Stick hidden treasures — tiny pieces of paper with the name “Jesus” on it — around the room. Get a pair of binoculars (optional). Have kids take turns to use the binoculars to look for these hidden treasures and retrieve them.
Check out other ideas here
2. STORY (based on Luke 24:13-35)
One of the darkest days for Jesus’ disciples was when their leader, the man they called Teacher, the one they thought was the Messiah, was crucified on the cross. Everything seemed lost and hopeless.
The Sunday after Jesus’ death, two of His disciples — Cleopas and his friend — were walking to a village called Emmaus, about 7 miles from Jerusalem.
As you can guess, they were feeling sad! They were feeling dejected. Disappointed. Defeated.
Their friend Jesus had died. Their hopes and dreams for a superhero savior had been dashed. And now, they have heard that Jesus’ tomb was empty!
As they walked and talked to each other, suddenly Jesus came by and walked together with them. But somehow, they were not able to recognize him.
Jesus asked them, “What are you talking about?”
Cleopas was surprised. “Are you new to Jerusalem? Don’t you know what’s been happening here the past few days?”
They went on to explain. “We were talking about Jesus. He was a powerful prophet. We had hoped he would deliver Israel from the Romans. But the chief priest and rulers handed him over to be crucified.
“Then today, some of our women told us that they went to the tomb early this morning and they couldn’t find his body! They saw angels instead, who told them that Jesus was alive. Then some of our friends went to the tomb and find it empty, but they did not see Jesus.”
Then Jesus told them, “Don’t you know what all the prophets have said? Don’t you know that the Messiah has to suffer all these things before being glorified?
Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to the two disciples what all the Scriptures said about Himself.
As they reached the village, Jesus pretended to walk on. But they urged him, “Stay with us. It’s almost evening.”
So Jesus stayed with them. He had supper with them. He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread and gave it to them.
Who knows when Jesus did this before? Yes, at the Passover dinner — His last supper with his disciples. (The Covenant Meal/Holy Communion/Lord’s Supper)
When Jesus broke the bread, suddenly the disciples remembered too! Their eyes were opened, and they could recognize Jesus!
Then Jesus disappeared from their sight.
Cleopas and his friend said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts feel warm when He was talking to us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
Then they got up and returned immediately to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven disciples and others who had gathered with them. “It is true!” The other disciples said. “The Lord appeared to Peter!”
And Cleopas and his friend also told them how Jesus met them on the road to Emmaus, and how they recognized Him when He broke bread.
3. LESSON
In life and in Scripture, we need to learn how to see Jesus.
See Jesus walking with us
When we are feeling down and discouraged, when we are sad or mad, sometimes God seems very far away.
But the truth is that Jesus never leaves our side. We may not recognize Him always, but He’s always there with us. He’s walking with us all the way. We need to learn to see Him even in our darkest moments.
After an encounter with Jesus, instead of being sad and discouraged, our hearts will be warmed and we can tell the good news to everyone else!
See Jesus in the Bible!
Many people think that Jesus only appeared in the New Testament, but that’s not true.
The whole Bible — from Genesis to Revelations — is a love story written by God to man.
It tells how God loved the world so much and planned to send a Saviour to save the world from sin.
Every story in the Bible, every prophecy, shows us more about Jesus and what He has done on the cross for us.
That’s why in tNCC, we always look at Jesus and His finished work on the cross!
So when we read the Bible, we can ask ourselves, “How does this story show me Jesus and His finished work?”
And you’ll be amazed at how beautiful a story it is of God’s love for you and me!
Memory Verse: Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them in all the Scriptures what was said about Himself.
(Younger kids) Luke 24:27 The Bible tells us about Jesus.
4. ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
Memory Verse: Use an activity/game to help kids memorise the verse
Song: sung to the tune of “Here we go round the mulberry bush” This is the way the two men walked (walk in place) Two men walked (2x)
This is the way the two men walked
Going to EmmausThis is the way the two men looked (look surprised) Two men looked (2x)
This is the way the two men looked
Going to EmmausThis is the way the two men ran (run in place) Two men ran (2x)
This is the way the two men ran
To tell the good news
Song: sung to the tune of “This Old Man” I can tell; you can tell (point self; point to others) With a whisper or a yell (sing softly; sing loudly) Clap your hands and sing along with me (clap hands) Jesus is alive, you see! (raise hands above head)
I can tell; you can tell (point self; point to others) With a whisper or a yell (sing softly; sing loudly) Stomp your feet and sing aong with me (clap hands) Jesus is alive, you see! (raise hands above head) Source
