Easter 2 C (April 28): Love in Spite of a Shadow of a Doubt

A newer 2022 version of this post is now available with heaps more resources - see my archive at left

Bible Readings: Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31

About the Images:
Upper Left : A Microsoft free clipart image with my text.
Upper Right:  My photo so please feel free to use it for worship and related activities.
Middle Left: A free clip art from Cerrezo Barredo - see my link column at left.
Middle Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website.  Well worth the subscription!!! Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com.
Lower Left: Free clipart from the Hermano Leon site - see my link column at left.

Listening Song: With Every Breath
By Leigh Nash and Dan Haseltine on the album, City on a Hill (pictured at left) or on the album, WOW 2002. This song links in well with Psalm 150.

Film Clip: John 20:19-31
From The Gospel of John by The Visual Bible Society -an excellent film streets ahead of any other similar film (pictured at right).

Film Clip: Doubting Thomas
From the Work of the People - see my link at left. 




 

Drama: Blessed Are They
By Darryl McCollum and found at www.dramatix,org This drama is based on the gospel reading. 

Drama: The Visit
Found in The Dame Cecily Spume Drama Notebook by Nick Page, Minstral, 1990, ISBN 1854240978, page 105 (pictured at left). This drama is based on the gospel reading.

Illustration: Doubt
Index 1223-4 from Bible Illustrator for Windows Version 1.0d, Parsons Technology Inc., 1990. This goes well with the gospel reading

Discussion Activity:
Give out or project the following four statements:
1. I know Jesus is alive because I can feel in my heart that he loves me. Sometimes Jesus feels very close to me.
2. Jesus' love was too strong to die. When people love each other they show that Jesus' love is still alive in the world.
3. I am not sure what happened when Jesus died. I do know that whatever happens to us when we die, we will always be with God.
4. Jesus died, then God raised him to life again. People saw him and talked to him. Jesus spirit is still present in our world today.

Ask people to choose the statement that best suits what they believe and talk with others who feel the same way. (You may need to specify four areas to meet in). Encourage them to address the following questions in their discussion:

1. Why did you choose this statement - what did you like about it?
2. What would you like to change or add?
3. What difference should this view of the resurrection make to our lives?
4. How can we help each other to do this?

Have the four groups report back when you reassemble as one group.

Discussion Activity:

Divide people into a number of groups and have them discuss the "My Own Story" questions from the Serendipity Bible on John 20: 19-21 (pictured at right).  

Story: John Wesley's Last Words
Found in Rivers in the Desert by Rowland Croucher (Ed.) Albatross, 1991, ISBN 086760137X, page 34 (pictured at left). This goes well with the gospel reading

Story: Christian in Doubting Castle
Found as above, page 35. This also goes well with the gospel reading.

Story: Obedience
Found in Your Point Being? by Graham H. Twelftree, Monarch Books, 2003, ISBN 1854245929, story No. 179 (pictured iat right). This story goes well with the gospel reading.

Prayer:
Say something along the following lines: Think to yourself one way the resurrection of Jesus makes a difference in your life. In the silence, talk to God about how you will realise the difference and make it an obvious part of your life.