My Lord and My God!
Month 11: The Cross & the Empty Tomb · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: John 20:24-31
24 Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 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.
Memory Verse
“He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’””— Luke 24:6-7 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 5-7
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Paul addresses purity, disputes, and honoring God with our bodies.)The Heart of It
Thomas wasn't in the room that first Easter evening. When the others told him, "We have seen the Lord!" he refused to believe it. "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (). Eight days later Jesus came again, through locked doors. He turned straight to Thomas. "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing" (v. 27). Jesus did not shame Thomas. He did not turn him away. He met his honest doubt with His own scarred body. And Thomas, overwhelmed, gave the highest confession in all the Gospels. "My Lord and my God!" (v. 28). He saw the risen, wounded Jesus, and he worshiped Him as God Himself.
Then Jesus spoke a blessing aimed straight at our family table. "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (v. 29). That's us. We did not touch the nail-prints, yet we are invited to the same confession. "My Lord and my God!" And John tells us why he wrote his whole Gospel. "That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (v. 31). This is the goal of everything. The manger, the miracles, the cross, the empty tomb. The goal is that your children would look at the risen Jesus and truly believe, and in believing, have life. Faith is not pretending we have no questions. It is bringing our questions to Jesus and bowing when we meet Him. As you worship together tonight, the same risen Lord who answered Thomas is in the room. He invites each heart to say it and mean it. "My Lord and my God."
Around the Table
Thomas wasn't sure Jesus was alive until he saw Him. Then he was so happy he said, "My Lord and my God!" We didn't see Jesus with our eyes, but we can believe and love Him too.
Let's do it: Say it together with big smiles: "Jesus, You are my Lord and my God!"
Jesus didn't get angry at Thomas for doubting. He gently showed him the proof. Then He said that we are blessed for believing even without seeing.
Let's talk: What is a question about God you have wondered about? It's okay to ask. Let's talk about it together.
Thomas calls Jesus "my Lord and my God," and Jesus accepts it. A mere prophet would refuse worship. But Jesus receives it, because He truly is God. John wrote his whole Gospel for exactly this confession.
Let's go deeper: Jesus blesses "those who have not seen and yet have believed." What is the difference between blind faith and faith based on the word of trustworthy witnesses?
💬 Conversation Starter
When you have a big question or a doubt, who do you take it to?— Thomas brought his doubt right to Jesus. That's exactly where ours belongs too.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says, "Christians just believe without thinking": Answer gently. Thomas was the first doubter, and Jesus did not scold him for wanting evidence. He gave it to him. Faith and honest questions are not enemies. We are told to be "ready to give a defense… with gentleness and respect" (). And like Thomas, the right place to take our doubts is to the risen Jesus, not away from Him.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Notice that Jesus welcomed Thomas's doubt rather than punishing it. That should shape how you handle the questions your children bring you. Doubt spoken out loud is far safer than doubt buried. The child who feels free to ask "How do we know God is real?" at the family table is being discipled. The child who learns that questions make Dad anxious or angry will simply stop asking. He will take those questions to less trustworthy voices later. Be the safe place. You don't need every answer on the spot. "That's a great question. Let's find out together" is a faithful response. And remember John's stated aim (20:31). The whole point is life through belief. Family worship is not about producing kids who can recite facts. It is about kids who, having weighed the witness, fall to their knees with Thomas and say, "My Lord and my God." Pray toward that confession in each of your children. It is the work of the Spirit, and it is the dearest thing you can ask for them.
Draws on: D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Pillar New Testament Commentary).
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that Jesus met Thomas's doubt with kindness. Thank You that He is truly our Lord and our God. We have not seen Him with our eyes, yet we believe. Give each of us real, living faith. Give us the life that comes only through Your Son. In Jesus' name, amen."
Bring your doubts to the risen Jesus, and worship Him: "My Lord and my God!"