Jesus on the Road to Emmaus
Augustana Lutheran Church
Saint James, Minnesota

Additional material presented in this overview portion written by Pastor Ted Kunze.

Workshops in this session:

Art - Eggshell Mosaic Cross

Computer - Students will create an Emmaus Road they can walk from computer to computer where they will see and hear each “step” in the Emmaus story, in order, as told by The Life of Christ CD.

Cooking - children will make “resurrection rolls”

Drama - children act out story using Big Action Bible Skits: New Testament, 1998, Group Publishing, Loveland, CO. Skit #10, “Jesus is Alive”

Movies - Video: Jesus Ascends Into Heaven

Science - 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. Exchange Volunteer notes: see this lesson at: Writing Team Science lesson.

Storytelling - Experience the story of the road to Emmaus with their whole bodies—including all five senses

Bible Basis: Luke 24:13-35
Memory Verse: Matthew 18:20 (NIV), Jesus said, “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

What is Going On Here?
see Writing Team Bible Background

Why Is This Story Important?
First and foremost, this is an Easter story. As such, it tells us of God’s power over sin and death. We have the witness of Cleopas and his fellow traveler that Jesus truly was alive again. This is the Easter story our children will be studying this year.

Secondly, this story speaks of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. Jesus’ death and resurrection was not a tragedy that had to be fixed, but part of God’s plan from the beginning. In Luke 24:26 Jesus said that it was “necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter his glory.” It was only after they were through that trauma of the crucifixion that the disciples could begin to see the hand of God at work in those events.

Thirdly, this story shows the power of God’s Word. At a difficult time, Jesus points them back to the writings of the Law and the prophets for a deeper understanding of God’s will. Later, the disciples reported, “Wasn’t it like a fire burning within us when he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (v. 32). God’s Spirit continues to speak to us through the Bible, the Word of God, so that we might better understand God and God’s will for us.

Finally, this story points to the importance of Christian fellowship and, possibly, Communion. As the two Christian were discussing matters of faith and life, Christ came to them to guide and comfort them—as the risen Christ continues to do for us. It was as they broke bread with Jesus that they finally recognized the risen Lord in their midst. Holy Communion continues to reveal the risen Lord to us, as we receive his body and blood.

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Jesus on the Road to Emmaus: Art Workshop
How Great Thou Art for Grades 4-7
Augustana Lutheran Church
Saint James, Minnesota
(this lesson plan was complied by Kirsten)

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:
See the Leader Preparation notes including the list of materials to gather at this lesson.

Opening:
Introduce yourself. Take attendance…etc. Start class with a prayer:
Loving Father, Thank you for making yourself known to the disciples. Help us to walk with you and know you too. In the name of Jesus, our risen Savior, AMEN.

Follow the lesson plan referenced above from the "Dig In" to the point where the question is asked: "How did the disciples feel after they'd see the risen Christ?" Add the following...

Supper at Emmaus,
by Caravaggio
Show the students the print called Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio.
Point out how light falls sharply from the top left to illuminate the scene. In other words, the light captures the climax of the story, the moment when seeing becomes recognizing.

Then continue with the lesson referenced above through the "directions for art project."

Additional discussion while kids work:
Say: We are using eggshells to form our crosses today. There is a reason for that. (Allow the students to share their ideas why eggs symbolize Easter.)
An egg represents the promise of new life, and these empty eggshells also remind us of the empty tomb.
Does anyone know how and when eggs came to be a symbol of Easter?
In cold climates, chickens, ducks, and other poultry stop laying eggs in late fall. Centuries ago, this meant less food for the long, cold, frostbiting winter. Now imagine the people’s joy when the poultry suddenly began laying eggs again about the same time as the celebration of Passover and of the Resurrection! Today we understand the reason chickens stop laying eggs during the dead of winter. But these hungry medieval people had no explanation for why the eggs reappeared at Easter time; they simply accepted the eggs as a gift from God. Miraculous food appeared during the hungriest time of the year—in Russia it was called the “Miracle of the Eggs.” Russians make the world’s most beautiful Easter eggs, and this tradition has spread around the world.

Continue using the above referenced lesson under the "additional discussion while kids work." Use the following Journal Time and Closing.

Journal Time:
Pass out the student’s journals.
Say: Let’s remember always the message of the cross.

Write in your journals something new you learned today about the Resurrection of Jesus.

How can we “know” or “recognize” Jesus’ presence in our lives today?

Closing:
Thank you God for Easter every day. Thank you for helping us to recognize you, with us in our lives every day. And all God’s children said, Amen.

References:

Supper at Emmaus, a painting by Caravaggio b. 1571 (can be found and printed many places on the internet.)

Thompason, Jean and Nancy Gordon. The wonder and history of the Easter egg: The Resurrection Eggs.

Hulbert, Carol. "The Walk to Emmaus: Old Art Lesson." 2002. posted on rotation.org

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Jesus on the Road to Emmaus: Computer Workshop
The Church Mouse for Grades 4-6
Augustana Lutheran Church
Saint James, Minnesota
(this lesson plan was compiled by Alison)

Objectives:

The kids will see the parallel between our “story road” and their “story road.”

The students will more fully understand why Jesus had to die and be resurrected.

The students will understand the struggles and pressures the disciples were facing.

See "The Lesson in a Nutshell" at Writing Team Computer - 1

Then follow the "Preparation" section of this lesson and gather the materials listed. (We will use The Life of Christ CD.) Include in the materials a large sheet of paper for the “Reflection Wall”

Open:
Welcome each of the students to the Church Mouse. Invite the students to sit down and read the story (Luke 24:13-35). The students may want to take turns reading the passages.

Then follow the above mentioned lesson from "On a large piece of paper, divide the story into scenes." follow this lesson through to "Assign a scene to each computer."

Some students may need or want to do more than one scene.
-Insert the “Life of Christ” CDROM.
-Select “New Explorer.”
-Type in the student’s name.
-(If the student’s name is already on the list, select “back” and then select “continue exploration.” The student should then select his/her name.)
-When the scene of the desk and study appear, click on the large wooden crate to the right of the computer.
-Click on “34-40-Jesus is Alive Forever.”
-Select #35.
-Have the students go through the entire lesson, clicking on the play symbol to keep going.
-Have the student also take the quiz that follows.
-When the student has done the lesson and quiz once, have him/her go back and press pause on the scene that he/she is assigned.

Include the "Trimming Ideas" in the above mentioned lesson.

Present
When all scenes are complete, have the students walk the “Emmaus Road” starting with the computer one. You may want to read from the Bible, or simply press play to begin and then pause to end at each computer’s scene.

-When the class has completed the walk, invite other classes (grades k-3) that weren’t in the computer rotation this time to walk the road. Also invite the adult Sunday school or those who are at coffee hour.

Closure and Journal
Ask the questions that are found in the "Reflect-Closure" portion of the above mentioned lesson.

Students can ponder these questions and then place their thoughts on the “Reflection Wall.” The “Reflection Wall” is simply a large sheet of paper attached to a wall and made to look like a brick wall with graffiti writing on it. The students can choose to sign their thoughts or not.

Closing Prayer: Risen Lord, we thank you for the time, we have shared together this morning learning about your resurrection and your promise of everlasting life. Help us to look for you in our lives and to share your love with others. Amen.

References:
MacQueen, Neil. "Emmaus: Computer Workshop." 2004. posted on rotation.org

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Jesus on the Road to Emmaus: Cooking
Our Daily Bread for Grades 4-7
Augustana Lutheran Church
Saint James, Minnesota
(Slightly adapted by Alison from a lesson by Cindy Merten.)

Workshop Objectives:

In this workshop, students will particularly explore the way in which the travelers recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread and examine ways we too can open our eyes and recognize God’s presence and activity in our lives.

Refer to the Writing Team Cooking Lesson for this lesson.

Journal Time: Write a paragraph about a time when someone showed Jesus to you by doing something kind or helpful for you. If time allows, share this with the group.

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Jesus on the Road to Emmaus: Drama (The Book of Acts)
Augustana Lutheran Church
Saint James, Minnesota

(Lesson plan prepared by Pastor Ted Kunze using drama from Christine Yount, Big Action Bible Skits: New Testament, Group Publishing, Loveland, CO 1998).

Memory Verse: Matthew 18:20 (NIV), Jesus said, “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Bible Basis: Luke 24:13-35

Objectives:

Students will learn the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples on the road to Emmaus by first hearing the story told, and then acting it out at least once.

Students will experience the surprise, and the joy of Easter

Students will receive a “prayer rock” as a reminder of Jesus’ victory over death.

Materials:

the script (found in the book mentioned above)

Cardboard box “tomb” with cardboard door

1 loaf of unsliced bread each week

Small table (such as card table) to hold the bread and represent the place to which the disciples were going

“Prayer Rocks”

Several child-sized robes, including 2 white ones for the angels

A white sheet to symbolize a burial cloth, placed inside the “tomb”

Room Set-Up:
This story has three different “scenes” where it takes place. Write, “Welcome to Emmaus” on the blackboard, and put the small table there, with the bread on top of the table. The “tomb” will be in the corner diagonally opposite the door, with the white cloth sitting inside. The corner to the left of the window will be the “home base” for the disciples.

Opening:
Welcome the students warmly as they arrive. Tell them, “Today we’re going to be learning about and acting out some of the things that happened on the very first Easter Sunday, the day that Jesus was raised from the dead. It’s an important story because part of it shows us God’s power over death, and teaches us that the things that happened to Jesus were all a part of God’s plan. Let’s begin with prayer:
Dear Jesus, we thank you that you have the power over death. Be with us today as we act out this story, that we might learn more about the day that you were raised from the dead, and surprised your friends with that good news. Let all of God’s children say…AMEN.

Hearing the Story:
Before we act out the story, I am going to read you the story so that you will know what is going to happen. Then we’ll assign parts, and get into costumes!
(Read the story from the script, using as much feeling as possible.)

The Play:
Characters Needed:
Jesus
Peter
Two angels
Women (2 or 3)
Disciples (2 for road to Emmaus; any number of others)

Assign parts for the play, and allow time for students to put on costumes. The angels should wear white robes, and wait by the “tomb” for their announcement! Point out the areas where the different scenes will take place--the place the disciples were staying, the tomb, and the “inn” at Emmaus. Note that while the script calls for transparencies to illustrate various scenes, our space limitations won’t make that work very well so students will have to use their vivid imaginations. As the narrator/director, you should be in the center of the room. Explain to the students that this time as you read the story, they should act out the scenes as you read. Have fun with it!
Act out the play, using the script from Christine Yount, Big Action Bible Skits: New Testament, Group Publishing, Loveland, CO 1998) ISBN 0-7644-2062-3

Review:

How do you think Jesus’ followers felt when they discovered that he had come back to life three days after he died?

How would you have felt?

What would you have done if you had been one of Jesus’ followers when they first discovered the empty tomb?

Why do you think Jesus’ friends had trouble recognizing him on the road?

How does Jesus’ coming back to life give you hope for the future?

“Resurrection Rocks”
Do you remember what served as the door closing up Jesus’ tomb? (a big rock). How did the ladies move the stone? (They didn’t have to—It was already moved and Jesus was alive when they got there!)
As a reminder of Jesus’ great victory over death, I am giving you each a “resurrection rock.” You will see that it has the cross of Jesus on one side, to remind you that Jesus died for you, but you can also remember that the rock couldn’t hold Jesus in the tomb. He is alive again!

Journal Question:
Let’s think about some of the scenes in today’s story about Easter. The women discovered Jesus’ empty tomb. The disciples met Jesus while they were walking. And then Jesus ate bread with them in the city of Emmaus. Draw a picture or write a little bit about one of those scenes, and how the people might have felt.

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, we thank you that you are stronger than death, and that everything that happened to you was done by God’s plan to help us. When we think about you, help us to be as happy as the disciples were on that first Easter morning. Let all of God’s children say….AMEN.

Play script taken from:
Christine Yount, Big Action Bible Skits: New Testament, 1998, Group Publishing, Loveland, CO. Skit #10, “Jesus is Alive,” pp. 26-27.

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Jesus on the Road to Emmaus
Augustana Lutheran Church
Saint James, Minnesota
Movie Rotation (Holywood and Vine)
Volunteer author: Kirsten Freitag, Augustana Lutheran Church, Saint James, MN
Memory Verse: Matthew 18:20 (NIV), Jesus said, “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Bible Basis: Luke 24:13-35

Workshop Objectives:

• To know that Jesus appeared to his followers after his crucifixion. They did not always recognize him immediately but once they did, this helped them understand and believe the resurrection.
  
• To learn that we too should pray: “Marana tha. Come Lord Jesus.”
  

Leader Preparation:
Read the scripture for this lesson. Read the overview material provided for this lesson. Gather the following materials:
Video: Jesus Ascends Into Heaven, A Kingdom Without Frontiers 1997, 30 min.
Freshly popped popcorn and water, juice, or soda pop.
Opening Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven, you are holy and powerful. Thank you for another day to be together with our friends and learn about how you want us to live. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
Movie Time:
Say:
Jesus’ disciples (those who followed Him) saw their Master perform many miracles. Not long before Jesus was put to death on the cross, they even watched as the Lord raised their friend Lazarus from the dead. However, his followers still did not really understand the promise that Jesus would rise from the dead after three days.
This morning in our movie we will see Jesus appear to his followers several times. Watch to see how the disciples react with surprise and amazement when Jesus comes back to them.
Journal Time:
Pass out the student’s journals along with some colored pencils.
Say:
The movie ends as Jesus ascends (rises) to heaven to be with God the Father. Two angels tell the disciples to watch for Jesus to come again to us on earth. The disciples are taught to say: Marana tha. Come Lord Jesus.
Maranatha
is actually two Aramaic words. Dividing it as Marana tha means, "Our Lord, come." Maran atha means, "Our Lord has come." It reveals the expectant hope in which early Christians lived, watching for the imminent return of Christ.
Draw a picture in your journals of how you think it will be when Jesus comes to earth again.
Ask:
The two men walking to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus right away. Do you think that we will know Jesus when he returns to earth?
Say:
Let’s close by saying together Marana tha. Come Lord Jesus. Marana tha. Come Lord Jesus.

Jesus on the Road to Emmaus: Storytelling Workshop (The Parable Palace)
Augustana Lutheran Church
Saint James, Minnesota

Lesson Plan from the Rotation.org writing team; Amy Crane. Adapted by Pastor Ted Kunze

Objectives:
Students will:

Experience the story of the road to Emmaus with their whole bodies—including all five senses: hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste

Learn that Jesus appeared to several people after he rose from the dead

Discover that a familiar picture in our church portrays this story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus

Learn that Jesus’ life and ministry fulfilled several Old Testament prophecies.

Materials Needed:
Bibles (one for each student in the coat room and in the classroom)
This script (or your notes or memory)
Bread machine and ingredients for making bread
Art on the wall in the Education Wing entry (including extra pictures from the internet)
CD or cassette of soft music or nature sounds and player to play them on
Pencils/journals for each student

Advance Preparation:
Read the Bible Background, and this lesson plan thoroughly.

Start the bread machine early enough so that the bread will be done in time to be eaten in class. Pull the blinds and turn out the lights in the room, so that it will be as dark as possible when students arrive later.

Decide where you will go walking and make sure that your supplies are where you will need them. Notice that the normal “Parable Palace” story-telling room will be the destination of your walk, not the starting point!

Become familiar enough with the story so that you can tell the story while walking with minimal need to refer to your notes. Make sure you practice reading/telling the story with lots of feeling -- there is both great sadness and great joy in the story.

Put prophecy passages on cards for the older children to read or mark them in the Bible. Include passages such as: Micah 5:2, Isaiah 7:14, Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 118:22, Psalm 41:9, Psalm 16:10, and Psalm 78:2.

Introducing the Lesson
(Gather in the coat room off the narthex)
Greet the students warmly. Say, “You will notice that we are starting our lesson in a different place today. This is because we are going to experience the story today not just with our ears (listening), but with our whole bodies. Since our story takes place while some people are on a walk, we will be going for a walk. Before we get to the story, though, let’s begin with prayer.

Let us pray: Dear God, We thank you that you won the victory over sin and death by raising Jesus from the dead. Jesus’ friends were surprised when he appeared with them. Surprise us with your presence in class today, and every day! And all God’s children said…AMEN.

Reading the scripture:
Luke 24:13-35

Pass out the Bibles, and show the children how to find Luke near the beginning of the New Testament. Explain that the New Testament is the stories and letters that relate to Jesus' life and death and resurrection and the things that take place after that. It is in the back part of the Bible and begins with the four Gospels -- the Good News stories about Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

After all of the children have found Luke 24, ask a volunteer to read verses 1-8. Ask, “What do we call this day when Jesus was raised from the dead?” (Easter) Now skip down to verse 13, where today’s story begins. When does this story take place? (“that same day”—Easter.) After you have looked at that verse, have them close their Bibles and set them aside. Tell them you will be telling the story as they listen and experience it.

Tell the story
verse by verse to make sure the children understand the story using the props and sensory experiences as indicated in the following script. If there are unfamiliar words, explain them. (If you aren't sure if a word is familiar, ask the children what the word means. You may be surprised that some words, which you think the children understand, are actually unfamiliar to them. Have a dictionary handy and use it if necessary so that the children will know that even adults need help understanding and clarifying some things.)

SCRIPT FOR STORYTELLING THE EMMAUS JOURNEY

[Before you start reading, tell the class you are going on a journey and ask them to stay with you. Read the following verses as you walk. Your next “station” will be the Emmaus picture in the entry into the Education Wing. If weather permits, walk a little outside to get there. Or, choose a route in the building to get there.]

Tell verses 13-16.

(Stop reading at the end of verse 16 and talk about what sorts of things they may have been talking about (crucifixion, women alleging Jesus is still alive), how the walkers might have felt, and possible reasons why they did not recognize Jesus. After you have arrived at the Education Wing entry, point out that the framed picture on the wall is a picture of Jesus and the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Ask if the students had noticed the picture before and realized what story it told. Point out the other pictures temporarily on the wall. They are pictures by artists from various countries giving their interpretation of different scenes in this story. See if they know what is going on in the different pictures—this should be easier as the month goes along and they have already heard the story a few times. Allow time for any discussion about the pictures. Continue telling the story, with the students standing there.)

Tell verses 17-24.

[Ask the students, "Do you think these two travelers believed that the women saw angels and that Jesus is alive?"]

Tell verses 25-26.

[Walk towards the normal Story-Telling classroom where the bread has been baking and which should be filled with the bread smell. Again, keep the children grouped together and listening as you continue to read/tell the following scripture—perhaps in the chapel area outside the classroom.]

Tell verses 27-29.

[Sit down in the classroom, with lights still off and the blinds closed. Continue the story, making sure the loaf of bread is available to you.]

Tell verse 30.

[Teacher takes bread, holds it up as if blessing it, breaks off small pieces, and pass some to everyone. If possible, one teacher should read while the other one does the actions.]

Read verse 31: Then their eyes were opened...

[Turn on lights and open blinds!]

Read...and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. Read verses 32-35.

[Have everyone drop their bread (if not done eating) and ‘run' (walk fast) back to the sanctuary, where they began the day in music. Adult study should be going on. Those adults can represent the other disciples. Tell the students to share with the adults that good news, "The Lord is risen indeed!" They should also tell everyone you pass in the hallway and all shout it together one you have returned to your classroom.]

Digging Deeper
See the "Dig - Main Content" portion of this lesson.

Reflection/Meditation
See the "Reflect-Closure" portion of the above lesson. Do until this line: "Tell me now, what did you hear? What did you feel? What do you think?"

Journal Time
Today in your journal I ask you to write about what how you experienced the journey on the road to Emmaus as we walked today, or something you thought about or felt during our meditation time.

Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus, we thank you that you once came to Cleopas and his friend to let them know that you were alive, and that what happened to you was always part of God’s plan. Help us to know your presence with us, too, especially when we are with other Christians and hear your Word. Let all of God’s children say, AMEN.

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved.

Resources
Crane, Amy. "Rotation.org Writing Team: Emmaus - Storytelling." 2004 http://rotation.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/245607885/m/146607885

Road to Emmaus artwork printed out for the wall display comes from:

American: Christ on the Road to Emmaus, c. 1725/1730
http://www.nga.gov/cgi-bin/pinfo?Object=50410+0+none

Les Pelerins d’Emmaus, by Mathieu Le Nain, Louvre, http://www.cartelen.louvre.fr/cartelen/visite?srv=obj&o...el_14537_23036_p000…

Hanna Cheriyan Varghese – Malaysia: Their Eyes Were Opened
http://www.asianchristianart.org/profile/HVarghese/pages/hanna13.html

The Road to Emmaus and Supper at Emmaus, by He Qi, China, http://www.heqiarts.com/gallery/gallery3/pages/16-The-Road-to-Emmaus.htm http://www.heqiarts.com/gallery/gallery3/pages/14-SupperAtEmmaus.html

These and other Emmaus artworks can be found at
http://textweek.com/art/Emmaus.htm.

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I talked with someone from Ignatius PRess who published this video series in 1997...they no longer have it available. I used "The Messiah Comes!" From NEST

quote:

Originally posted by Augustana Lutheran Church:

Video: Jesus Ascends Into Heaven, A Kingdom Without Frontiers 1997, 30 min.

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