Theme for the Year: Witness to God’s Presence

Lesson Plan for: The Walk to Emmaus

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Memory Verse: Luke 24:30-31
“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.”

Concept:
Christ walks with us when we have lost hope. We understand more fully God’s presence with us in the hospitality of the Lord’s Supper and in the presence of the risen Christ. Christ is present in the teaching of the scriptures and the hospitality of Christian communion. The mystery of the crucifixion becomes clearer to us in the presence of the risen Christ. Christ is present whether we see him or not. We, like the two on the road to Emmaus, are often surprised by Christ’s presence with us.

Workshops to be used:

• BibleMax Theater (video) - learners will hear the story and create a news report of the event and videotape it
  
• Mouse Pad (computer) - hear story in Life of Christ CD and Walking in their Sandals CD, and then put slides of the story in the correct order in KidPix
  
• Our Acts (drama) - hear and then retell/re-enact the story in their own words
  
• Thou Art (art) - make a puzzle that has "Jesus" hidden in it
  

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Workshop Name: BibleMax Theater

Objective(s):
In this workshop, the learners will hear the story and create a news report of the event and videotape it.

Supplies:
Video camera; still camera (shepherd may take photographs as the scene is filmed); costumes (togas, scarves, etc. to simulate Middle Eastern dress); Camcorder Tricks and Special Effects by Michael Stavros

Teacher preparation:
Read the scripture. Read pp. 94-100 in Camcorder book to get direction for videotaping a “news story.”

Welcome and introductions:
Greet the children and introduce yourself. Remember that you are interacting with a different group of students each week—some may not know you. Wear your nametag and make sure that the children are wearing theirs.

Lesson Plan:
1. Read the scripture and discuss the story. Discuss particularly verses 32-34 which tells how the presence of Jesus made the travelers feel.
2. Explain to the children how this event must have been pretty big news at the time—Jesus’ body missing from the tomb and people reporting that they have seen him alive. Today, when something this big happens, we hear about it immediately through the news on TV. Tell them they are going to create a news report that might have been broadcast on TV then if there had been TV then. (There are speaking parts for four people. If there are more children, some can be people in the crowd, or the script can be adapted to accommodate more speaking roles by dividing the roles of the followers who saw Jesus on the road to Emmaus. For older children, someone can do the filming if you have extra children.)
3. Go through the script with the children and assign parts. Have them get into costume and set. If there is enough time, go through the script once before filming.
4. Do the news report, filming it.

Closure:
1. Once the news report is complete and filmed, transfer to the TV and watch it together.
2. Talk about how people would have reacted after seeing this news report. Belief or disbelief?
3. Ask the children if they have any questions. (They may ask how Jesus disappeared if he was alive! Feel free to say “I don’t know. What do you think?”)
Discuss times when the kids may have lost hope like the travelers did. How would they have felt if they knew Jesus was with them the whole time? Talk about how we might know that.

Journal Time:
Help the shepherd pass out the journals. Have the children complete the following:
If I saw this story on the TV news, I would feel . . .
because . . .

Closing:
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. We know that we can count on Jesus to “walk with us” when we need him to. Amen.

Dismissal:
Have the children help you tidy up the workshop space and put costumes back. Dismiss them with instructions about where they are to go.

Adjustments for younger/older children:
Depending on the number of children you have, you may need to run the camera for filming. You will especially need to do so for the beginners. Help non-readers to ad lib their parts based on their memory of the story.
Juniors can run the camera if needed. Primaries can if they are experienced with this.

References:
Stavros, Michael. Camcorder Tricks and Special Effects. Amherst Media, Inc. Amherst, NY. 1995.
The Book for Teens, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, 1999.


Script for Walk to Emmaus

News Anchor: We interrupt this program with a special report.
Good evening. I am Demetrius, son of Aaron, with World News Tonight. Three days after Jesus of Nazareth was crucified and buried, his body has disappeared from the tomb, and there have been several reports of “sightings” of the risen Jesus, alive and well. For one eyewitness account of such a sighting, we go now to Jacob, son of Matthias, with a live report from Emmaus.

Pan to reporter in mirror

Reporter (Jacob): Thank you Demetrius. I’m here in Emmaus, a small village about seven miles from Jerusalem, at the home of Cleopas (Cle-a-pas), who claims that Jesus was in his home just last night.

Stop camera. Move to Cleopas, Friend, and Reporter. Start camera.

Reporter: Mr. Cleopas, when did Jesus arrive at your house?

Cleopas: My friend and I were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. We were very sad that Jesus was dead and all our hopes for a Messiah were gone when suddenly, out of nowhere, this guy walks up behind us and asks us “What’s going on?”

Friend: We couldn’t believe he hadn’t heard about Jesus’s arrest and crucifixion. We had no idea he was Jesus. He just didn’t look like him at first.

Cleopas: I said to him, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened in the last few days.”*

Friend: The dude says, “What things?”

Cleopas (interrupting his friend): But you know what was so strange? I didn’t feel so sad anymore after he joined us. I started feeling really peaceful.

Friend: Yeah, me too. I got this really warm feeling.

Cleopas: We told him how the women had gone to the tomb and found his body was gone--disappeared--nothing. The he starts in on us saying, “You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the scriptures. Wasn’t is clearly predicted by the prophets that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his time of glory?”*

Friend: And then the dude started quoting scriptures off the top of his head--the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the scriptures said about the Messiah. Man, he explained everything so clearly. I understood him better than any Rabbi I had ever heard! I hadn’t felt such peace in I don’t know when.

Cleopas: Still, we had no idea that he was Jesus--because Jesus was dead, of course. When we got into Emmaus, I asked him to come to my house for supper and offered him a place to spend the night. Since it was getting so late at night, he gladly accepted.

Friend: Then the coolest thing happened. He took the bread, asked God’s blessing on it, broke us, and gave it to us.
Cleopas: Yeah, and all of a sudden, just out of nowhere, we recognized him--it was Jesus!

Friend: And in almost the same instant, he vanished--poof--just completely disappeared.

Stop camera. Pan back to reporter in mirror.

Reporter: Well, there you have it, Demetrius, two very astonished people who say that Jesus of Nazareth, dead just three days ago, is now miraculously alive again.

News Anchor: Thank you, Jacob, for that live report from Emmaus. (Close back in on anchor at desk.) Could it be true? Could a man who was convicted and crucified have risen from the dead? There are two men in Emmaus who are convinced it’s true. We are getting reports in the news desk of many others who claim to have seen Jesus alive again. We will keep you updated as other reports come in to us.
For World News Tonight, I’m Demetrius, son of Aaron.

*The Book for Teens, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, 1999.

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Workshop Name: Mouse Pad

Objective(s):
In this workshop, the learners will hear the story and answer some questions about it on the computer. They will learn about the place Emmaus and put slides of the story in the correct order.

Supplies:
Life of Christ CD, loaded and ready on one computer; Walking in their Sandals CD, loaded and ready on one computer; copy of map worksheet for each student; KidPix3 CD, loaded and ready on two computers; pencils.

Teacher preparation:
Familiarize yourself with the software used in this workshop. Make sure the computers are turned on. Load the software as stated in “Supplies” above and get them ready as in the station instructions attached. Read the Bible story of the walk to Emmaus. Read over the background material included in your teacher packet.

Welcome and introductions:
Greet the children and introduce yourself. Remember that you are interacting with a different group of students each week—some may not know you. Wear your nametag and make sure that the children are wearing theirs.

Lesson Plan:
1. Begin in the outer blue room. Help the children find the story in their Bibles. For beginners, read the story to them. For primaries and juniors, have them take turns reading parts of the story.
2. Tell the children that today they will rotate to 3 different computer stations and do 3 different activities, all related to the story. The 3 stations are Life of Christ station, Walking in their Sandals station, and KidPix station.
3. Assign students to stations in the Mouse Pad. If you have more than 4 students, ask them to pair up and take turns operating the computers. Be available to assist at any of the stations. The instructions for each station are in attachments to this lesson. You should allow 7-8 minutes maximum per station, then have them go to another one. (You may need to help them complete a station if they are having trouble with it.) All students should complete all stations by about 10:15.
4. After all students have completed all stations, return to the outer blue room. Give each student 2 pieces of wood and a paint brush or rag. Let the students put their name on the back of both pieces, then let them stain their wood pieces. Do not tell them what they are for. If they ask, tell them these pieces of wood will be used next week in the art workshop, but the product is a mystery. They will understand then.

Closure:
When all have finished staining their wood pieces, ask the children to reflect on the questions raised in the Life of Christ station:
- Why do you think the disciples did not recognize Jesus at first?
- Why do you think it was important for Jesus to eat to show he was physically with the disciples?

Journal Time:
Help the shepherd pass out the journals. Ask the children respond to the following:
How do you know that Jesus walks with you?
What do you think the wood pieces are for?

Closing:
Say a prayer of your own to close the workshop, or use the following:
Loving God, we are glad that Jesus walks with us every day. Help us always to remember that you are with us. Amen.

Dismissal:
Have the children help you tidy up the workshop space. Dismiss them with instructions about where they are to go.

Adjustments for younger/older children:
The beginners will need help at each of the computer stations. Be sure you or the shepherd can help them answer questions at the Life of Christ station and at the Walking in their Sandals station especially. You may even want to rotate to those stations as a group and do the activities there together. They will be able to handle the KidPix station better without much help but will need help initially in moving the slides around.
Be sure you are available to the primaries and the juniors, too. They may need help with the stations at times. The shepherd may be able to help them answer some of the questions, too. Feel free to rotate to the stations as a group here, too, but these usually like to operate the computer themselves.
Since we may need extra stained pieces of wood for those absent during the Computer Lab workshop, let the Juniors stain extra pieces—at least 2 extra pieces each.

References:
Web sites used for ideas:
www.sundaysoftware.com
www.rotation.com
Spence, Nancy and Connell, Jane. From BC to PC. Abingdon Press. Nashville, Tennessee. 1998.


Attachment 1—Instructions for Life of Christ computer station

To set up the station, insert the Life of Christ CD into the drive. Double-click on the Life of Christ icon. Leave the screen on the sign-in page. Be sure the speakers are on and the sound is up enough to hear at this station.

For the students to use the station:
1. Click on “New Exploration” and add the student’s name at the bottom. Then click on “Start Exploration.”
2. Click on the crate that says “King’s Oranges.”
3. Click on the lesson group 34-40--“Jesus is Alive Forever and Ever!”
4. Click on lesson 35—“The Resurrected Christ Visits Friends and Followers.”
5. Listen carefully to the story. If you need to hear the story again, click on “No” and return to step 4. If not, click on “Yes” and take the quiz about the story. As you take the quiz, click on the circle for your answer. You will know immediately if it is correct. If not, you will see the correct answer. Click on the forward arrow to go to the next question. (“Back” will take you out of the quiz.)
6. At the end of the quiz, click on “Return to Lesson Index.” Then click on “Back”, two times, to get back to the office scene. Move the mouse to the bottom left corner, and click on “Exit.” Leave the computer here for the next student.


When the last student completes this station, click on “Quit” to exit the program.


Attachment 2—Instructions for Walking in their Sandals computer station

To set up the station, insert the Walking in their Sandals CD 1 into the drive. The program will begin automatically. Leave the screen on the first map. Have the map worksheets and pencils beside the computer station. You do not need sound here.

For the students to use the station:
1. Take a worksheet and follow the instructions on it to locate Emmaus.
2. Click on “II. Historical and Biblical Significance.” Read the story.
3. Click on “Home” at the bottom and leave the computer here for the next student.


When the last student completes this station, click on “Exit” to exit the program.


Attachment 3—Instructions for the KidPix computer station


To set up the station, insert a KidPix CD into the drives. Click on “Start KidPix”. Click on “Jan” and “Go.” Leave the station on the blank screen. You do not need sound with this station.

For the students to use the station:
1. Click on the right arrow in the bottom right corner of the screen. This takes you to the Slide Show portion of the program. Click on the green right arrow to see the slide show as it is. (The slides are in the wrong order.) Read each slide as it comes up. Click the mouse anywhere on the slide to move to the next one.
2. Rearrange the slides to put them in the correct order according to the story. To move a slide, left click on it and drag it to an empty slide slot while holding down the mouse button. Release the button to leave the slide in the new slot.
3. When you are satisfied with your arrangement, click on the green arrow to see the slide show again. If it is in the proper order, you are finished. If not, rearrange them until they are.
4. When you are finished, click on the right arrow in the bottom right corner of the screen. Click “NO” when asked to save the changes. Leave the computer here for the next student.

When the last student completes this station, click on the door in the middle of the right side to exit the program.

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Workshop Name: Our Acts

Objective(s):
In this workshop, the learners will re-enact the story of “The Walk to Emmaus” and will learn what “the stranger’s words” might have meant and how they are important to our understanding of Jesus today.

Supplies:
The drama room will be set up with a “road” and a “house” where Jesus ate with his followers; pillows (for listening to the story and to be used in the house); costumes (togas, belts, and head coverings); newsprint and marker, either on an easel or on the wall; three candles (for each character when it is getting late); CD player; sad and happy CD’s (for mood music/musical theatre).

Teacher preparation:
Become familiar with the story.

Welcome and introductions:
Greet the children and introduce yourself. Remember that you are interacting with a different group of students each week—some may not know you. Wear your nametag and make sure that the children are wearing theirs.

Lesson Plan:
1. Gather the children on the big pillows in the drama room and make sure they are settled before reading the story. Remind them that in this DRAMA workshop they will become the actors in the retelling of the story.
2. Before you begin the reading, ask: “What things do we need to be looking for as the story is read?” Help them think of things like the following if they don’t respond right away:
the place (or places) where the story happens;
the characters in the story - how many? what are their names? do they know each other? how are they feeling when the story begins?
the plot – what happens in each part of the story? (You might want to take time here to discuss what Jesus may have meant as he was reciting scriptures. This is a key part of the plot that we don’t want to overlook).
the conclusion – how does the story end?
3. As you prepare to read, remind the children that this is a time to listen carefully. Read the story with feeling!
4. On a big sheet of paper (on stand or on the wall) have a volunteer write the key elements after the story is read. Ask for a volunteer to be the “scribe.” Then ask the class to help the “scribe” remember the important elements of the story (the place, people’s names, etc.) This will help prepare them for the retelling. Note: With the Beginner class, ask the shepherd to be the scribe.
5. Tell the class that they will be telling the story in their own words and actions. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Someone who doesn’t want to be an actor can introduce the play to the audience, telling who is playing which parts, and announcing the title of the play.
6. Once the class has the elements of the story in their minds, ask for volunteers to be the various characters. Remember this is THEIR retelling. Guide them if they totally forget what happens next, but otherwise, let them find their way through the story.
7. If time allows, have them act out the story more than once, having different children play various parts of the story. Or, if they want to retell it without changing characters, that’s OK, too. Be flexible as long as they are involved in the process.
8. See adjustments for different age groups for ideas about working with the older children.

Closure:
Gather the children and ask them how it felt to become the characters in the story. Let them respond without asking them specific questions (unless they need the help.)

Journal Time:
Ask the shepherd to pass out their journals. Ask them to write an answer to the following:
If Jesus appeared to you, what do you think he might say?
NOTE: The Beginner class has a 5-7 age range. Give them the option of drawing a picture about the story or be prepared to help them with words they can’t spell.

Closing:
Say a prayer of your own to close the workshop, or use the following:
Loving God, we are glad you are with us through Jesus and that you share in all aspects of our lives. Help us to share ourselves with others. Amen.

Dismissal:
Have the children help you tidy up the workshop space, especially with things that need rearranging (pillows back in corner, drama area straightened, etc.) Dismiss them with instructions about where they are to go.

Adjustments for younger/older children:
Take note of the special instructions that pertain to the Beginner class in the lesson above.
It may be much easier to get the younger children to act out the story than for the older children. If you see that spontaneous acting is difficult for the juniors (they are entering the self-conscious age), take the time to have the older kids write a script together, including prompts, lighting adjustments, props, cueing the music, etc. Encourage them to act it out after they are finished.

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Workshop Name: Thou Art

Objective(s):
In this workshop, the learners will hear the story of “The Walk to Emmaus” and realize Christ’s presence with us.

Supplies:
Bibles, 2 wooden bases (stained the week before in Computer Workshop) per child, puzzle pieces separated in baggies or trays, glue, aprons or plastic bags cut to fit child like a smock. (optional supplies for older kids: “4 dot Jesus” illusion, book of optical illusions, and magic eye pictures).

Teacher preparation:
Become familiar with story and placement of materials.

Welcome and introductions:
Greet the children and introduce yourself. Remember that you are interacting with a different group of students each week—some may not know you. Wear your nametag and make sure that the children are wearing theirs.

Lesson Plan:
1. Find the selected scripture from the Children’s Bible. Read or retell the story.
2. Ask, “What do you think is the main idea of the message of this story. You should have several responses. Accept all answers. Lead the children to the fact that Jesus is with us even if we don’t realize it.
3. Show the students the completed puzzle and help them to see the word “Jesus”. It is easier to see if it is not close to the person viewing it. It may help to trace the letters with your finger.
4. Have the students put on aprons or plastic bags.
5. Demonstrate to students about choosing one piece of the puzzle at a time. The piece of wood it is to be glued on will be marked with an “X” on the side that is to go down.
Have them place the piece (only one piece) on the puzzle in the way it is to be glued. Do not allow them to glue the piece until an adult sees that it is placed correctly.
6. Dot a small amount of glue on the puzzle piece. There is an “X” on the side that is to hold the glue.
7. Carefully place the piece on the base and hold it for a second to let it begin to dry in place.
8. Follow steps 5-7 for each of the pieces of the puzzle.
9. When all of the pieces are aligned properly and glued on to the base, demonstrate how to attach the puzzle to the wooden base with screws. Assist children as needed.
10. See adjustments for older children at the end of this lesson.

Closure:
Ask children what they will do with their puzzle and what this activity helped them to learn about the story. Invite them to mention a time in their life when they were surprised by the presence of Jesus Christ.

Journal Time:
Help the shepherd pass out the journals. Ask the children to respond to the following: “What I want to remember from this story is …..”

Closing:
Say a prayer of your own to close the workshop, or use the following:
Thank you God for the times in our lives when we are surprised by Jesus Christ’s presence with us. Amen.

Dismissal:
Have the children help you tidy up the workshop space. Dismiss them with instructions about where they are to go.

Adjustments for younger/older children:
Younger children may need more help placing the puzzle pieces correctly and using a screwdriver. They will need to be reminded to use only a small amount of glue.

Optional: Older children may finish this project faster than the younger ones. After they finish, encourage them to try many of the optical illusions available in the room (4 dot Jesus, magic eye posters, optical illusion books). Tie this into the lesson by helping the kids see that we are often surprised by what is hidden just like the 2 men on the Emmaus road were surprised by the “hidden” Christ becoming visible. If they get this, they should remember the story every time they see their wooden puzzle and whenever they see an optical illusion.


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Exchange Volunteer edited post to add a summary of the workshops.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Amy Crane,

I realize this lesson is from 6 years ago but I like the 'thou Art puzzle idea. Does anyone have more detailed instructions for this.

Marilyn (alias Meggimuggins) has attempted to contact the poster of the lesson set above to ask about the art workshop. She hasn't heard anything yet.
--Carol

Software Update:
A new program has come out since this lesson was posted that covers Road to Emmaus much better and longer than Life of Christ. It's called "Jesus in Space" CD.