Children
Children Activities for 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year C)
Curated children’s ministry resources and sermons (object lessons) for Sunday Readings from SermonWriter, Ministry-to-Children, Religion Teacher and other sources.
Divine Mercy Sunday
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RENNA MUSIC (5:40) – Instructions for hand motions that go with “Divine Mercy Chaplet (Original Version)” from the new CD “Kids Sing Divine Mercy” by The Rennas
The Loving Mercy of Jesus
YOUNG CATHOLICS
The readings for Divine Mercy Sunday tell of Jesus Christ’s incredible love for us and his willingness to display his care for us. The first reading tells of how God works wonders through his children. The second reading tells of how God revealed his mysteries to us. And in the gospel we learn of how Jesus lovingly convinced Thomas that he was truly risen.
MAIN THEMES
- The loving mercy of Jesus
- Letting go of our doubts
- The mysteries of God
- Revealing the identity of Jesus
FEATURED RESOURCES
SOURCE: Young Catholics: Catholic Youth Ministry, Vacation Bible School (VBS), Catholic Religious Ed, Catechist, Parish School of Religion (PSR), CCD, and Catholic Family Resources
Today’s Symbol is a Hand
Catholic CHILDREN’S LITURGY
SOURCE: Catholic Children’s Liturgy Program Plans (Used worldwide since 2000)
PDF Handouts for Children
Society of Christian Doctrine (SDC)
S.D.C. is a Catholic Society in the United Kingdom that works in the field of Catechesis and the spreading of the Word of God in different ways. Its website provides catechists and teachers with free resources that can be used in different situations to help passing on the faith to others.
Click on image to view full page
Catholic Kids Bulletin
SOURCE: The Kids’ Bulletin: A fun way for Catholic kids to learn about the Faith every week.
SUNDAY WORDSEARCH
SOURCE: Diocese of Salford Office for Liturgy
Liturgical Activities
THE LITURGY CENTRE
SOURCE: the Liturgy Centre, Catholic Diocese of Auckland. Click to download PDF
Family Activities
OUR SUNDAY VISITOR
Easter is a time to celebrate new life. Plan an Easter egg hunt for all ages of the family. Fill plastic eggs with candy and put slips of paper containing uplifting Bible verses in some of the eggs. Have anyone who finds an egg with a Bible verse open it up and share what is written on the slip of paper.- Decorate an Easter candle to reflect the resurrection of Jesus. Let everyone contribute in some way. Use the candle as a table centerpiece and light it every evening during the Easter Season.
- Make Easter bread together as a family. Before placing the bread in the oven, thank God for sending Jesus and for all of the blessings bestowed on your family.
- Color Easter eggs as a family and discuss their meaning. Point out that an egg is hard like a tomb but it also gives new life. As the activity is in process, discuss what is new in your life.
SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor: Lifelong Catechesis
How to Overcome Fear
Word Sunday
The first reaction of the disciples to appearance of Jesus was fear, not joy. After all, they hid because they were afraid of the authorities. Out of fear, Thomas became cynical at the reports of the Risen One. Yet, even their fear led to faith.
Have you ever hid because you were afraid? What happened? Discuss these questions with your family. Then share John 20:19-31. How did Jesus help them to overcome their fear? How can he help us? End the discussion with a prayer and a sign of peace.
SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com All materials found in word-sunday.com are the property of Larry Broding (©1999-2021). Viewers may copy any material found in these pages for their personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain.
Divine Mercy Lesson Plan and Activities
THE RELIGION TEACHER
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Resources for Catholic Educators
Home Page
Lesson Plans
Religious Education
Teaching Tools
Religious Art
Christian Clip Art
Scripture Clip Art
Christology
Saints
Angels
Famous Catholics
Bible
Church Documents
Reference Tools
Theology
Sacraments
Liturgy
Prayer
Liturgical Seasons
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Social Justice
Beatitudes
Commandments
Articles
Science & Faith
The Media
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Browse by Topics
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Catholic
Activities for Toddlers
THE CATHOLIC MONTESSORI WAY (8:14) – Six Divine Mercy Montessori activities that you can do with your toddlers and preschoolers in your Catholic home!
Book and Art Project
PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH (19:25)
Interdenominational
Use your own judgment when including and adapting these lessons in your children’s ministry.
Very Clever!
KIDSWISE (3:45) – Kidswise presents a story stick story of Jesus’ appearances post his resurrection. Firstly to ten of his disciples and then to Thomas, who doubts his resurrection (John 20).
5W’s Bible Study
TICIA M (1:44) – Teaching kids how to study the Bible with the 5W’s Doubting Thomas
Three Crafts for This Week
MINISTRY TO CHILDREN (14:52) – In these crafts, consider the story of Thomas and the importance of having faith, even when we can’t see God physically. “Seeing is not believing glasses” remind children to trust with their hearts. An “evidence bag” includes a Bible bookmark and cross as reminders of our assurance that our faith is true. And a “saved by grace” door handle recounts the story and recalls the importance of Christ’s sacrifice.
Dollar Store Children Sermon
DOLLAR STORE CHILDREN’S SERMONS (5:24) -This video is presented by John Stevens, a Lutheran (ECLA) pastor.
Text: John 20:19-31
Dollar Store Item: Easter Egg, and Super Hero Mini Figure.
Take Away: We have been given new life! Our tombs have been opened!
LOYOLA
PRESS
LOYOLA PRESS
Jesus calls the Apostle Thomas to faith in him
Making the Connection
1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Grades 1-3
Help younger children understand that the gift of peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit have been given to us. When we have these gifts, we can be people who forgive others as Jesus has taught us to do.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Making the Connection
4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣
Grades 4-6
Some things just seem to go together. From this experience, we can help older children identify the gifts from Jesus given to us at Baptism that sustain us as his disciples: forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit, and peace.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Making the Connection
7️⃣8️⃣
Grades 7 and 8
Young people are growing in their awareness that they are called to be witnesses to Christ. We can help them identify the gifts from Jesus given to us at Baptism that help us be witnesses to Christ: forgiveness of our sins, the Holy Spirit, and peace.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Lectionary Resources
Catechist Background and Preparation
Primary Session
Intermediate Session
Junior High School
Catholic Doctrine
“Blessed are those who have not seen, but have believed.”
PRIMARY SESSION – Faith comes from hearing the good news about Jesus Christ from believers. The Holy Spirit helps give the words to those who tell us the good news, and the Holy Spirit opens our ears to listen. Many believers struggle with their faith at times. When we experience bad things in this world we may question our belief. In times of doubt, we can turn to the Church for support.
SOURCE: LECTIONARY RESOURCES (RCL Benzinger) – All Rights Reserved
Catholic
CATHOLIC KIDS MEDIA (7:34) – Doubting Thomas and Divine Mercy (2022)
CATHOLIC KIDS BULLETIN
Teacher and mom, THERESA, creates Kids’ Bulletins, a resource for Catholic kids about the readings for Sunday’s Mass every week. More resources.
Interdenominational
Use your own judgment when including and adapting these lessons in your children’s ministry.
OTCC KIDS (5:04) – Children’s Message | Doubting Thomas
SERMONS 4 KIDS – GOSPEL
ID Please!
Objects suggested: Driver’s license or other photo ID card
EXCERPT: Does anyone ever ask you for identification? It happens to me all the time. When I go into a store to buy something and I want to pay for it with a check, the cashier takes my check and then asks, “May I see your driver’s license please?” Why does the cashier need to see my driver’s license? The answer is quite simple. The cashier wants to see if I match the picture on the driver’s license. Am I really who I claim to be?
There may be other times when you will be asked for identification. You may need a picture ID to get a library card. You might even need a picture ID to sign up for youth soccer. Many schools are now requiring students and teachers to wear a picture ID at school. Almost every day we are asked to prove that we are who we say we are.
On the Sunday that Jesus rose from the grave, he appeared to a group of his disciples. One of the disciples, whose name was Thomas, was not with them. When the disciples told Thomas that they had seen Jesus and that he was alive, Thomas said, “I won’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes. I want to see the nail-prints in his hands and put my hand in the place where the spear was thrust into his side.”
Coloring Page › Maze › Group Activities › Fill in the Blank › Word Search › Crossword › Jumble
SOURCE: SERMONS 4 Kids – All Rights Reserved; Click on title to read entire sermon.
SERMON WRITER – Gospel READING
Doubting Thomas
Objects: None.
EXCERPT: Do you know what people today call Thomas? He was one of Jesus’ disciples but today people call him “Doubting Thomas.” On the first Easter day, the day God made Jesus alive again, the disciples got to see Jesus and talk with him. But Thomas had not been there that day. So when Thomas came back to the other disciples, they told him, “Jesus is alive again! We saw him.” How do you think the disciples said that? Did they have slow, sad voices: [use a slow, draggy voice]“Jesus is alive again. We saw him”? How do you think they sounded when they told Thomas? Who can say “Jesus is alive again. We saw him” like the disciples might have sounded. [let as many children as would like to demonstrate with excited voices].
Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Click on title to read entire sermon.
SERMON WRITER – Gospel READING
What We Cannot See
Objects: A Fragrant Rose
EXCERPT: Can you think of things you can’t see, but you know them to be true? The first thing that may come to mind is the wind. We can’t see the wind, but we believe the wind is real because we can see it rustle through the grass, move the leaves on trees, and feel the breeze on our cheeks.
Think about the fragrance of a rose. That is something we cannot see, but when we put our nose into the flower and sniff we are certainly aware that the wonderful scent is real.
How about love? You can’t actually see love; you can only see the results of love. Think about the people who love you and what comes from their love. Your mom and dad care for you everyday and provide what you need so that you will be happy and safe. Love feels like a very real thing, doesn’t it, even though we can’t see it?
Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Click on title to read entire sermon.
MARKKULA CENTER
Virtue of the Week
Mercy
FIRST READING
On this Second Sunday of Easter, now commonly referred to as Divine Mercy Sunday, we hear this reading about the extraordinary mercy of God. Peter and the other disciples, formerly crippled by their fear, have now found great strength in the resurrected Christ and fearlessly preach and heal in his name. This mercy, as emphasized by Pope Francis, is to be the dominant mark of what it means to be the Church of Jesus Christ in the world today.
SECOND READING
The Book of Revelation is often referred to as apocalyptic literature and is distinct in its imagery and mystery. Saint John writes to others who are caught in the distress. He himself has been exiled to an island but is not saddened by this, for he experiences the mercy of God. In a vision, John is told to write down, therefore, what you have seen, and what is happening, and what will happen afterwards. These words of hope reveal the unending mercy that God wishes to bestow upon the human race through the person of Jesus Christ.
GOSPEL
The setting for this passage finds the apostles clinging to one another out of fear and hiding because they have lost their anchor (Jesus). When Jesus appears to them, he greets them with mercy: Peace by with you. As the story progresses, Jesus says another merciful phrase and gives the apostles the command to be elements of forgiveness in the world. The Church is called to continue extending this mercy today.
SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University; “Build. Plant. Grow.” = a free faith formation resource which aligns with the Liturgical Year of the Roman Catholic Church. The accompanying video is NOT associated with Markkula Center.
WORSHIPING WITH CHILDREN
Lectionary Notes by Carolyn C. Brown
We Must Not Label Thomas a Doubter
The story of Thomas is important to children who already ask lots of questions about everything and to those who will ask deep questions as they get older. If we want to encourage children to ask their questions, we must not label Thomas a doubter. No amount of explaining can make doubter into a positive adjective – especially in this story. So describe Thomas as a curious person who wanted to see for himself what others had already seen. Recall what it is like when everyone is talking about an exciting event that you were not at. Insist that Jesus welcomed Thomas’ questions and ours. There is no honest question God/Jesus cannot handle.
Questions Sunday
To celebrate Thomas’ questions turn this into Questions Sunday. Collect questions about the Easter stories and God from the whole congregation. Take them verbally or invite people to write them on pieces of paper to put in the offering plate. Today read through the questions. Celebrate them. Elaborate on them adding related questions. Even, ask for clarification on questions you do not understand. Do NOT answer any of them – even if you can. Instead promise to deal with them during the coming weeks. If there is high interest in this, you might even print the questions in the newsletter or on the website. As you work through the Easter season, point to the question/s that you are working with at any given point.
SOURCE: Worshiping with Children: A blog by Carolyn C. Brown, a Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).
ST THOMAS LUTHERAN CHURCH (2:46) – Doubting Thomas found on page 492 of the Spark Story Bible (2015)
Word-Sunday
The Perfect Day
Children’s Readings
Opening Question: If you could plan the perfect day, what would it be like? What would you do? Who would be with you? Where would you go? What would the weather be like?
In the story for the first reading, James shared a field trip experience with his class mates. They became united in their excitement and their stories of the field trip. In a small way, this was like the excitement and purpose the early Christians felt united in faith.
As the experience at the museum brought everyone on the bus together, the experience of Jesus alive brought his followers together. They shared, and prayed, and lived together. They wanted everyone to join them, so all people could be with Jesus.
Bridging Question: Have you ever enjoyed an early Spring morning? What happened?
In the story for the gospel, Taya enjoyed the perfect morning, despite her brother’s grumpiness. She felt at peace and full of energy, just like the followers of Jesus must have felt when Jesus first appeared to them.
Jesus came to his followers and breathed the Holy Spirit upon them. Like the cool breathe that gave Taya goose bumps down her arms, the Spirit that the followers breathed in felt like new life. The Spirit would bring the followers of Jesus together in love, like the hugs Taya’s dad gave her. And no one, not even someone as grumpy as Thomas or Brandon, could get in the way.
Like Taya’s family, we can live together in a peace that is better than fear or fighting. Jesus gave it to his followers, and he gives it to us. We know we have his peace because we have his Spirit.
Closing Question: How can you enjoy this day? How can you spread your joy to others?
SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com; Used with permission.
Interdenominational
Use your own judgment when including and adapting these lessons in your children’s ministry.
SHAREFAITH KIDS (3:45)
BIBLE BLOCKS (2:01) – This video is about doubting Thomas, the disciple who said he wouldn’t believe Jesus was alive unless he put his finger in the nail holes and his hand in Jesus side.
SUPERBOOK EPISODES (2:41) – Dubious Thomas
