The Road to Emmaus

“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” Luke 24:31 (NIV)

SAY: Today we are going to discover our Bible memory verse by trying to see it through pretend binoculars. You need to look for a picture of eyes, a picture of Jesus, and a picture of glasses.

Show kids how to make pretend binoculars out of their hands shaped like circles. Then have them find the eyes, the picture of Jesus, and the picture of glasses. Once they have all found all three, hold each of the three pictures up.

SAY: These eyes remind us that Jesus’ friends’ eyes were opened. And who opened them? Jesus! But then He disappeared from their sight. (Then have children repeat after you as you hold up the pictures for each phrase.)

• Then their eyes were opened (eyes)
• And they recognized him. (Jesus)
• And he disappeared from their sight. (glasses)

Have kids practice saying the Bible memory verse many times.

You’ll Need: Two kids to play the men on the road, One child to play Jesus, The rest of the class will be the disciples and the sound effects
 

Get Ready:
Cut apart the handout, and tape the pictures around the room.

Explain that as you read today’s Bible lesson, the actors will act out the story as it unfolds. The rest of the class will make sound effects for the story and be the disciples in the end.

Read the following from your open Bible.

SAY: Today we are reading from Luke 24 about an interesting conversation on the road to Emmaus.

Now that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

(Actors walk toward one another and begin to talk.)

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

(Jesus actor repeats that line.)

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

(The kids playing the men on the road look sad as they discuss with Jesus.)

“What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.

(The rest of the class make crying sound effects and then stop.)

But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning  but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

(The rest of the class says, “Oh my!”)

He 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.

(The rest of the class make walking sound effects.)

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on 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.

(The rest of the class asks, “What’s for dinner?”)

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, and 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?”

(The rest of the class makes running sound effects.)

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

ASK:

• What do you think about what happened?
• What would it have been like to be there when Jesus appeared to them?

SAY: Jesus proved He had risen when He revealed Himself to the men on the road. What an amazing encounter! The lives of those men were never the same.

Jesus still meets with us today. Not on a dirt road after He raised from the dead, but we see Him in scripture and He can change our lives today. Once we realize that we are sinners and our eyes are opened to Jesus alone being our Savior, we too will never be the same.

Eye Spy Snacks

You’ll Need:
On the Road Snacks How-to Video, Graham Crackers— one per child, Gummy bears—three per child, Green icing Chocolate icing, Plastic knives, Paper plates

Have kids follow these steps to make an On the Road Snack.

• Spread the chocolate icing down the middle of the graham cracker to make the road.
• Spread green icing along the sides of the cracker to make the grass along the road.
• Stick three gummy bears in the middle of the road to represent Jesus and the two men on the road.
• Enjoy.

See the Love Game

Select two kids to represent the men on the road to Emmaus. Ask them to step into the hall with a volunteer.

While these kids are out in the hall, select a child in the class to be “Jesus.” Jesus’ job will be to very discreetly wink as others in the class mingle around the room.

Bring the two players back in the room and explain these rules to everyone.

• All the kids will move around the room.
• “Jesus” will discreetly wink at kids.
• When a player gets winked at, they cross their hands across their chest representing they have received love.
• The two players representing the men on the road try to guess who Jesus is.
• Once they guess, select new players for the roles and play several rounds.

After the game, SAY: In this game, you had to look very carefully to see who was playing the part of Jesus. While we don’t walk with the physical Jesus today, we can still see Him at work around us and in our lives and the lives of others. How have you seen Jesus’ love lately?

Eye Seeing Chart

You’ll Need: “Eye Seeing Chart”, handout, Crayons

Give each kid some crayons as they color in each line of their “Eye Seeing Chart.” As kids color each line, repeat for them the words that they’re coloring.

Afterward, SAY: As you take your “Eye Seeing Chart” home, place it somewhere in your room or house. When you are worried or afraid, take time to read the chart aloud to remind you that you can put your trust in Jesus.

Thank You Prayer

SAY: Today we’re going to make some glasses. We will first decorate the outside of the glasses.

Have kids decorate their glasses. Then have children put on their glasses for prayer time.

PRAY: Dear God, we want and need to see You, Jesus. Give us eyes to see You at work in our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.