This Bible Object Lesson will teach kids about trusting Jesus, even when we don’t understand how God is working through current events. It’s based on Luke 24:13-35 and tells the Emmaus Road appearance of Jesus. Download the teachers notes, watch our Children’s Message example, and gather your supplies. Then you’re ready to share this message in your church next Sunday!
Children’s Message: Blessings in Disguise
Jesus on the Road to Emmaus and God’s Work in our Lives
Main Objective: The main point of this message relates to current events in a timely way. Challenging things are happening in our world, and it’s difficult to understand why. We have to trust that God is at work, and that He has a plan in all things. The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Jesus at first, and when He explained things to them, all of the pieces fell into place. We don’t always recognize what Jesus is doing in our lives, but one day we will see Him face to face. Meanwhile, we can look for how He is working through those around us, and commit to daily prayer and Bible study.
Law/Gospel Theme: We sometimes develop a punishment/reward mentality that would have us assume good things happen to good people, and vice versa. We wonder why we struggle or suffer, and think perhaps we should strive to give ourselves better lives. While sin is responsible for pain in the world, we need to recognize that God is always in control. Because of the work of Jesus, we are promised salvation. Even though our current lives are still difficult and we don’t understand why, we can still trust that He is at work.
Optional Materials Object Lesson Props: Disguise (mask, hat, glasses, etc.)
Bible Passage: Luke 24:13-35
Message Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. Use your judgment and ideas to best serve students.
More Teaching Ideas for the Road to Emmaus
- See more lessons and ideas on our website about the Road to Emmaus
- See more video resources for teaching kids about Jesus on the Road to Emmaus.
- Craft ideas for teaching the Road to Emmaus
- Read background about the Road to Emmaus appearance after Jesus’ Resurrection on Wikipedia.
Children’s Sermon about Jesus Appearance on the Road to Emmaus
Greet children, wearing some form of disguise, as simple or elaborate as you prefer.
Hello, children of God!
Do you know who I am? I’ll bet you can’t recognize me through this amazing disguise, right? Do you need some clues? Can you tell by the sound of my voice, maybe?
Well, okay, maybe you don’t need clues. You probably knew it was me all along, because you were expecting it to be me. You knew I’d be here, so even with some different things added to my appearance, you figured out what was going on.
Sometimes, though, things in life aren’t that obvious. Sometimes we can get confused and perplexed by what happens to us, and it takes awhile to understand what God is doing for us. Even in the Bible, people didn’t always recognize the signs God gave them. He sent prophets to explain things that would happen, but even when the signs they told came true, not everyone understood. After Jesus rose from the dead, He visited people, but they didn’t always know right away who He was. Now, it’s possible that Jesus looked a little bit different after the Resurrection. It’s also possible that people weren’t expecting Him to be alive, and didn’t understand what God had done, even though Jesus Himself had told them what would happen.
his happened in today’s Gospel. A couple of disciples were walking along a road, and they were feeling sad that Jesus had died. Jesus showed up and started walking with them, but they didn’t know right away that it was Him. He started asking questions about what they were discussing, and they explained how upset they were over the death of Jesus. Then Jesus started to describe to them how the prophets and Scripture had predicted what would happen. He told the disciples about Himself! Well, they invited Jesus to stay for supper, and as He was breaking the bread, they suddenly realized who He was! Their eyes were open and they were filled with joyful enthusiasm.
Sometimes things in our lives are disguised, in a way. We don’t always recognize or understand things that God is doing. We might encounter difficult situations or circumstances and feel confused about why God would allow something like that to happen. We can trust that God is at work, but we might still face challenges. We won’t always find out right away why we have such trouble in our lives. We might not even understand until Heaven. But God promises that He is working things for our good. We cling to the hope that even hard things can bring blessings. We can also cling to the best news of all: unlike the disciples on the road, we do know that Jesus came back to life. We have the whole picture of the Bible, and we know that He was sent by God to die and come back to life, so that we can have eternal life with Him! We rest assured that our sins are covered, and that one day all things will be made new.
Meanwhile, we can keep an eye out for blessings. We remain in prayer and Bible study every day, so that we won’t miss out on the work God does in our lives. We recognize that sometimes God uses other people around us, as well as situations and circumstances, and that He is demonstrating love and strengthening us, even when things are tough. He is faithful and steadfast, so we can gain strength and hope in Him!
Children’s Prayer Moment:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you that we can celebrate Jesus
Thank you for all He did for us
And all that He continues to do
Help us to trust in you
Even when we don’t understand what’s happening
We know you work things for good
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Luke 24:13-35 English Standard Version (ESV) On the Road to Emmaus
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. –Luke 24:13-35 ESV
Thank you for your lesson, and all your lessons. I run a children’s church in a mission church in South Africa and I am using your lessons to send to my children via Whats App.
Regards,
Mike Morrison