Play a game of mini blind man’s buff.

Mark out an area approximately 3-4 square metres. A blindfolded volunteer is ‘on’ and two others try and hide. Start a 60-second countdown and see if they can avoid capture. If the blindfolded person tries to leave the marked area, tell them to stop and turn around.

Give everyone a pen and paper. Read John 20.19-31 twice, and ask them to write down any questions that occur to them – nothing is too silly! Discuss all the questions at the end.

• Is a question the same thing as a doubt?
• Have you ever believed something without seeing it for yourself? Why?
• Why do you think Jesus repeats his greeting, ‘Peace be with you’?

Beforehand, devise a list of questions about God, e.g. If God created the universe, who created God? What proof is there of God’s existence? Why is there so much evil in the world? Why does a loving God allow suffering? Write the questions out, cut them up and lay them on the floor. Ask the group to select one at a time and share possible answers.

• The risen Jesus greeted his disciples with ‘Shalom’. The word means much more than peace: it represents harmony, wholeness, prosperity and tranquillity.
• Find out about the work of the Sycamore Tree restorative justice programme, which helps prisoners meet victims of crime and make amends for what they have done.
• Discuss the idea behind the course. How might the young people be peacemakers in their own community?