Addressing Doubting Thomases in the Classroom

There was a lot of certainty when I grew up in the church: Doubt is a sin. It’s just wrong. To doubt means I’ve lost my faith and need to get saved again.

But being told I was faithless or just needed to have faith never removed my doubts. To doubt is human. We are taught to be doubters in a difficult world full of lies and near-truths. To survive, we need to question and doubt.

So, what does a Sunday school teacher do when a doubter shows up in the classroom (or, when doubt shows up in his or her own mind)?

After his resurrection, Jesus showed Himself to the disciples minus Thomas. When Thomas heard about it, he said, “I doubt that!”

Then Jesus reappeared, this time with Thomas present. But Jesus didn’t rebuke his doubting disciple. Rather, He invited him to an even closer inspection of the Lord’s presence. “Here are the wounds in My hands and feet. Here, place your hand in My lance-pierced side,” Jesus said.

Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God!”

How should you approach doubters in the classroom—and I can almost guarantee you they are there whether they open their mouths or not. Don’t shut them up. Allow them to speak their doubts. Sometimes simply saying something aloud produces amazing results. They hear what they are thinking for the first time and realize they don’t really doubt what they said. Having doubts heard can be such a powerful and affirming experience. “I am heard” often results in “I matter. I have something to contribute.”

Many times, doubts grow out of a personal struggle to understand. Doubts can be frivolous, but they can also be powerful statements about something someone is trying to figure out.

Jesus, Paul and others whose words and actions are recorded in God’s Word are not always easy to understand. Sometimes they ask us to really stretch our minds into uncomfortable shapes and places. Hiding the feelings that result can be damaging.

As a teacher, use language such as this: I wonder why you think or feel that way? What is it about this passage that specifically bothers you? Could you tell us more about that? I wonder if anyone else in the class has the same question?

Doubt is the dark side of hope. But doubt expressed may lead to hope restored.

Jesus didn’t ignore Thomas. He showed up for Thomas. The last time Thomas saw Him, Jesus was dead. Now, suddenly, Thomas is told that Jesus is alive. What did he feel? Anger? Jealousy? Fear? Thomas wasn’t the only doubter here. No one believed Mary when she said the tomb was empty.

What do we take from this? Show up, pay attention, and provide a hospitable space for your students to express and wrestle with their doubts.

Arthur Kelly is a retired educator and college administrator, but still an active learner. He taught at the high school and college levels, recently completing a stint as an adjunct English, religion and humanities professor at Warner Pacific College. He also served 15 years in publishing and editorial work for Warner Press and in the national offices of the Church of God. Arthur is a reader, journaler, coffee drinker, and lover of conversation. He has an eagerness to engage students and others who understand life as a place for continuous learning, following Jesus, and gaining wisdom.