Week 49 · about 45 minutes
A Stranger on the Road
Luke 24:13–35 · Memory verse Luke 24:32
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Queues the lesson plan, a coloring page from this part of the Bible (The Stone Rolled Away), the matching word search and answer key (He Is Risen), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a walking stick or a ruler
Hold up a walking stick or a ruler. In about five minutes, tell the class this: Two sad friends walk to Emmaus, and Jesus explains the Scriptures before they recognize him at dinner. Show the prop and ask, “What does this have to do with A Stranger on the Road?” Let two children answer. Then read Luke 24:32 together: “They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”” Close by asking one child to say the lesson back in their own words, using the prop.
Story script
That same day, two of Jesus’ followers walked to a village called Emmaus, talking about everything that had happened. Jesus himself came up and walked with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked what they were discussing. They stopped, sad. “Are you the only visitor who does not know what happened?” They told him about Jesus, the cross, and the confusing report that the tomb was empty.
Jesus said, “How slow you are to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained what the Scriptures said about himself. Their sadness had company, and their Bible had a center.
They urged him to stay for supper. When he was at the table, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened. They recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures?” They got up at once and went back to Jerusalem to tell the others.
Jesus still walks with confused people and opens the Bible so hearts warm up. If a day left you sad and mixed up, invite him to the table. Recognition often comes while he is speaking.
Group game
Two children walk sadly. A third joins and explains that Jesus had to suffer and rise. At the table they suddenly recognize him.
Craft
Draw a road, three walkers, and a broken loaf of bread.
Memory verse
Luke 24:32
“They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?””
Take-home prayer
Jesus, walk with us when we are confused. Open the Scriptures and warm our hearts with the truth about you. Amen.