $199/year. believe without seeing 6. Those are the three steps involved in taking a leap of faith, believing without seeing, active faith. You can specify preference after sign-up and opt out at any time. Thomas was reluctant to believe in the truth of the resurrection without seeing Jesus himself, until he saw him with his own eyes. 'The Word was God,''the Word became flesh,' is the Evangelist's solemn confession of a belief which had been proved and deepened by . Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! He refused to believe the testimony of ten true friends and brethren, who could have no object in deceiving him. Copyright Ministry-to-Children. Register None have seen the "shape" of God, yet this hasn't stopped us from loving Him. Can you believe that? Login Jesus said, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) Then when he did see Jesus, he fell on his knees and said, "My Lord and my God." In matters of science, we must begin by believing much which we do not understand, taking many positions on trust and accepting many things on the testimony of others. So get real and get raw! This would be Nice to hang outside your home or put on your window for display. In between, the other ten tried to persuade Thomas that Jesus really was alive and they really had seen and touched and talked with him. Jesus actually came to many people who were amazed to see Him again. Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? He promised them peace and the forgiving power of the Spirit. Seeing is believing. They dont have a solid handle on abstract concepts and need to see and experience to fully comprehend. 1 2 3 Next Here, in chapter 14, Jesus is explaining to his disciples that he's going to be leaving them soon (the ascension) but where he's going (heaven) he's preparing a place for them in his Father's house. However it happened, he refused to believe unless he had the opportunity to see and touch the savior for himself. We can believe in Christ and have faith in His promises, based on the Bible. It is eternal, unshakeable, immovable, ever-present, all-knowing, all-powerful, immeasurable, unchangeable, always available, unconditional, perfectly loving it isnt an it at all. 2023 Ministry-To-Children.com | Bible Lessons for Kids, Activities for Sunday School, Free Resources for Children's Ministry Leaders. Would you believe it if. The disciples realized this was truly Jesus, come back from the dead. Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me." That "believing without seeing" faith has gotten me through clinical depression, anxiety, binge eating disorder, and post-abortion recovery. God is not afraid of our feelings. It sustains me still, one day at a time on mountaintops, in valleys, and everywhere in between. My prayer is the same as Elishas: Lord, open our eyes and let us see, and in the meantime, give us faith to believe without seeing! I must first see, and then I will believe. Christianity replies, You cannot avoid mystery unless you go out of the world. He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. when you see something happening over and over: I think that explains why recently I've been seeing a chicken in our yard. John 20:19-31 ideas on Sunday School Works, Doubting Thomas Sunday School Lesson (John 20:19-31), Jesus Gives Freedom from Sin (John 8:32) Lesson Plan, I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35) Lesson, I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16) Lesson, HOME Sunday School Lesson (John 9:1-42) Jesus Heals a Blind Man, Childrens Sermon (Luke 24:36-49) Jesus Proves His Identity, Sunday School Curriculum and Bible Lessons for Kids. B. Thomas saw and believed (26-29) 1. Believing Without Seeing! The teacher can tell them to look for any item that has a ribbon on it so that children will know an item that is to be written down for this class project, such as a pencil, a stuffed toy, a cross, a Bible, a drinking cup, a flower, a picture, a toy, a bracelet, etc. People say seeing is believing, but I beg to differ. Encourage your kids to do the same. John 3:18, Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life. The way to navigate lifes storms is ridiculously simple and profoundly difficult:talk about it. Seeing Is (Not Always) Believing! Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." endobj document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 4524 Boat Club Rd Suite 150 But Jesus says that those who will believe without seeing for themselves will be uniquely blessed. 3. Every kids church ministry deserves the very best resources for teaching Gods Word, even when they dont have the financial resources. Our hope isnt found in whats tangible or visible. You are signing up to receive general newsletters from CBN. What if were in pitch-black darkness, in the storm, and cant evenseethe light? You could also talk through the story and have students mime or act it out with puppets. Her eclectic career began as an actress in her teens (ABCs All My Children) and now encompasses speaking, singing and writing all to inspire others toward true identity and counter-cultural freedom in Christ. Glue the eyes, lashes (cut from another color of paper and cut to look like lashes), eyebrows, etc on a piece of construction paper. So in order to effectively show an unseen God to others, I must have more than religion. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) Then Jesus told him, You believe because you have seen me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen Me do" John 14:9-11CloseJohn 14:9-11 (NKJV). For there are more on our side than on theirs! Then Elisha prayed, O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!, The Lord opened the young mans eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with chariots of fire. Lauren Roman is an enthusiastic encourager, creative communicator and truth teller who captivates audiences of all kinds. We won't share your email address and you can opt-out at anytime. Of course they were glad when they saw Him; who wouldnt be? To do this or that. The solution isnt inwhatwe do, butwhowe turn to. About Us A. Thomas refused to believe without seeing (24-25) 1. These incidents anticipate the readers potential skepticism to Johns testimony and message throughout the book without seeing these extraordinary events for themselves. Give the children a piece of paper and marker or pencil to record the items that they SEE but without telling the other children what they have SEEN. Therefore, love may be required to speak truth. Ive discovered a law of the soul during my journey, just as certain as the law of gravity: the sooner I muster enough courage to reach out for help, the shorter my time in the darkness will be. We listen to the news on the radio or television and believe what they say is true. The preface to his Expository Thoughts on John lists over 80 commentaries on John that he usedfrom Patristics to Reformers to contemporaries, Protestant to Catholic, English to Scotch to German to Continental commentators. John 5:24, Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of Gods one and only Son. Thomas might have felt a little sheepish when Jesus came directly to him like that. This week in our Bible Reading we are learning to believe without seeing. Unlock everything with Sermons4Kids Basic for $199/year Click YES, UPGRADE NOW and unlock Sermons4Kids Basic for $199 today. Daphne Delay is an author, speaker, and podcaster with a passion to help this generation discover who they are in Christ. Now, I want to talk about the difference between this process of . John 20:25. Please shine the Light of Your presence always before me so that I do not stumble. Provide children with seemingly challenging riddles, and explain them. John 6:47, But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. We listen to the gossip of others and believe their words to be fact. Jesus always declared the Father both in word and deed. His story teaches us to stay humble and seek God's wisdom in every decision, regardless of our IQ. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me. John 20:29 NLT (emphasis mine), The bible always proves the bible. 1 0 obj We are happy because we are willing to believe in him without actually seeing him. Pin This. He got the proof he demanded, but Jesus said something significant and reassuring for us. Miracles abound. (NLT). RThomas. We love and serve a God we cannot see.
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