Lesson Overview for ADULTS
Luke 24:13-35 tells of two disciples walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus after Jesus’ crucifixion, deeply saddened by recent events. As they walked, Jesus himself joined them, but they were kept from recognizing Him as He explained the scriptures concerning Himself. When they invited this “stranger” to stay with them and He broke bread, their eyes were opened to recognize Jesus before He vanished from their sight, leaving them to return to Jerusalem with renewed joy to tell the other disciples.
Opening Activity: Walk with Jesus Crafts 10:15-10:30 a.m.
Materials Needed:
The Jesus Walks with Us Sticker Craft and a coloring sheet will be set on the table for the children to complete until it’s time for class to start. This allows all kids and helpers to get into the room.
Bible Verse Game (10:30-10:40 a.m.)
Game: “Find Your Emmaus Friend”
Materials needed:
- Bread-shaped paper cutouts (two matching pieces per pair of children)
- Upbeat walking music (play CD in the CD player – any song)
How to play:
- Give each child one bread cutout ask them to keep it hidden in their hand.
Note: Use matches. One child gets one half, the other child gets the other half. - Explain: “In our Bible story today, friends were walking together to Emmaus when Jesus joined them. Let’s pretend we’re all walking to Emmaus!”
- Play the music and have children walk around the classroom space, pretending they’re on a journey.
- When the music stops, say: “Jesus revealed himself when he broke bread! Find the friend who has the matching bread piece to yours!”
- Children must find the classmate with the matching bread piece to form pairs.
- Once pairs are formed, they can sit down.
Song and Movement (10:40-10:50 a.m.)
Walking with Jesus Song
Click here to play the song on your phone for the kids.
I usually do the song with them 3 times. The first time we just listen to it. The second time we sing it. The third time we try it with motions. This will be their first time hear this song.
Note: Sometimes I just play the song several times at various points throughout the lesson. For example, I will play it once between 10:15-10:30 and let them know we are learning our new song. If they’re still coloring and working on the craft, instead of stopping, I will say, “Let’s play our song again” as they’re coloring and doing opening craft. And then we will do it again after the bible lesson.
Bible Lesson (10:50-11:00 a.m.)
The Road to Emmaus
After Jesus died on the cross and rose again, something happened that I want to tell you about.
Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking along a road to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. They were feeling very sad and confused.
As they walked and talked, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. But they were kept from recognizing Him – their eyes couldn’t see who He really was.
Jesus asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
They told Him about Jesus of Nazareth, how He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. They explained how the chief priests and rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death and crucified Him. “We had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel,” they said. They also told Him that some women had gone to the tomb early that morning but didn’t find His body. The women saw angels who said Jesus was alive!
Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.
As they approached Emmaus, Jesus continued as if He were going farther. But they urged Him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.
When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him – it was Jesus! And at that moment, He disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem, even though it was evening. There they found the Eleven disciples and those with them, gathered together. The disciples were saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way to Emmaus, and how they recognized Jesus when He broke the bread.
And that’s how Jesus showed Himself to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus is alive, and sometimes He comes to us in ways we might not expect. Even when we can’t see Him with our eyes, Jesus is still with us.
You know what’s wonderful? We can walk with Jesus every day too, just like those disciples did on the road to Emmaus. Jesus is alive, and He wants to walk with each one of us on our journey through life.
[Teacher note: After sharing the story, ask the children: “How do you think the disciples felt when they realized it was Jesus? Why couldn’t they recognize Jesus at first? Why do you think recognizing Jesus made them want to tell others right away?
Then lead into a discussion by asking: “How can we walk with Jesus every day? What are some ways we can spend time with Jesus?” Should we tell other people about Jesus?]
Bible Story Spin Wheel Craft (11:00-11:15 a.m.)
Items Needed
- Spin Wheel Craft
- Brad Fasteners
- Scissors
- Crayons
Print the wheel template on cardstock, then color all the images on each segment. Cut out the entire circle carefully along the outer edge. Place a brad fastener through the center of the wheel to allow it to spin. As you turn the wheel, tell the story: After Jesus died on the cross, two disciples walked to Emmaus. They were very sad because they thought Jesus was gone forever. Jesus came and walked with them, but their eyes couldn’t see who He was. Jesus explained Bible stories about Himself. When they reached Emmaus, the disciples said, “Please stay with us!” So Jesus went inside to eat dinner with them. When Jesus broke the bread and blessed it, their eyes were opened! They saw it was Jesus! Then Jesus disappeared from their sight!