Divine Mercy Trust And Doubt Lesson Plan

Trust Toss Confessions

This game helps everyone loosen up and laugh before getting serious. You will need a soft ball or rolled-up sock, sticky notes, and markers. Before youth arrive, write silly, low-risk prompts on the back sticky notes, so that when the note is stuck to a surface, the prompt is not visible. Examples include “something you lost this week,” “a food you dislike,” or “a small mistake you made.” Stick the notes on a wall or table, face down.

Have youth stand in a circle. One person tosses the ball to someone else. The person who catches it picks a sticky note and reads it out loud, then gives a short answer. Keep it fast and light. No long stories. After answering, they toss the ball to someone new. Play for about five to seven minutes. Stop while energy is still high.

If things get messy or silly, that is fine. Laughter helps lower walls. If a youth seems uncomfortable, let them pass or switch notes. Keep the tone fun and supportive. The goal is shared laughter, not pressure.

Follow-Up Questions For The Group

• What made this game easy or hard?
• How did it feel to share something small in front of others?
• Did anyone worry about what they might get before picking a note?

You may not have thought much about it, but this game asked you to trust the group a little. You did not know what note you would get. You trusted that it would be safe enough to share. That kind of trust feels small, but it matters.

Sometimes life feels like that too. You do not always know what is coming next. You might worry about being judged or misunderstood. You might want to hide parts of yourself. The disciples felt that way after Jesus died. They locked the doors because they were afraid.

As we listen to today’s Gospel, pay attention to fear, trust, and mercy. Notice how Jesus shows up when people are unsure. Think about how doubt and trust both show up in your own life. Let’s hear the story and then talk about it together.

John 20:19-31 (Jesus Helps Thomas Believe) – the Gospel Reading for the Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy) – Years A, B, and C

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them.

Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Let’s talk about the Gospel reading for Divine Mercy Sunday from Gospel of John 20:19–31. The disciples are scared. They are locked in a room. They are worried about what might happen next. This feeling may sound familiar. You might feel unsure about school, friends, family problems, or the future. Fear can make us shut down. It can make us pull away. Jesus shows up right in the middle of that fear.

When Jesus appears, the first thing He says is, “Peace be with you.” He does not yell. He does not scold them for running away earlier. He brings peace. This matters for your life too. When you mess up, or when you feel far from God, Jesus does not come looking to punish you. He comes with mercy. Divine Mercy reminds us that Jesus meets us where we are, even when we are not proud of ourselves.

Then Jesus shows them His wounds. He does not hide them. His wounds are proof of His love. Think about times when you have been hurt by others, or when you hurt someone else. Wounds can stay with us. Jesus shows that His wounds are part of the story. They become a sign of mercy. God can take painful moments in your life and use them for good, even if it takes time to see it.

Jesus then gives the disciples a mission. He sends them out and gives them the power to forgive sins. Mercy is not meant to stop with Jesus. It is meant to flow through His followers. This can feel hard. Forgiving someone who hurt you is not easy. Being kind to someone who annoys you can feel impossible. But mercy often starts small, with simple choices you can make each day.

Thomas enters the story next. He was not there when Jesus first appeared. He doubts. He wants proof. Many teens understand this. You may wonder if God is real. You may question prayer. You may feel unsure about Church teachings. Doubt does not mean you are a bad Christian. Thomas stayed with the community. He kept showing up. That matters. Jesus does not push him away for doubting.

When Jesus appears again, He invites Thomas to touch His wounds. Jesus meets Thomas right in his doubt. This shows us that God is not afraid of your questions. You can bring them to prayer. You can talk about them with trusted adults. Divine Mercy reminds us that trust grows over time. It often grows through honesty, not pretending everything is fine.

Jesus then says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” This speaks to trust. Trust does not mean you never struggle. It means choosing to lean toward God even when things feel unclear. You may trust God when you pray before a test, when you ask for help with anxiety, or when you try to make a good choice while your friends pressure you otherwise.

Divine Mercy Sunday invites us to trust Jesus and to live mercy. During the Easter season, look for small acts of mercy you can do. Sit with someone who feels left out. Help at home without being asked. Forgive someone instead of holding a grudge. Pray for someone who annoys you. These actions may seem small, but they reflect the heart of Jesus.

As you move through Easter, remember this message. Jesus comes to you with peace. He understands fear. He meets doubt with patience. He offers mercy again and again. Trust does not mean having all the answers. It means choosing to open the door when Jesus knocks. Like the disciples, let Him step into your life and slowly change how you live and love.

Before breaking into small groups, remind youth that this is a space for respect and trust. Sharing is always a choice. No one has to speak if they are not ready. Encourage listening without interrupting or judging. Let youth know that doubts and questions are welcome. The goal is not to have perfect answers, but to learn from one another and grow together in faith.

• When have you felt afraid or unsure, like the disciples hiding in the locked room?
• What are some things in your life right now that make it hard to trust God?
• How do you usually react when you make a mistake or mess up?
• Why do you think Jesus showed His wounds to the disciples instead of hiding them?
• Can you relate to Thomas and his doubts? Why or why not?
• Who is someone you trust enough to talk to when you have questions about faith?
• What does mercy look like in your school, family, or friend group?
• What is one small act of mercy you could do this week during the Easter season?
• How can trusting Jesus change the way you treat others when you are upset or stressed?
• What part of the Divine Mercy message feels most meaningful to you right now?

For this week, try to live the message of trust and mercy in simple ways. Start by paying attention to moments when you feel stressed, angry, or unsure. When that happens, pause and say a short prayer asking Jesus for peace. You can say it quietly in your head at school or at home. Trust grows when you invite Jesus into real moments, not just church moments.

Choose one small act of mercy to do each day. Sit with someone who seems alone at lunch. Help out at home without being asked. Let go of a small grudge instead of replaying it in your mind. You can also check in on a friend who is having a hard time. These choices may feel small, but they help you practice mercy and live out what Divine Mercy Sunday teaches us.

Let us take a moment to quiet our hearts. Put your feet on the floor and take a slow breath. Let go of distractions. Jesus, we come to You as we are. You know our fears, our doubts, and our worries. We thank You for coming to us with peace, even when we feel unsure or afraid.

Jesus, help us learn to trust You more. When we struggle or feel confused, remind us that You are patient and kind. Help us believe in Your mercy, especially when we make mistakes. Teach us to turn to You instead of hiding or giving up.

Lord, show us how to live mercy this week. Help us notice people who need kindness. Give us the courage to forgive, to help, and to care. Let our words and actions reflect Your love. We place our trust in You and ask You to guide us each day. Amen.

Themes

• Trust In Jesus: Catholic teaching calls us to place our trust in Christ. This lesson plan helps youth see trust as a daily choice. It shows that Jesus offers peace even in fear.
• Mercy From God: The Church teaches that God’s mercy is always available. Youth learn that mistakes do not end their relationship with God. Mercy is shown as patient and forgiving.
• Forgiveness Of Others: Catholics are called to forgive as they are forgiven. This lesson plan helps youth see forgiveness as a process. It connects mercy to real life relationships.
• Doubt And Faith: Catholic teaching allows room for questions. Youth see that doubt can exist alongside belief. Faith grows through honesty and prayer.
• Peace In Fear: Jesus brings peace to troubled hearts. This lesson plan shows how fear can block trust. It reminds youth that Christ enters moments of anxiety.
• Community Of Believers: The Church is a place to belong. Youth learn that staying connected matters during doubt. Faith is supported by community.
• Mission To Serve: Catholics are sent to live the Gospel. This lesson plan encourages small acts of mercy. Service becomes part of daily life.
• Healing Through Mercy: God’s mercy brings healing. Youth see that wounds can be part of growth. Healing takes time and patience.
• Jesus Meets Us: Catholic faith teaches that God comes close. This lesson plan shows Jesus meeting people where they are. No one is turned away.
• Easter Season Living: Easter calls Catholics to new life. Youth learn that the season continues beyond one Sunday. Mercy is lived out week by week.
• Honest Prayer Life: Prayer includes doubts and struggles. Youth are encouraged to speak honestly with God. Trust grows through real prayer.

Background Material

This lesson plan is rooted in core Catholic teaching about trust, mercy, and faith that grows over time. The main Scripture for the lesson comes from the Gospel of John 20:19–31. In this passage, the risen Jesus meets His disciples while they are afraid and unsure. He brings peace, shows His wounds, and offers mercy. This reflects the Church’s teaching that Jesus seeks out people in their weakness, not only when they feel strong in faith.

The Catholic Church teaches that trust in God is central to the Christian life. Trust does not mean life is easy or free from struggle. It means turning toward God even when fear or doubt is present. The disciples hid behind locked doors, yet Jesus still came to them. This helps youth see that fear does not block God’s love. God enters those moments and offers peace.

Mercy is another key part of Catholic teaching. Mercy flows from God’s love and is offered again and again. The Church teaches that God never tires of forgiving. This lesson plan reflects that belief by showing how Jesus responds with patience instead of anger. The wounds of Jesus are not hidden. They become signs of love and forgiveness. This connects well to Divine Mercy Sunday, which reminds Catholics that mercy is always available.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks clearly about mercy and trust. It says, “There is no offense, however serious, that the Church cannot forgive” (CCC 982). This quote helps leaders explain that no mistake is too big for God’s mercy. Youth often carry guilt or shame. This teaching reassures them that forgiveness is real and lasting.

Doubt is also addressed within Catholic tradition. Thomas doubts the resurrection and asks for proof. Jesus does not reject him. Instead, He meets Thomas where he is. The Church teaches that faith is a journey. Questions and struggles are part of growing closer to God. This lesson plan reflects that by allowing youth to name doubts without fear. Honest questions can lead to deeper trust.

Catholic teaching also stresses the importance of community. The disciples were together when Jesus appeared. Thomas stayed connected to them, even in doubt. This shows youth that staying part of the Church matters, especially during hard times. Faith grows through shared prayer, discussion, and support.

Finally, the lesson plan reflects the Catholic call to live mercy in daily life. Jesus sends the disciples out to forgive and serve. The Church teaches that faith should shape how we treat others. Small acts of mercy, kindness, and forgiveness are ways Catholics live out the Gospel. During the Easter season, this lesson plan helps youth connect belief with action and see how Divine Mercy can shape everyday choices.

Music Suggestions

• The Jesus Song by Tom Booth
• Chaplet of Divine Mercy by Steve Angrisano & Sarah Hart
• Mercy by Lorraine Hess