Meeting Jesus on the Road - The Walk to Emmaus:

Old Art Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Egg shell mosaic crosses.

Workshop Objectives:

• To understand that we celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
• To know that Jesus appeared to his followers after his crucifixion. They didn’t always recognize him immediately but once they did, this helped them understand and believe the resurrection.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture for this lesson.
• Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
• Prepare an opening and/or closing prayer in case you need one.
• Gather the materials.

Supplies List:

• Bibles
• Clean, white eggshells that have been dyed various colors (using Easter egg dyes). Break eggshells into pieces. Store eggshells in zip bags. [Note: works best if all membrane has been removed from the eggs before dying them.]
• White glue (such as Elmer’s)
• Small paintbrushes
• Toothpicks (to position egg shell pieces)
• Clean meat trays to hold supplies
• Card stock or other heavy paper (enough for one each)

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Introduce yourself. Pass around the attendance…etc. Open class with prayer if you desire—ask first for prayer requests then ask if someone else would like to lead the group in prayer. Be prepared to say a prayer yourself, working in prayer requests.

Dig:

Ask: Why is it important that the tomb was found to be empty on Easter morning? (it means Jesus is no longer dead but is risen and alive)
Do you remember who first went to the tomb on the first Easter morning? (a group of women. In case the kids are interested it is generally believed they included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James & other women - Luke 24:10)
What did they find? (they found an empty tomb, an angel who told them that Jesus had risen, and the answer really looking for: they met Jesus.)
Say: These women who went to the tomb actually saw the risen Christ. They actually saw Jesus! He had been killed but now he was alive! In fact during the 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared several times to his disciples. They had meals with him and talked to him. Today our story is about two people who also met the risen Christ. Let’s read our story.

Help the kids find Luke, chapter 24, verses 13 to 35. (Encourage kids to bring their own Bibles!) To maximize art time you should read the story. It is still very important though, for the kids to find the place in their Bible, and follow along. In week 2 and 3 you might try asking them to tell you the story. Or you might start reading and then ask—what happened next?

Say: So Jesus appeared to these two disciples. Did they recognize him right away? (no) When was it that they recognized him? (when he broke bread) What other Bible story have we learned about that included breaking bread? (the Last Supper where Jesus taught his disciples to break bread as a way to remember Jesus)
How did the disciples feel after they’d seen the risen Christ? (amazed, excited, happy)
These two disciples that had walked the seven miles to Emmaus were so excited that they went all the way back to Jerusalem even though it was now night time. They couldn’t wait to tell the other disciples. Jesus was alive.

Ask: How do you feel knowing that Jesus is alive? (accept all answers) At Easter time every year we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. But this is something we can celebrate everyday. To help remind us of the joy we feel because of Easter, let’s make egg shell mosaic crosses.

Directions for art project:
Give everyone a piece of the card stock paper. Have them write their name on the back. Pass out the other supplies. Show them how to use the paintbrush to apply glue to a small area of the cross and then glue on eggshell pieces. Use a toothpick to move shells to desired location on the cross. Allow to dry completely before handling.

Additional discussion while kids work:
Say: It’s not very nice to think about, but the cross was actually an awful death for Jesus. Crucifixion was a cruel form of punishment. It often took 2 to 4 days for a person to die. Jesus died much quicker than usual, in less than a day. In the early Church, the cross was not used at all as a symbol, because it was such a gruesome reminder of the cruel way Christ had to die. It was not until 5th Century, when Roman rule had passed and the personal memory of crucifixion had ceased, that the cross became a symbol of the Christian Church. The cross is a symbol today because we have come to know the cross was not the end of the story. We now see the cross as a symbol of hope and new life. Jesus died to pay the price for all our sins. Remember we learned in a previous rotation about what sin is? (anything that separates us from God) This means that when we sin, we can ask for forgiveness and know that God loves us and forgives us. Nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Reflection:

When it’s time to wrap up, say: In closing, let’s remember always the message of the cross. Right after Jesus’ resurrection the disciples may not have used a cross as a symbol but they understood what had happened. They saw the risen Christ. Remember the verse in our story: “Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” Luke 24:31a (NRSV)

Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer. Say a prayer yourself if no one volunteers. A suggestion: Thank you God for Easter every day. Thank you for helping us to recognize you, with us in our lives. Amen.

Have the kids help with clean up – putting extra eggshells back into zip bags, etc.

###end###

Written by Carol Hulbert for First United Methodist Church
120 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Copyright 2002 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material

If you use this material, even in a modified form, please include the following reference:

Hulbert, Carol. "The Walk to Emmaus – Old Art Lesson." Feb 2003. Place URL where lesson found inside angle brackets<>

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The Walk to Emmaus

Cooking Workshop:

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Make footprint shaped sugar cookies. Discuss how Jesus walks with us on our faith journey. [Note: 4th – 6th graders visited this workshop.]

For scripture and objectives - see above.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture for this lesson.
• Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
• Gather the materials.
• Wash a metal table.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Read and be familiar with the version presented in the Children’s Bible in 365 Stories page 380 so you can read it with animation and in a storytelling fashion.

Supplies List:

• Parchment paper
• Clean-up supplies
• Cookie Sheets and spatulas
• Napkins, small cups
• Already made sugar cookie dough (recipe is found at end of this linked lesson  https://www.rotation.org/topic/elisha-receives-the-mantle-from-elijah-lesson-set )
• Aprons
• Bibles
• The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories
• Extra flour
• Footprint cookie cutters
• Kitchen timer
• Pencils
• Rolling pins

Decorative sprinkles (optional)

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Gather everyone around the tables in the Social Hall. Greet your students warmly, welcoming them to the Cooking Workshop. Introduce yourself and any other adults.

[Note: The Shepherd will quietly take attendance, etc. while you are starting your lesson.]

Ask for any prayer requests. Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer. Be prepared to say a prayer yourself, working in prayer requests. Use the Lord’s Prayer as the ending. A suggestion: “Dear God, please warm our hearts as we are in the kitchen cooking today. Help us to think about walking along with Jesus and learning from him. (End with everyone joining in on the Lord’s Prayer.) Amen.”

Ask: Do you know any stories about someone who walked with Jesus? (lots of answers)
How about anyone who walked with Jesus AFTER he died?
Say: We are going to hear about Cleopas and a friend (who might have been his wife, we don’t know)… anyway, they told of doing this – walking with the risen Christ. Listen for the point in the story at which they realized that the person walking with them was Jesus. I wonder what took them so long to notice… ?

Dig:

Say: This story is found in the Bible in the book of Luke. Let’s get out Bibles and share with a friend to see if you can find Luke.

Ask: Is it in the Old or New Testament? (new)
Why? (because NT is stories about Jesus)

Say: Let’s find Luke 24:13-35. Okay, hold this spot open as I read this as a storyteller would.

Start off the story by saying: This story takes place on the very first Easter.

Read page 380 in The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories. Note the post-it note that indicates stopping after reading “We must go straight back to Jerusalem and tell the others.”
Finish the story by Saying: So Jesus’ friends returned to Jerusalem, in the dark, to tell the others about meeting Jesus along the road to Emmaus.

Say: For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us,
The class says: Thanks be to God!
(You might need to point out to the students that these are the words that are said in the worship service after the Bible is read. We say them in our class to help us prepare to be a part of the worship service.)

Ask: When did Cleopas and his wife realize that it was Jesus?
Why do you think it took them so long?

Say: Let’s find our key verse in our Bibles and read it together:

Read the Key Bible Verse: “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” Luke 24:31

Say: Let’s repeat that. Great! Let’s try it again at the end of our time together. Now we are going to make some cookies in the shape of footprints. Footprints, so that we can remember that this story is about walking with Jesus!
Say: If you want to, you can make a cookie in the shape of your own foot! Or you can use some footprint cookie cutters that we have in the kitchen. For those of you who want to do their own foot, please take off your shoe. I’m going to give you a square of parchment paper. Stand on the paper and have a partner trace your foot with a pencil. Then write your name on the outer area around your foot. When you are done, put your shoe back on and bring your parchment into the kitchen.

Have the Shepherd stay with any children who would like to trace their own foot. Ask the Shepherd to cut the parchment paper into quarters (? is this big enough) for the students to use to trace their foot. Go into the kitchen with those who don’t wish to make their own feet into cookies.

In the Kitchen:
You are going to have the children wash their hands and put aprons on.
Give students a bit of extra flour to rub onto the tabletop in front of them.
Give each child some dough and have them roll it out with a rolling pin. If the students are making their own footprint then shape the rolled dough to fit their own footprint. For those using footprint cookie cutters, they can make a couple of footprint cookies with the cutters. Have them write their name on the parchment paper next to their cookies. Place the cookies made with cutters on a separate cookie sheet from the footprint-sized cookies. The latter will likely take a little longer to cook.

Discussion: (while working with dough… )
Ask:

• So where did this story take place? (Road to Emmaus)
• Who was Cleopas? (A friend of Jesus)
• What did our key verse say happened to him and his friend/wife?
• What did they do after they found out it was Jesus talking with them?
• What would you do?

When ready, bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. [Set the kitchen timer.] Place the Shepherd in charge of making sure they don’t burn! Have the Shepherd bring the baked cookies out to the Social Hall.

Have students wash their hands and return to the tables in the Social Hall.

While the cookies bake:
Say: While we wait for the cookies to bake, let’s talk some more about our story.

Ask:

• Do you suppose that you would recognize Jesus if you had been walking with him?

Ask:

• Do you think there is a way that we can walk with Jesus today – not in person, but in our hearts?
• When do you feel closest to Jesus? (share an example from your own life)
• Have you been around anyone who seems like a ‘Jesus-kind’ of person?

Say: Maybe we can walk with Jesus by learning more about him and how he wanted us to be. We have made footprint cookies to help us think about our walk with Jesus – our journey in learning more about him and our faith in God.

When they are cool enough, share the cookies.

If You Have Extra Time
You could play a quick game of Simon Says (kind of a ‘follow the leader’ type of game!) and incorporate different elements of feet, walking, and repeating the Bible Verse.

Reflection:

Have everyone repeat the key Bible verse. See if they remember it without looking it up in the Bible.

Say: Let’s have a prayer. Lord, help us to tell others about how wonderful Jesus was and is in our lives. Help us to learn more about you through him. Help us on our walk with Jesus. Amen.

Resources:
Batchelor, Mary. The Children’s Bible in 365 Stories. Batavia, IL: Lion Publishing, 1985.

Written by Carol Teener for First United Methodist Church
Ann Arbor, MI

Copyright 2008 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material

If you use this material, even in a modified form, please include the following reference:
Teener,Carol. "The Walk to Emmaus - Cooking." April 2008. Place URL where lesson found inside angle brackets<>.

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The Walk to Emmaus:

Newsroom Workshop:

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Experience the story by producing, watching, and discussing a news broadcast in which Cleopas and his friend describe their encounter with Jesus on their walk to Emmaus. [Note: 4th – 6th graders visited this workshop.]

For scripture and objectives - see above.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture for this lesson.
• Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
• Gather the materials.
• Check to make sure video equipment is set up and ready to use.
• Make an outline of the class on the easel. Write in bullet form: choose parts/costumes, rehearse the script, pre-production meeting, videotape the newscast, watch the news, discuss: what if they had access to a news show?
• Label the 5 index cards: Camera operator, News Anchor (Demetrius), Reporter (Jacob), Cleopas, Friend.

Supplies List:

• Easel with appropriate marker
• Bibles
• Copies of script (4) with each part highlighted (attached to end of lesson)
• Index cards (5), marker
• Videotaping equipment: video camera or digital camera, tripod, extension cord, TV/DVD Player
• Digital still-camera (optional)
• Props: Microphone, Scene clapper, news desk with a sign: “WFUMC”, road painted on canvas backdrop

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Greet your students warmly, welcoming them to the WFUMC Newsroom. Introduce yourself and any other adults.

[Note: The Shepherd will be taking care of attendance while you are starting your lesson.]

Say: This is the newsroom of WFUMC, so we’ll be reporting news from the Bible. Before we get started, let’s begin with prayer.

Ask for any prayer requests. Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer. Use the Lord’s Prayer as the ending. A suggestion: “Dear God, We are so thankful that you are with us everyday. Help us to realize that we are not along on this journey called life. Help us to see you in those around us. (End with the Lord’s Prayer) Amen.”

Say: Today we’ll be videotaping a news broadcast on a portion of the story, The Walk to Emmaus. We want to get to the bottom of the story. We want to find out what’s going on, because it’s our job to report the news. Like all newscasts, ours will need reporters and people being interviewed. We’ll get it all ready, practice, and videotape it, and hopefully we’ll have time to watch our news show. Let’s first review our story.

Dig:

Distribute Bibles.

Ask: Where in the Bible would we find the Gospel of Luke– in the Old or New Testament? (New)

Have everyone find Luke - Chapter 24, Verses 13 – 35 in the Bible.
Have kids take turns reading verses 13 - 35 out loud.

[Note: After the first week of the Rotation the students will become more familiar with the story. Have them locate the scripture in their Bibles. Then ask them to tell you the story. Fill in any missing details by using their Bibles.]

Say: When we are done reading our Bible story we are going to say what is said in church after the scripture is read. Be ready to say “Thanks be to God!”
“For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us...”
The class says: Thanks be to God!

Refer to the easel.
Say: We are going to explore this story by creating a news report. We will choose parts, choose costumes, rehearse the script, have a short pre-production meeting, video tape either one or two groups acting out the newscast (depending on the number of kids in attendance), watch the newscast, and then discuss what people may have felt like back in the time when Jesus was resurrected if they had access to news media.

Prepare the News:
To determine who plays each part, each student will randomly choose an index card. There are 5 cards with one part on each card. If there are 7 or more kids, there should be two groups. After the first group has selected their parts, the second group can do the same.

Parts are:

• Camera operator – should be a kid (or could be the shepherd if there are not enough kids)
• News Anchor (Demetrius)
• Reporter (Jacob)
• Cleopas
• Friend

One newscast will be filmed
4 kids – one kid per part, shepherd or workshop leader operates video camera
5 kids – one kid per part
6 kids – one kid per part with “Friend” part split into two

Two separate newscasts will be videotaped
7 kids – kid operating the video camera and kid playing the news anchor do so in both newscasts
8 kids – shepherd runs the video camera in both newscasts, everyone else gets a speaking part
9 kids – camera operator is the same in both newscasts
10 kids – one kid per part
11 kids – Friend part is split into two parts for one of the newscasts
12 kids - Friend part is split into two parts for both of the newscasts

Say: We will now prepare our news show. Everyone will choose costumes and we will run through the script once or twice. You have about 5 minutes to prepare your scene; then we’ll videotape it.

You and the shepherd should mingle with the groups helping them stay on task.
As you help the students rehearse the newscast, if it seems appropriate, you can enhance their learning by telling them what you learned from the Overview material.

Watch the clock; after 3 minutes, give a two-minute warning. [Start taping by 10:10, maybe even earlier if you have two groups]

Recording the news:
Run through the script as rehearsed, but now with the camera going! Make sure that all of the spectators are sitting down quietly during the taping of the newscast. If there are two groups, instruct the first group to leave “the set” and ask the second group to take their places. Then begin the second taping.

View the news:
When done recording, play it back for fun and to make a few observations.

Discussion (possible questions):

• How might people in Jesus’ time have reacted after seeing this news report?
• Why do you think Jesus did not tell Cleopas and his friend who he was until they realized who he was when he broke bread with them?
• How did Cleopas and his friend feel when Jesus was walking with them?
• How we might recognize that Jesus walks with us today?
• In what ways can we see Jesus in the lives of others?

Reflection:

Say: In our story today, it took awhile for Cleopas and his friend to identify Jesus, but as our key verse says, “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” Luke 24:31a

Say a prayer of your own to close the workshop, or use the following:
“Thank you, God, for loving us so much that you sent Jesus to our world. Help us to recognize and see you in our lives. Thank you for traveling with us through our journeys. Amen.”

Resources:
Marshall, Jan. “Rotation.org The Walk to Emmaus: Lesson Set from Brookhaven Church.” 2002.

Written by Beth Pascoe for First United Methodist Church
Ann Arbor, MI

Copyright 2008 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material

The Walk to Emmaus:

New Science Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

[Note: 4th – 6th graders visited this workshop.] Through demonstration and hands-on exercises, children will explore the concept of how we view objects around us. Students will discuss “seeing” or recognizing Jesus. What can make it difficult to recognize Jesus in our midst?

For scripture and objectives

- see above.

Leader Preparation:

Read Bible Background and scripture.

Supplies List:

• Bibles
• Blank sheet of paper (one per student; can be scrap paper)
• Worksheet for science experiments (one per student)
• Pencils or pens (one per student)
• A US penny and a U.S. dollar coin
• Sheet of paper cut into an 6 x 6 square, one pair of scissors
• A noise-making device, for example: two wooden blocks
• Printed instructions for each of the experiment stations to be used (see end of lesson)
• Additional materials for each station... Gather items for the experiment stations you intend to use. (Note: Try to have enough of each material at a station so that all students can be doing an experiment at a station at the same time – in other words, no one is standing around waiting.)
  
  

Advance Preparation Requirements

• In the center of a sheet of copy paper, trace around a penny. Carefully cut an exact penny-sized opening. Practice how to pass the dollar coin through the penny-sized hole.
• Determine the experiment stations you intend to use. (You may choose to do fewer stations if time is limited or the size of your class is small.) Set up the experiment stations with supplies. Try out each of the experiment stations for yourself.
• Print instructions for each station to be used (see below). Using a word processor, create a customized worksheet for the stations selected (see below). Leave space on the sheet for students to write their answers. The worksheet isn’t required but keeps the kids focused on the lesson. Print one worksheet copy per student.
  
  

Stations

Station 1: Draw a Mirror

• Printed Instructions: (1) Draw a curvy line on a piece of paper. (2) Using a different colored marker, see if you can trace over your line but don’t look at the line you drew! Instead, look at a reflection of the line in a mirror. (No peeking at what you actually drew on the paper!)
• Worksheet Words: (1) Was this hard or easy to do? (2) Why do you think so? (3) If you practiced at this sort of exercise, would it get easier?

Station 2: “Magic Eye” puzzles.

• Printed Instructions: (1) Hold a picture so the center of the picture almost touches your nose. (2) Look at the picture without focusing on any one part. Slowly move the picture away from your face. Keep your eyes relaxed and unfocused!
• Worksheet Words: (1) What does the picture look like when you look at it in a normal way? (2) What did you see when you followed the instructions? (3) If you try looking at the same picture again does it get easier to see the “surprise”?

Station 3: “Visual Puzzles”

• Printed Instructions: See if you can solve the puzzles shown.
• Worksheet Words: (1) Was each puzzle hard, or easy to do? (2) If the puzzle had an “answer”, when you saw the answer did the puzzle then seem really easy? (3) What surprising thing did you learn?

Station 4: “Your Blind Spot”

• Printed Instructions: Using the card with just a cross and a dot, with the cross on the right, hold the card so it is an arm’s length away. Close your right eye. Look at the cross with your left eye. Focusing on the cross, slowly move the card towards your face. Keep focusing on the cross but notice what happens to the dot.
• Worksheet Words: (1) What happened to the dot as you moved the card in closer? (2) Does the same result occur if you close your left eye and focus your right eye on the dot? (3) If you try this experiment using the card with a line across it, what do you notice?
  
  

Station 5: “Color Wheel”

• Printed Instructions: Predict what you’ll see before you spin each lid.
  
  
• Worksheet Words: (1) What colors did you observe? (2) What color would you expect to see when spinning a black and white disk? (3) What about a multi-color disk?

Station 6: “Dot Pictures”

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Greet your students warmly, welcoming them to the Science Workshop. Introduce yourself and any other adults. Open with prayer.

A suggestion: “Dear God, We are thankful that long ago you sent your son Jesus to teach people about your love. Help us today to recognize the love that Jesus offers for each of us. Amen."

Ask:  What if I told you that sometimes you and I might see the same thing, but it would mean something very different to both of us? Would you agree that could happen?

Say:  In Science, we ask a question, make a guess at the answer, and then we test out our guess with experiments.  Let’s do a little experiment.

Do:  Distribute a piece of paper and a pencil to each student.

Say: I will give you some instructions and you will draw on the paper what you hear me say.
Ask:  Would you guess that you would be able to do as I ask? (allow a few replies)

Say:  Let’s test out our guess. You have one minute to draw an animal with four legs, two ears and whiskers.

    After one minute of drawing time, continue.

Say:  I’m going to count to three and everyone will show the group their pictures.  Ready?  One, two, three.

    Take a moment to look at the pictures.

Ask:  Do we all have the same drawing?  What are some of the drawings we have?
But, didn’t we all hear the same directions?
Why is it that we have different drawings?

Say:  Sometimes we may have the same information but we interpret it or “see” it differently. Today we will explore about how we “see” things

Dig:

Say: We are learning a Bible story about two people who were walking from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus. This took place on the very first Easter.

Ask:  What happened on the very first Easter? (Jesus rose from the dead)
Say:   It is early evening on the very first Easter -- on the day Jesus rose from the dead. So far just a few of the women have seen Jesus alive. They have told the other disciples what they saw but the other disciples didn’t believe these women. They didn’t know what to think.

Ask:  Since our story took place on the very first Easter, where would we find our story?
Say:  Stories about Jesus are found in the New Testament of the Bible.
Ask:  What is the name we give to the portion of the New Testament where we find stories about Jesus? (the Gospels)

Say:  The word gospel means good news!
Ask:   What are the names of the four books of the Bible that make up the Gospels?

Say:  We find our story in the Gospel of Luke. Our two travelers walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, were followers of Jesus. As they walk along, an amazing thing happens – they meet the risen Christ!
Ask:  But do they recognize him? Do they “see” him?
Say:  Let’s read about this amazing event. Pay attention to how these two people in our story “see.”

Read the Scripture together, verses 13-35.
[In later weeks, ask for volunteers to tell you what happens in the story. Read verses only if needed to fill in details.]

Ask: Did the two travelers recognize Christ when they first saw him? (No)
Why do you suppose they didn’t recognize Jesus? (Accept all answers)
Have you ever heard the expression “I’ll believe it when I see it”?

Say:  That is what some of Jesus’ disciples seemed to be saying when the women reported that they had seen Jesus. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Ask:  Can actually seeing something help you to “believe” it?
Can you think of some things you’d have to see to believe? (allow a few answers)

Say:  I have a piece of paper here with a hole in the middle. (Show paper w/ hole in center.)     This hole is exactly the size of a penny. (Show the penny in relation to the hole in the paper).

Ask:  Do you think I can fit this quarter coin through this penny-sized hole, without ripping the paper? (Hold the quarter coin up to the penny-sized hole.)

Say:  Maybe you have to see it to believe it.
  
Do:  Demonstrate that it is possible! Ask for an assistant to hold the quarter coin for a moment.  Fold the paper so that the folded edge goes through the center of the hole. With two hands, hold the top outer corners of the paper so the hole (and fold) is at the bottom edge. Push the corners inward. Ask your assistant to drop the coin into the paper. The coin will easily fall through the hole.

[Note:  Why this can happen is because you’ve distorted the hole, but SKIP explaining this. Why this happens isn’t important to our lesson.  The point is, did they first see the hole and think that it couldn’t be done?]

Say: This was a case where seeing helped you believe something – that I could fit a large coin through a small hole. But what about our two travelers – they saw Jesus but they didn’t recognize him at first. So seeing wasn’t enough to help them. They needed to not only see, but also to recognize – to realize who was in their presence – that it was the risen Christ!

Say: At this time we’re going to be doing some experiments about our eyes and how they work with our brains to help us see. We will be discovering about how we view objects around us. There are several stations set up for us to take turns visiting. You will have a worksheet to fill out to record your experiences at each station. We will stop and talk about our findings at 10:17.

Science Experiment Stations

Directions:

• Demonstrate the noise-making device. Students will go to the next station when they hear that noise.
• Ask the Shepherd to help you form groups with two students in each group. For 1st &2 grade: Maximum of 4 groups. For 3rd grade and up: Maximum of 5 groups. Form groups of three if needed.
• Assign each group to a starting station. Distribute worksheets. (They already have access to a pencil or pen.)
• Have groups spend 3 minutes at each station and rotate to the next station on your signal.
• Encourage students to fill out their worksheets.
• Stop the experiment phase with enough time for discussion.

Follow-up Discussion:

Briefly discuss what students discovered in their course through each station. Points to make:

• Station 1: (Draw a Mirror)  The mirror shows a backwards image of the curvy line you drew. It was hard to trace your line because your brain is not used to telling your hand what to do in reverse.
• Station 2: ("Magic Eye” puzzles) This 3-D picture process works because of what’s called “binocular disparity” – our eyes each see a slightly different perspective. This affects the way our brain interprets depth.
• Station 3: (Visual Puzzles) Your comments will vary based on the puzzles chosen.
• Station 4: (Your Blind Spot) We all have a blind spot – a place on your retina that does not have any receptors to light. You noticed your blind spot when the dot or the cross disappeared from view. In the experiment with the line across the card, there wasn’t any break in the line where your blind spot would be. This is because your brain “fills in” the blind spot by using surrounding information – the line.
• Station 5: (Color Wheel) When you spun each top your eyes combined the colors – so a red and yellow disk will look orange, a rainbow colored disk will appear white, and a black and white disk will show various colors. (No one is quite sure why this happens).
• Station 6: (Dot Pictures) Your brain tries to interpret what your eyes are seeing. Your eyes see a bunch of dots but the brain says – but what is that? To help decide, your brain is also using past knowledge.

Say:  So let’s apply what we’ve learned about how we see and recognize objects, to what happened to the two travelers on the road to Emmaus.

Ask:    Do you suppose that they didn’t recognize Jesus because of their blind spot? (no)
Why do you suppose it was so hard for these followers of Jesus to recognize Jesus?  (accept all answers; perhaps distraction, grief, worry, fear)

Say:  What if you were on your way to school, and Jesus was suddenly walking with you.
Ask:  Would we recognize him?
What can make it difficult to recognize Jesus in your life? (allow all replies)
  
Do:   Share an example from your life of a time when you didn’t recognize – until later – Jesus present in your life.
       
Say:  The two travelers finally recognized Jesus when he broke the bread.
Ask:  What does this breaking of bread remind you of?  (Communion)

Say:  I like the significance of that! At the Last Supper Jesus had told his disciples to remember him when they broke bread! Here, Jesus was giving them another reminder about breaking bread together!

Ask:  What was it that Cleopas and his friend realized when they talked over their encounter with Jesus? (how their hearts “burned” when Jesus explained the Bible to them)

Say:  Jesus wants us to see him! The Bible can help us to recognize Christ. So if we work at it, if we train our eye, and our mind – because remember your eyes work with your brain – we can get better at “seeing” Jesus!
Ask:  How can we practice “seeing” Jesus this week? (read & discuss the Bible, take a walk, notice nature, spend quiet time, break bread with other people, etc.)

Closure

Repeat the memory verse.
Say: May your eyes be opened to God’s presence in your life this week

Additional Suggestions

Adaptations - Younger Children

Use a story Bible (showing any pictures as you read) or paraphrase the story.
Forego the use of a worksheet for non-readers.
Have an adult for each group of students to help them at each station.
Reduce the number of stations.

Adaptations - Older Children

Choose the stations that you think will be more challenging to your older students.
Give students supplies to create their own color wheel combinations.

Adaptations for Intergenerational Groups

Have children travel in groups separate from their parent or caregiver. (Allows them a reason to discuss this workshop afterwards at home.)

Sources

** For group demonstration-coin “trick” --

• Rice, George F. “Active Humility.” Dr. George’s Science Web. 2001-2010. (link removed-no longer active).        
• "The Impossible Hole Secret."  https://sciencemagician.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/coin-through-an-impossible-hole-experiment/. [For a video version see here.]

** For Station 1

• Nye, Bill. “For Kids & Teachers - Home Demos: Mirror, Mirror.”
  Bill Nye The Science Guy. 2014. Web.  (Under "Humans" click on "Mirror, Mirror.")

**For Station 2

• "3-D Viewing Instructions." Magic Eye. 2014. Web.
  (Instructions and picture at this site may help younger students to view these pictures)
• “Magic Eye Image of the Week.” Magic Eye. 2014. https://www.magiceye.com/stwkdisp.htm.
• Book: Van Wagner Childs, Anne. God's Miracle Eye: Best-loved Bible Stories in 3-D, Little Rock, AR: Leisure Arts, 1995. (ISBN 1-57486-000-3)

** For Station 3

• Chudler, Eric H. "Colors, colors." Neuroscience for kids. 1996-2014. Web.
• "Illusions." Puzzles.com. 1995-2013. Link dead - try this, should find puzzles for younger and older students https://www.optics4kids.org/illusions
• Rice, George F. “Puzzle Power.” Dr. George’s Science Web. 2001-2010. Link Dead.
  (use for older students)
• "Visual Puzzles." Puzzles.com. 1995-2013. Link Dead.

** For Station 4

• “Science Snacks: Blind Spot.” The Exploratorium. 2014. Web.

** For Station 5

• Doherty, Paul and Rathjen, Don. The Cheshire Cat and Other Eye-Popping Experiments on How We See the World. New York: Wiley & Sons, 1995. (ISBN 0-471-11516-9)

** For Station 6

• "Jacques Cousteau in Seashells." The Exploratorium. 2014. Web.

What to do if links are dead? Get creative and search!
For links from the Exploratorium go to http://www.exploratorium.edu and search for "Snacks" and then look for a word from the title (for example: "blind spot" for station 4.)
For station 3, search for "stroop test" or "color word test"

If all fails, click on the word Option (found at bottom right of this post)  and select "Report Reply" and let us know which link does not work.

(But expect a possible long wait as we are only volunteers!)

Written by Carol Hulbert for First United Methodist Church
120 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Copyright 2003 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material

If you use this material, even in a modified form, please include the following reference:

Hulbert, Carol. "The Walk to Emmaus – New Science Lesson." 2003. Place URL where lesson found inside angle brackets<>

The Walk to Emmaus:

Old Science Workshop

Summary of Activities:

(Done 6 years ago. Not used in 2008.) It’s hard to recognize Jesus. Optical illusion and slight of hand magic tricks open discussion on how things are not always what they appear.

Old Science Workshop Objectives:

• To know that Jesus appeared to his followers after his crucifixion. They didn’t always recognize him immediately but once they did, this helped them understand and believe the resurrection.
• To understand that sometimes we have a hard time recognizing Jesus in our lives.
• To know that having the Bible opened up for us allows us to grow in faith.

For scripture - see above.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture for this lesson.

• Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.

• Gather the materials
• Practice the magic trick; set it up for the start of class.



Supplies List:

• Bibles
• Four opaque film canisters with lids (put a few coins in one)
• A rubber band (large enough to fit around wrist)
• An instant camera loaded with film
• Several black, washable markers (must be washable or water-based markers)
• Cone-shaped coffee filters (one per child)
• Small, clear plastic cups (one per child)
• A pitcher (fill with water before class starts)
• Paper towel
• A ruler
• Newspaper

Lesson Plan

Opening:


Introduce yourself. Pass around the attendance…etc. Open class with prayer if you desire—ask first for prayer requests then ask if someone else would like to lead the group in prayer. Be prepared to say a prayer yourself, working in prayer requests.



Dig:


Start by telling everyone that you want to perform a magic trick.

Point out the three film canisters in front of you on the table.


Say: If you can guess which one of these containers has coins in it, you can keep the money. See, the money is in this container. Give one of the film canisters a shake (executing the trick) so that everyone can hear the rattling inside. 
Say: Now I'll mix them up so keep an eye on them.
Rearrange the canisters—awkwardly—so that anyone watching this trick closely can keep an eye on the one with the coins.

Challenge someone to point to the one with the money. Pick up the one they pointed to and shake it vigorously. They are wrong, of course.


Say: This is the right one.
 Pick up another (again executing the trick) and give it a shake. If the kids seem interested (and don’t know the trick) you might try it again. When finished, show them how the trick was done.

Say: Magic tricks can be fun because they surprise us. Magic tricks remind us that things aren’t always what they appear to be. 
[Here’s the trick: None of the canisters on the table have money in them; instead, it's in a fourth canister rubber-banded to your left wrist and hidden by your sleeve. When you shake any canister with your left hand, the audience hears a rattling sound. Shake with your right hand, and they hear nothing.] 



Now tell everyone you want to take a class picture.

Gather everyone together in a group, and using an instant camera, take a photo. Pass around the picture right after you take it. Ask: What do you see? (they won’t see much of anything at first) Pass the picture around again. Asking: Now what do you see? Is the picture any clearer? (some detail will be starting to emerge) 


Say: The characters in our Bible story, had an experience like you just did with this photograph – where the picture started off fuzzy, but then got clearer. Let’s read our story so you can see what I mean.
Help the kids find Luke, chapter 24, verses 13 to 35. (Encourage kids to bring their own Bibles!) Since it’s a fairly long story, you read it to them and have them follow along. (In week 2 or 3 of the rotation ask them to help you tell the story.)



Have the kids pass the photo around again. 
Ask: How does the photo look now? Is the picture still fuzzy? Can you recognize people in the picture? 
In our story, did Cleopas and his traveling companion recognize Jesus when they first saw him? (no) Say: They did not realize that the stranger traveling with them was the risen Christ. What did it take for them to recognize Jesus? (it took time; during the time it took to journey to Emmaus they listened to Jesus teach them. They eventually recognized Jesus when he broke bread with them)
Say: Just as we can now clearly see our group photo, the two disciples traveling to Emmaus eventually clearly recognized Jesus.



Say: Let’s do a science experiment. Have everyone gather around the table.

Pass out one plastic cup and one coffee filter per child. Demonstrate how you want them to each draw a stick-figure person about 1” tall, using the provided markers. (Draw the figure near the wide part of the coffee filter). While the kids are drawing, fill their cups with 1/2 inch of water. When everyone is ready, have them place the coffee filter, wide side down, with just the edge touching the water.

Ask: what is happening to the person you drew? (the colors in the black ink will separate out) How many colors do you see? Say: the scientific word to describe what you see is called chromatography. It looked to us like we drew a little person in one color but it was actually many colors combined together. This experiment shows us that we might look at something and not really see the whole picture.



Say: Here is something to try.

Have all the kids make a circle with their thumb and index finger. Hold the circle at arm's length. With both eyes, look through the circle and focus on an object. Without moving, close one eye and then the other. It will appear as though your hand has somehow moved when in fact it hasn’t.

Say: Science can explain this because one eye is dominant, or stronger than the other. It does the job of focusing your gaze. So we can be looking at things and something surprising still happens.



Say: Here’s another experiment.


Place a ruler on the table with several inches hanging over the edge of the table. Fold a large sheet of newspaper to make a double sheet and spread it over the ruler so the paper lies flat along the table edge.

Ask: Do you think that I can hit that ruler and make that paper go flying? (they will probably think that you can) Hit the ruler that sticks out over the edge as hard as you can. You would expect everything to go flying but the paper holds the ruler in place.

Say: the paper didn’t move because there is actually about two tons of air pressure holding it in place. The air over the newspaper is pushing down at 15 lbs per square inch of weight on every inch of paper. No wonder it wouldn’t budge. Another example of how things aren’t always as they appear.


Say: The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Jesus at first. Why do you suppose Jesus made himself unrecognizable or hidden? (accept all answers – try to lead to the idea that perhaps Jesus did this as a way to show us that the Lord comes to us in different ways and uses different people and events to teach us and reach us)



Ask: Is it sometimes hard to recognize Jesus in your life? 
What can keep us from seeing the risen Christ? 
In what ways are the hidden Christ revealed to us?



Say: Sometimes we can see God in our lives by reading the Bible. When they were walking to Emmaus and Jesus joined them (but they thought he was a stranger) how do you think the disciples felt when Jesus was explaining the scriptures to them? (later they described the feeling as though their hearts were burning) I think it meant they felt reassured of the truth of the Bible. So reading the Bible and having the Bible opened to us helps us grow in faith.



Reflection:


When it’s time to wrap up, say: In closing, remember that hidden things can be revealed to us – whether it be the meaning of a Bible story or the realization that Jesus wants to be a part of your life journey. Remember the verse in our Bible story: “Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” Luke 24:31a (NRSV) 

Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer. Say a prayer yourself if no one volunteers. A suggestion: Thank you God for sending your Son, Jesus. Help us to recognize you in our lives. Thank you for traveling with us through our journeys. Amen.



In case you need an additional project, here’s a problem to solve that involves cups and water: Take 6 cups and mark a line on them with permanent marker at about the half full line. Set out the 6 cups in a row and fill (to the mark) cups number 3, 4, and 5. Ask the kids if they can rearrange the cups to the following pattern: one full, one empty, one full, one empty, one full, one empty by moving only one cup. Answer: pour water from cup 4 into cup 1 and put cup 4 back in its spot. You can tie this difficult problem to what do we do in life when faced with difficult problems? (turn to the Bible for help)


Written by Carol Hulbert for First United Methodist Church
Ann Arbor, MI

Copyright 2002 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material
Note: This workshop was used back in 2002. The newer lesson for Science was used in 2008. (See link above.)

If you use this material, even in a modified form, please include the following reference:

Hulbert, Carol. "The Walk to Emmaus – Old Science Lesson." Feb 2002. Place URL where lesson found inside angle brackets<>.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

The Walk to Emmaus:

Art Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

By creating a banner of footprints, students will learn the story of the walk to Emmaus and be reminded that Jesus walks with us on our faith journey. [Note: 1st – 3rd graders visited this workshop.]

For scripture and objectives- see above.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture for this lesson.
• Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
• Gather the materials.
• Round up extra help for this workshop. It will take at least 3 adults- one to paint feed, one to wash feet and one to work with the waiting kids.
• Fill the buckets with warm water.
• Set up the classroom for the feet painting: spread the table covers and place the banner on top of the table covers. Have the table covers stick out around the edges to catch any “extra” footprints. Place a chair at each end of the banner with trays, paints, sponges, buckets of water & towels by each chair.
• Write on the easel: “As they talked and discussed… and Jesus walked along with them.” Luke 24:15

Supplies List:

• Bibles (for 3rd grade and up)
• For younger students: The Children’s Illustrated Bible, p. 278-279
• Cloth banner for foot print painting (We used a large piece of felt)
• Tempera paints in varying colors (and a bit of dishwashing soap)
• Trays for holding paint (use meat trays)
• Sponges for application of paint
• Table covers
• Buckets of H20, soap, towels, paper towel, plastic bags for wet laundry
• Coloring picture of the Emmaus Walk & word puzzles (one per student)
• Sequencing activity & Concentration game
• Question & answer Concentration game (for readers)
• Small foam feet (optional), Hole-punch, Yarn
• Crayons, colored pencils and markers
• Easel and appropriate marker
  
  

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Greet your students warmly, welcoming them to the Art Workshop. Introduce yourself and any other adults.

[Note: The Shepherd will be taking care of attendance while you are starting your lesson.]

Ask for any prayer requests. Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer.
Be prepared to say a prayer yourself, working in prayer requests. Use the Lord’s Prayer as the ending. A suggestion: “Dear God, help us to try to recognize Jesus in the actions and people we see each day. Help us to remember that Jesus walks with us always as we learn about Him and God. (End with everyone joining in on the Lord’s Prayer.) Amen.

Ask: Have you ever passed by someone, and then turned around quickly to see him/her
again, because you thought he/she was a friend of yours?
Say: Sometimes you are right and sometimes you are not. Today’s story is about a time when some of Jesus’ disciples did not recognize him at first, but then later they realized they had completed a journey with him!

Dig:

For 3rd grade:
Ask: Where in the Bible would we read a story about Jesus? (in the New Testament)
Where do we find the New Testament in the Bible? [Remind them of the quick way to find the New Testament. Opening the Bible in middle lands you usually in Psalms. Taking just the back half and finding middle of that, gets you to beginning of NT.]
What are the first four books of the New Testament?
What do we call those first four books? (the Gospels)
Say: The word Gospel means “good news.” Jesus brings us good news about God’s love for us.
Distribute Bibles. Have everyone find Luke 24:13-35 in the Bible.
If this is a week early in the Rotation, read the scripture together. After the first week of the Rotation, ask the students if they can tell you the story. Have them check their Bibles for accuracy.

For 1st and 2nd graders:
Ask: If we want to read something that Jesus said, where would we find it – in the Old Testament or the New Testament of the Bible? (new)
Does anyone know the names of the first four books of the New Testament?
What name do we call those first four books of the NT? (the Gospels)
Say: Our Bible is like a library. It is filled with 66 books. We find the story about the Walk to Emmaus in the book of Luke.
Show them the pictures on page 278 and 279 of The Children’s Illustrated Bible. Read to them the following while showing them the pictures in the book:
For the story to read see:

Moderator replaced dead link with this http://www.biblewise.com/kids/...g/walk-to-emmaus.php

For all students:
Say: When we are done reading our Bible story we are going to say what is said in church after the scripture is read. Be ready to say “thanks be to God!”
For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us,
The class says: Thanks be to God!

Discussion:
Ask:

• The two disciples were sad when Jesus joined them on their walk to Emmaus – why do you suppose they were sad? (because Jesus had died)
• These two travelers didn’t recognize Jesus. How do you suppose that happened? (Answers vary- perhaps they were too sad, or distracted)
• What did they invite this stranger to do when they arrived in Emmaus? (stay the night and eat with them)
• What happened at the meeting when Jesus broke the bread? (they recognized him as Jesus)
• How would you feel if you recognized Jesus as the person eating a meal next to you?
  (Answers vary)
• What about seeing Jesus in other people? Do you suppose that is possible?
  (Answers vary -- maybe in people helping others, parents caring for children, a neighbor lending a helping hand, etc. Give an example from your experience.)

Say: When they recognized Jesus, the disciples were helped along in their journey of faith – they knew that they would believe that Jesus was the Son of God.
Ask: Can you think of ways that you “walk with Jesus?”
What are some ways to show that you are learning to be like Jesus, to walk with Jesus? (Answers vary – being kind to friends & family, helping out at home, coming to church with families, etc.)

Start the art project:
Say: Our project today will be to make a banner that will hang here at church. It will have some words from our story. [Refer to the easel.] When we see this banner hanging here at church we will remember that we are on a journey – a journey to grow our connection with Jesus. Jesus is always walking with us.

The kids will be making a banner with painted footsteps to represent their walk with Jesus in their faith journeys. The banner will be laid out on the floor with a chair at each end of the banner. At one chair will be paint, paint trays, sponges, and at the other chair will be a bucket with water, soap, and towels.
The teacher and the Shepherd will help each child paint his/her feet for the banner. Have the child sit in the chair, removing shoes and socks, then using a sponge, dab the paint onto his/her feet while sitting down. Once the feet are ready, help the child stand on the banner and begin walking – try to have him/her walk from one side of the banner to the other (if there is enough paint on his/her feet!) When the child gets to the other side, he/she will sit down and an adult will help him/her to remove the remaining paint. Have him/her put on shoes and socks away from the chair so you can prepare another child to do the painting.
For kids who are waiting their turn to do the painting, there will be coloring pages about the Walk to Emmaus and puzzles and foam feet to decorate with markers and stick on embellishments. (That can then be taken home.)

Reflection:

Remind the kids that their banners are symbols of the Walk to Emmaus – help them read and talk about the key verse:
“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” Luke 24:31a

If you have extra time (or what to do with the kids who are waiting their turn):

• Use the easel to play “Hangman” with simple words from the story (such as “Jesus”, “eyes”, “seeing”, or “opened. Talk about just seeing blanks as the puzzle is started, but how you come to “see” the word that fits in the puzzle. Discuss faith in Jesus as being a belief in something, even when we don’t actually see Jesus.
• Have the students sequence the story using the line drawings provided.
• Play a game of Concentration with the duplicate line drawings.
• Find Emmaus on the map in the back of the purple Bibles.
• For 3rd graders (maybe 2nd graders?) another form of Concentration that matches questions and answers.

Resources:

• The Children’s Illustrated Bible. Retold by Selina Hastings/illustrated by Eric Thomas. Copyright 1994, Dorling Kindersley.
• NIV Adventure Bible. Copyright 2000, Zondervan.

Written by Melissa Martin and Debbie Houghton for First United Methodist Church
Ann Arbor, MI 

Copyright 2008 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material

If you use this material, even in a modified form, please include the following reference:
Martin, Melissa and Debbie Houghton. "The Walk to Emmaus - Art." April 2008. Place URL where lesson found inside angle brackets<>.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

The Walk to Emmaus

Drama Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Be a part of the scene where Jesus broke bread. Learn about Communion from a member of the clergy. [Note: 1st – 3rd graders visited this workshop.]

For scripture and objectives - see above.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture for this lesson.
• Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
• Gather the materials.
• Invite a member of the clergy (consider asking a retired minister in your area if your pastor can't make it) to attend this workshop to answer questions.
• Create a list of possible questions about Communion. 
• If needed, stop in the kitchen and collect a tray or cookie sheet, a plate, and towels.
• Separate the one pound loaves of bread dough into 3 “servings” per loaf. Place these on the tray and cover with a towel. Have this tray & the Wet Wipes handy to the low table.
• Set the un-sliced loaf of bread on the plate. Cover with a towel. Place the plate on the low table.
• Set out costumes – to avoid a mass digging thorough the costume box.

Supplies List:

• For 3rd grade: Bibles; One purple Adventure Bible with tabs (Law, History, etc.), Bible tab writing kit: tabs, fine-line Sharpie pen
• For 1st and 2nd graders: On-My-Own Reader Bible
• Costumes
• A low table
• Wet wipes or Hand Sanitizer
• A loaf of un-sliced bread (cooked)
• Mini Loaf pans (14.5 x 8.4 x 4.7 cm)
• Loaves of frozen bread dough – thawed, 1 pound loaves – 1 for every 3 students
• A tray or a cookie sheet
• A plate large enough for the loaf of bread
• Two towels
• Zipper storage bags large enough for the loaf pan (one per student)
• Copies of baking instructions (one per student)

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Greet your students warmly, welcoming them to the Drama Workshop. Introduce yourself and any other adults.

[Note: The Shepherd will quietly take attendance, etc. while you are starting your lesson.]

Say: Let’s begin with prayer.
Ask for any prayer requests. Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer. Be prepared to say a prayer yourself, working in prayer requests. Use the Lord’s Prayer as the ending. A suggestion: “Dear God, We are thankful that long ago you sent your son Jesus to teach people about your love. Help us today to recognize the love that Jesus offers for each of us. (End with the Lord’s Prayer) Amen.”

Dig:

Ask:

• How many of you walk to school?
• How many of you can walk to go a friends house?
• What about just taking a walk, do you like to do that?

Say: We are learning a Bible story about two people who were walking from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus on the very first Easter evening. Along the way, an amazing thing happened – they met the risen Christ! Let’s read about this story.

Ask:

• Where in the Bible would we read a story about Jesus, in the Old or the New Testament?
• What do we call the first four books of the New Testament? (the Gospels)

Say: The word Gospel means “good news.”
Ask:

• What good news do we learn about in the Gospels?
• What holiday did we just celebrate? (Easter)
• What happened on the first Easter? (Jesus was raised from the dead)
• Why is that important to celebrate? (allow a few answers)

Say: It is important to celebrate because it shows God’s power over death. Jesus is alive! Because of this we can know that we now have a chance of a new way of living. Jesus died for us – so that our sins could be forgiven.

Ask: What are sins? (accept all answers; anything that separates us from God)
Say: Isn’t it wonderful to know that God gives us a second chance even when we mess up?

For 3rd grade (who visit later in this Rotation):
Distribute Bibles.
Say: If you have your own Bible today, be sure you receive a tab for the Gospel section of your Bible. [Show the classroom Bible with tabs. Have the Shepherd do tabs for students who bring their Bibles. Use the classroom Bible with tabs as an example.]
Have everyone find Luke 24:13 in the Bible.
Ask the students if they can tell you the story. Have them check their Bibles for accuracy.
Say: Part of what we learn in Sunday’s Cool is preparation to be together in worship. To help us prepare for that time, after we read scripture we are going to say the words that are said in worship after the scripture is read. Be ready to say: “thanks be to God” after we finish reading verses 30 and 31.
Have them to read together Luke 24:30-31.

For 1st and 2nd graders:
Say: We find our story in the Gospel of Luke. When we are done reading our Bible story we are going to say what is said in church after the scripture is read. Be ready, when the scripture is finished, to say “thanks be to God!”
Read them the story on pages 260 - 263 in the On-My-Own Reader Bible. Show the picture on page 261 as you read the story. Note the post-it note that indicates stopping after reading, “Right then he disappeared!”
Finish the story by Saying: The travelers were amazed! The stranger was Jesus! He was alive! So Jesus’ friends returned to Jerusalem, in the dark, to tell the others about meeting Jesus along the road to Emmaus.

For all students:
Say: For the Word of God in scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us,
The class says: Thanks be to God!

Ask:

• Did the two travelers recognize Jesus when they first saw him? (no)
• When did the two travelers recognize Jesus? (when he broke the bread)
• What does this breaking of bread remind you of? (Communion)

Drama Activity:
Say: Today we’re going to be talking more about Communion. But first let’s act out some of the things that happened on the very first Easter Sunday, the day that Jesus was raised from the dead. Let’s put on costumes.

Allow everyone to put on a costume.
Gather everyone sitting on the couches and chairs in the room.
[Note: this is going to involve some acting “in place.”]

Say: On the very first Easter, Jesus was raised to life from the dead but at first, his disciples didn’t know about this. Jesus’ disciples were still thinking that Jesus had been killed and was dead.
Ask: How would they have been feeling?
How would your faces look if you were sad?

Encourage everyone to act sad.

Say: Imagine that you are the two followers of Jesus who are traveling slowly down the long, dusty road to Emmaus.
Ask: What are you talking about? (the events of the past week)

Encourage everyone to walk in place, slowly, with sadness. (You should also be walking in place.)

Say: Cleopas turned to his friend and said, “it seems like only yesterday when we were welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem with palm branches.” The second traveler said, “yes, they treated him like a king. But now…he’s been killed.” His thought trailed off. They walked in silence for a few moments, each lost in their sorrow.

At this point stop and Say: Now form groups of two. I want one of you to repeat after me. The second person should respond the way the travelers on the road might have.
Say: Ready? First Traveler: “I’m so confused. Why is his body missing?”

One group member repeats this and the other responds appropriately.

Say: Suddenly Cleopas and his friend had their thoughts interrupted as they noticed that a stranger had joined them in their journey.

Have the students form groups of three. (You and the Shepherd may need to join a group.) Pick one member of each group to be Jesus. Have everyone keep on walking in place.

Ask: Do the disciples recognize Jesus? (no, not yet)
Say: The stranger asked, “What events are you talking about?”

Have the stranger (Jesus) in each group repeat this question and have the other two respond with disbelief.

Say: The disciples began to explain to the stranger about what had happened and about their hopes that Jesus was the Messiah. Then the stranger interrupted, “don’t you know what the scriptures say?” And Jesus went on to explain what the Old Testament had to say about the Messiah. “It’s ok,” the hidden Jesus, explained. “He had to die so that all could have new life.” Jesus was opening the Bible for them; helping them to understand. And while he did, the disciples felt their hearts burning.

Say: Now I’d like each of you in your groups to take one minute to share what your favorite Bible story is.

Allow sharing time.

Say: Cleopas and his friend were at their destination. It looked like the stranger was going to keep on walking. “Come stay with us,” they invited. “It’s almost evening.”

Have everyone go and sit down together around the low table.

Say: So, they found themselves together at table. And when the stranger took bread…[take up the loaf of baked bread] … blessed and broke it…[break the bread] …their eyes were opened. It was Jesus! And he disappeared.

Say: Cleopas and his friend were astonished to discover that the stranger had been Jesus!

Ask: Why do you suppose Jesus didn’t let his followers recognize him? (accept all answers)
Do you suppose this ever happens to us - that we don’t recognize Jesus in our lives?

Break the loaf of bread into bits and share it with the students.

Say: We just enacted The Walk to Emmaus, a journey for two disciples.
Ask: How is this story like journeys we take in our lives?
What can help us recognize Christ on our journeys?

Say: Earlier we’d said that when Jesus broke the bread it reminded us of Communion. We have Rev.___ here to help answer some questions about Communion.

Introduce the clergy member who has joined your class and allow them to ask/answer the kid’s questions about Communion. [Note: if the kids don’t ask questions, then ask some from the list you created.]

Reflection:

Say: Jesus promised he would always be with is on our journey through life. Remember the verse in our Bible story: “Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” Luke 24:31a.

Have each student wipe their hands with a Wet Wipes or have them use Hand Sanitizer. Have them place a portion of bread dough in a loaf pan and put the pan into a zipper storage bag along with the baking instructions.

Say: Take home this loaf of bread and follow the directions for baking it. Break the bread with your family. As you break the bread, tell them the story that you have learned today.

Resources:

• Hickman, Hoyt L. United Methodists and Communion: Some Questions & Answers. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998.
• On-My-Own Reader Bible. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2004.
• “This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion.” The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. 2003. 

Written by Carol Hulbert for First United Methodist Church
120 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Copyright 2008 First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material

If you use this material, even in a modified form, please include the following reference:
Hulbert,Carol. "The Walk to Emmaus - Drama." April 2008. Place URL where lesson found inside angle brackets<>.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

The Walk to Emmaus

Storytelling Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Hear the story from three storytellers – the woman at the tomb, and two travelers who met Jesus. The students come to understand the concept of being on a journey with Jesus as they take a “walk along the road to Emmaus” (or a jaunt through the church building). [Note: 1st – 3rd graders visited this workshop.]

For scripture and objectives - see above.

NOTE: This workshop requires one “workshop leader” and three different storytellers. One storyteller is dressed as the woman outside Jesus’ tomb. The other two storytellers represent the travelers who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus. The workshop leader handles other duties including prayer, Bible story reading, discussion, and guiding the students in the activities of the lesson. A Shepherd will also be present with the children.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture for this lesson.
• Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
• Gather the following materials:
• • Adventure Bibles (for 3rd grade and up)
  • Bible story book: Bible Stories for Children (for 1st and 2nd grade)
  • Easel; appropriate marker
  • Storyteller’s scripts (see end of lesson)
  • Costumes for the storytellers
  • Sign saying “Jerusalem” pointing in one direction and “Emmaus” pointing away
  • The Humongous Book of Bible Skits (with CD of background noise) and CD Player (optional)
  • For full effect, set up a "tomb" (optional)
• The Storytellers should practice their story using the script given to them.
• The Workshop Leader should write the key Bible verse with the scripture reference on the easel.
• Put the sign out in the hallway outside the door to the room.
• Cue track 45 of the CD from the book The Humongous Book of Bible Skits. Set CD player to REPEAT.

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Gather everyone in the storytelling tent. Greet your students warmly, welcoming them to the Storytelling Workshop. Introduce yourself and any other adults.

Say: Today we will have some special guests – visitors dressed as if from Bible times to will help us to hear our story. They will tell us about the events that happened on the very first Easter. First, let’s start with prayer.

Ask for any prayer requests. Ask if anyone would like to lead the group in prayer. Be prepared to say a prayer yourself, working in prayer requests. Use the Lord’s Prayer as the ending. A suggestion: “Dear God, We are so thankful that you are with us everyday. Help us to realize that we take this journey called life, together. Help us to see you in those around us. (End with the Lord’s Prayer) Amen.”

Dig:

Ask:  What holiday did we just celebrate? (Easter)
What happened on the first Easter? (Jesus was raised from the dead)
Why is that important to celebrate Easter? (allow a few answers)

Say: It is important to celebrate because it shows God’s power. Jesus is alive! Because of this we can know that we have a chance of a new way of living. Our sins are forgiven! Isn’t it wonderful to know that God gives us a second chance even when we mess up?

Today we’re going to be hearing our Bible story from several storytellers. They will tell us what happened on the very first Easter Sunday. Let’s go over to where Jesus’ tomb is, and hear from our first storyteller.

Do:  Have the children move over to sit down outside “the tomb.”
Start the CD player.

The “woman-outside-the-tomb” takes over
Tell your story. (See script at end of lesson) When you are finished, turn the class back over to the workshop leader.

The workshop leader leads... Story reading:
Say: Thank you for sharing your story with us.

Ask: Does anyone know what else happened on that day – the first Easter – long ago, when Jesus rose from the dead? (accept a few answers – Jesus showed himself to others)

Say: Let’s go back under our tent to take a look in the Bible for our story.

Do:  Gather everyone back under the tent.

Ask:  Where do we find stories about Jesus, in the Old Testament or the New Testament?
What are the names of the first four books of the New Testament?
What do we call these four books of the Bible? (the Gospels)

For 3rd grade and up:

Make sure that everyone has access to an Adventure Bible. Have students find the Gospel of Luke.

Ask: Does everyone remember the quick way to find the New Testament? (Open the Bible at its halfway point. Take the back half and divide it in half – you will be close to the beginning of the New Testament.)
What do the Gospels tell about? (stories of Jesus’ life, his death, & how he rose again)

Say: The word “gospel” means good news. It is good news that Jesus is alive!

Do:  Have them find the story in Luke, chapter 24, verse 13.

Ask: What is the title of our story? (look in Bibles – “On the Road to Emmaus"

Do: When everyone has found the story, ask them to follow along as you read verses 13-35.

For 1st and 2nd graders:

Do:  Show the picture on page 314-315 of the book, Bible Stories for Children as you read the following story. [Consider asking the students to tell you the story instead of you reading it to them. Fill in any missing details.]

---------------------

It was the end of the first Easter day and it was getting dark. Two of Jesus’ friends were walking from Jerusalem to a small town named Emmaus. They were very sad because Jesus had died.  As they were walking, a man began to walk with them.  He asked what they were talking about.

“We were talking about Jesus,” they answered. “Haven’t you heard about what has happened in Jerusalem?   Jesus died three days ago.  Some women are saying he is not dead, but that he is alive!  We don’t understand what is going on.”

This stranger walked quietly beside the two friends. He listened to everything they said.  Then he told them some wonderful things:  “Long ago God promised to send a Savior into the world. God said that that Savior would die and that he would live again.”

When they reached the town of Emmaus, the man wanted to keep going further down the road. The friends urged him to stay with them. “The day is over. It is dark. Please stay with us.” So the man did.

They all sat down at the table for supper. The man took bread, gave thanks to God, broke the bread and gave it to them. Immediately their eyes were opened and they recognized the man. IT WAS JESUS! But then, Jesus was gone. The two friends were so amazed. They had seen Jesus alive!

The men were so excited; they ran all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the others. “It’s true!” they said. “Jesus is alive!”

For all students: Discussion

• Who did the two travelers meet along the road to Emmaus? (Jesus)
• Did the two travelers recognize Jesus when they first met him? (no)
• I wonder why they didn’t recognize him? (allow a few answers)
• When did they recognize him? (when he broke bread with them)
• Breaking bread…what does that remind you of? (Communion)

Say: When we take Communion – the bread and the grape juice – it is to remind us of what Jesus has done for us. Because he died, our sins our forgiven. When we share the bread and the cup of Communion it gives us a chance to recognize God as active in our lives because he has forgiven us.

Say: I would like us to now pretend that we are in Jerusalem. Let us pretend that it is the first Easter. We have just heard the report that Jesus’ tomb is empty. What does this mean? Let’s go on a little journey – let’s head for the village of Emmaus and see what happens.

The time of traveling:

Remind everyone that there will be no running on our little trip. Insist that you are always in the lead. Remind everyone that Emmaus was about 7 miles from Jerusalem. Head left out of the room. (Travel around your church. If weather permits and it's possible, go outside.)

We stopped by our time line...

Why are we sending kids out to look at our timeline? Well, we are mighty proud of our time line! It is a work of art! For pictures view the artist's web site.

(Click on the Murals tab and scroll down to click on First United Methodist Church in Ann Arbor.)

Say: This is what we call a “time line.” It is a way of seeing events that happened as time has passed. There are thousands of years of time pictured here. We can see events are listed on the bottom of the wall along with the dates of their approximate happening. [Point this out.]

Ask: Where can we find God in these pictures?

[There are lots of answers – here’s a hint: look for the color of peachy-orange. See it, for example, in creation, in the proclamation of Isaiah’s words (“unto us a son is born"), and see it in the time line bar during Jesus’ life. The artist purposely painted this color everywhere she saw God.]

Ask: Isn’t it good news to see that God has been involved in our history since the creation of the earth?

[Walk down to the “New Testament” part of the time line.]

Say: God became very involved in our lives when he sent his son Jesus to earth. Jesus came to teach us about God’s love.

[Point out how the story of Jesus’ life is depicted in a circle.]

Say: It is also very good news that God is still involved in our lives.

Do:  Head out and eventually meet the two men as storytellers.

Meet the other storytellers, they take over:
The travelers tell their stories.
When you are finished, turn the class back over to the workshop leader.

The workshop leader leads again...
Say: Thank you very much for visiting with us and sharing your story.

Ask: What did the two travelers do after they realized it was Jesus and he disappeared? (they went back to Jerusalem and shared the good news)

Say: Let’s go back to “Jerusalem” where we can share the good news.

Head back to the tent room:
Go back to the room by going past the Chapel and going up via the back stairs.

More discussion:

Sit everyone down under the tent.

Say: We have learned about the experience of the woman who discovered Jesus at the empty tomb. We have heard from the travelers who discovered that Jesus was walking with them. The two travelers were walking with Jesus. They didn’t realize it at first but he was there.

Say: Let’s talk about our lives as being a journey that we are walking. We started our journey when we were born. We didn’t walk at first but we learned. We walked our way through preschool and kindergarten and now we’re in __ grade (fill in the grade).

Ask: Has your journey had some bumps along the way? (accept a couple of answers)

Say: Maybe you’ve had some sad times in your life. Jesus was there with you during those sad times.

Ask: When someone talks about “walking with Jesus” – what do you suppose that means for us today? (Jesus is always with us, walking with us along our journey thru life)
How about in your lives, how do you experience having Jesus in your life – have you recognized him as being there? (be sure to share an experience of having “seen” Jesus in your life)
What can make it difficult to recognize Jesus in your life? (we forget, get distracted, get “busy")

Reflection:

Say: Let’s practice our key Bible verse from our story. It is good to have Bible verses stored in our hearts for when we are feeling the need to remember that what happened to the two travelers can happen for us too.

Repeat the key verse together a couple of times: “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” Luke 24:31a

Say: May your eyes be opened to the loving presence of Jesus in your life this week and may you share your experiences with others.

If you have extra time:
For 3rd graders and older: Have them find the key Bible verse – Luke 24:31a. Show them the scripture written on the easel. Explain that the “a” means just the first part of the verse. Have them notice that verse 31 in the Bible is longer.

For all students: Have them look in the back of the Bibles at the maps. Have them find Emmaus on the map of “Jesus’ Ministry.” Explain why there is a question mark next to the word Emmaus on the map. (Because the exact location of Emmaus is unknown.)

Resources:

Crane, Amy. WT Storytelling Lesson.” 2004.
Horn, Geoffrey and Arthur Cavanaugh. Bible Stories for Children. New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1980.  ISBN: 978-0025540606.

Story for the younger children was adapted from theheights.org preschool lessons which are no longer available on their web site.

Storytelling Scripts

For Woman outside the tomb

Hello! Have you come to look to see where Jesus was buried?

Well I can tell you, he is not here! He is alive!

I am still amazed at what has happened. Let me tell you about it.

Jesus had been killed on a cross. It was a horrible way to die. We were all so sad. We were followers of Jesus and we all couldn’t imagine life without him.

I saw them place his body in this cave. You know, a tomb -- where dead bodies are placed. There was a HUGE stone rolled in front of the entrance to the tomb. We were worried about that stone.

You see, very early on Sunday morning, the other women and I came here to the tomb. As we were walking here we were discussing how we’d roll away that stone. You see the other women and I were coming to the tomb with spices. We needed to cover Jesus’ body with the spices. But it turns out that we didn’t have to worry about the stone – it was rolled away!

Then, we saw an angel! The angel told us not to be afraid. Ha! We were terrified! Angels are always telling people to not be afraid. But then this angel told us to peek in the tomb and see that it was empty. And sure enough it was! The angel said that Jesus was alive! We didn’t know what to think.

Then the angel told us to go, and tell Jesus’ other disciples that Jesus was alive.

Well we snapped to attention at the angel’s instructions. We had been so shocked at finding the tomb empty. But now we had work to do – of course – to tell the others!

So we rushed off.

And then… who should we meet on the road… but Jesus! He was alive!

I am just so happy!

You know it is starting to make sense…(look off in the distance)

…all that Jesus has taught us.(pause, then speak slowly)

Jesus died for us so that our sins could be forgiven. What wonderful good news… meeting Jesus on the road.

== The End ==

Storytelling Script for the Men

First off…
You will meet the children “on the road” (they will have been traveling around the church a bit). You will meet them outside the... They will approach from the... You can wait in the... until you hear them coming, then go out into the hall and approach them so that it will be like you meet them on the road...

Cleopas: (excitedly) Hello! Have we got some news for you!

Other traveler: You are all followers of Jesus aren’t you?(wait for a reply) Yes. Good, then you know about him having been killed. But, we have the best news!

Cleopas: That’s right…Jesus is alive!

Other traveler: Yes! Alive! We saw him. It was so amazing he was...(you are cut off by Cleopas)

Cleopas: (impatiently) Let me tell them. We saw Jesus! (you use, pacalm yourself, and speak more slowly) We were on the road to Emmaus, that’s our hometown. We had left Jerusalem to go home. We were so sad about Jesus’ death.

Other traveler: Yes, we were just dragging along, talking about the sad events of the last few days.

Cleopas: And then suddenly, there was someone walking with us. We didn’t realize that it was Jesus.

Other traveler:(shaking your head)   don’t know how we missed noticing that it was him.

Cleopas: He asked us what we were talking about. Ha! We were kind of surprised. Where had he been that he didn’t know what had happened? I thought everyone knew!

Other traveler: So we told him everything. Including the part about some of the women who had gone to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. The women said that they’d seen angels and that they’d actually seen Jesus alive. We didn’t know what to think.

Cleopas: Ha, ha. Then this stranger…it was Jesus, but we didn’t recognize him yet…he tells us that we were being foolish! (shake your head) He reminded us what the prophets had told us – about how our Savior, the Messiah, would die – not for a crime he had committed but to bring forgiveness from God.

Other traveler: Well, in our traveling together we had reached Emmaus. This man wanted to keep going further down the road. We urged him to stay with us. So he did. He went in to eat supper with us.

Cleopas: He took the bread, (hold imaginary bread in your hands) said a prayer over it and broke the bread (break your imaginary bread)…

Other traveler: And that is when our eyes were opened. We saw that it was Jesus.

Cleopas: Then he just disappeared.

(pause, and look at each other)

Other traveler: We were so amazed. It was Jesus! He’s alive!

Cleopas: Well that’s when we realized we needed to tell the others the news – Jesus is alive!

Other traveler: Come on Cleopas, we need to be on our way…to tell more people.

(start to walk away...)

Cleopas: Isn’t it amazing…we met Jesus on the road.

== The End ==

NOTE: I had trouble finding two men who could be there on all 3 weeks of our Rotation so we ended up using just one male storyteller. Here is his script:

(excitedly) Hello! Have I got some news for you! You are all followers of Jesus aren’t you?

(wait for a reply) Yes. Good, then you know about him having been killed. But, I have the best news!…Jesus is alive!

Yes! Alive! I saw him. It was so amazing. I am so excited I am shaking. I must calm myself to be able to tell you my story.

(speaking more slowly) Cleopas and I were on the road to Emmaus, that’s our hometown. We had left Jerusalem to go home. We were so sad about Jesus’ death. We were just dragging along, talking about the sad events of the last few days. Jesus, whom we thought was to be our Savior, had been killed.

And then suddenly, there was someone walking with us. We didn’t realize that it was Jesus.

(shaking head) I don’t know how we missed noticing that it was him.

He asked us what we were talking about. Ha! We were kind of surprised. Where had he been that he didn’t know what had happened? I thought everyone knew!

So we told him everything. Including the part about some of the women who had gone to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. The women said that they’d seen angels and that they’d actually seen Jesus alive. We didn’t know what to think.

Ha, ha. Then this stranger…it was Jesus, but we didn’t recognize him yet…he tells us that we were being foolish! (shake your head) He reminded us what the prophets had told us – about how our Savior, the Messiah, had to die – not for a crime he had committed but for our sins…in order to bring forgiveness from God.

Well, in our traveling together we had reached Emmaus. This man wanted to keep going further down the road. We urged him to stay with us. So he did. He went in to eat supper with us.

He took the bread,(hold imaginary bread in your hands) said a prayer over it, and broke the bread(break your imaginary bread) …And that is when our eyes were opened. We saw that it was Jesus. Then he just disappeared.

We were so amazed. It was Jesus! He’s alive! Well that’s when we realized we needed to tell the others the news – Jesus is alive!

Well, I need to be on my way…I need to get back to tell the others about meeting Jesus on the road. (start to walk, heading down the hall towards the Sanctuary)

== The End ==

Written by Carol Hulbert for First United Methodist Church
120 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104