KOSTA at home: Sunday 26 April

Title: The Road to Emmaus

Bible notes for parents/teens: • This week marks the end of the Easter ‘holidays’ and the beginning of a new month, so

a good time to reflect on our journey with Jesus which continues beyond the resurrection and in our daily lives, whatever our pattern may look like at the moment.

• The story of the road to Emmaus is a powerful story of recognising Jesus, we hope you might encounter him anew through your worship together this week.

Question for older children and teens: What is your favourite story? The Bible passage we have today helps show us that Jesus takes time to tell his own story.

Opening Prayer: Jesus, we all come with our own stories to tell, we’ve all made different journeys here, but we all come to hear your story and to understand how our stories and journeys fit with yours. Walk and talk with us, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Watch the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndtnZV-5QTo

Sing: Younger Children: Inright, outright, upright, downright https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E53zxScYE6Y

Adults and Teens: O Praise the name (Anastasis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqBpifDpNKc

Read the story: Younger Children: Story on page 3 Older Children & Teens: Luke 24.13-35 from a bible

Discuss: Younger children:

• Why do you think Jesus did not reveal who he was straight away?

Older children and teens: • What is your favourite verse of the Bible? Why is it special to you?

Jesus wanted the two followers to know he was alive not just because they had seen it but because they knew it in their hearts. In v.32 they say that hearing Jesus explain the Bible was like having a fire burning in their hearts. Even though we cannot see Jesus we can still believe that He is alive and read the Bible – why not ask God to help you experience God’s word like a fire today!

I’m delighted to be working for St Andrew’s and pray that you are keeping well and safe during this time. I can’t wait to meet in person, but for now I’ve put together resources you might like to do together as families. Please do as much or as little as you can. Josey Most resources taken from ©ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020 and www.tath.co.uk

Do: Younger Children: You will need: A blindfold (scarf), some familiar objects Jesus said it was better to believe without seeing. Take it in turns to wear the blindfold. Pass an object to the person wearing the blindfold, can they work out what it is without being able to see it? You could think about how the object feels, how it smells, if it makes a sound. Maybe you will find out new things about the objects that you hadn’t noticed before. When Jesus spent time with his followers, they did not recognise him by how he looked but they experienced something new about who he was in the way he unlocked scripture to them. Older Children: When the followers spoke with Jesus, they understood God’s plan better than ever before. Have a Bible race to help you practice finding verses in the Bible. You could use these verses about Jesus and love or write out some verses of your own to look up on pieces of paper. If you have more than one Bible you can all search for the verse at the same time. If you only have one Bible take it in turns to search and time how long each person takes. Remember you will need to find the right BOOK of the Bible and then the CHAPTER (Big number) and VERSE (Little Number).

John 3:16 Acts 4:12 Isaiah 9:6 1 John 4:19 Mark 1:10-11 Romans 5:8 John 14:6 Psalm 136:26

Closing Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the story of Jesus appearing on the Emmaus Road. Thank you that your plan for Jesus to die for us and come back to life can be found throughout the Bible. Help us to dig deep into your word and learn more about you. Help us to experience it like a fire in our own hearts. We pray for those in the world who don’t yet know you that they would be drawn close to you. Help us to share your word with others so that they can know your salvation plan too. Amen

Pray: In our story today Jesus met with his followers while they were on the road. Why not plan a route you can walk in your community. Think of places you would like to pray for that you could be on your route. If you are currently allowed out of the house, you could walk your actual route during allowed exercise time – remember to keep at a safe distance from anybody you meet. If you are unable to leave the house, why not use google maps “street view” and travel your route from inside your home. Pray for the people and places you pass on your walk.

Extra activities: Colouring activity sheets on pages 4 and 5

Story for Younger children:

Who was the mysterious man on the road to Emmaus? That’s what Cleopas wanted to know. Cleopas and his friend had been walking away from Jerusalem, talking about Jesus’ death, when the man suddenly appeared with them. ‘What are you talking about?’ the man asked. Everyone in Jerusalem was talking about Jesus. Where had this stranger been? Cleopas said, ‘We’re talking about our friend, the prophet Jesus. We thought he was the Messiah, the one sent by God to save Israel, but he was killed three days ago, and now we don’t know what to think.’ There was something familiar about the stranger, but Cleopas couldn’t put his finger on it. Cleopas’ friend said, ‘This morning some women went to Jesus’ tomb and told us the body was gone. They said they saw angels, who told them he was alive. The body’s definitely gone. The disciples checked. But what does it mean? Where’s the body?’ Then the stranger began to speak about the Old Testament prophets. He explained how the Messiah’s life and death had been predicted a long time ago. ‘You are slow and foolish not to see it,’ the stranger said. ‘The Messiah had to suffer before entering his glory.’ They all arrived in Emmaus as evening approached. ‘Come in and eat with us,’ Cleopas said. The stranger accepted, and when he broke the bread, Cleopas suddenly knew who he was. It was Jesus! Back from the dead! Jesus disappeared and Cleopas and his friend couldn’t contain themselves. They rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the 11 disciples what had happened. When they got there, the disciples were talking about Jesus. ‘He appeared to Simon. He has risen!’ Cleopas told his story and how he had recognised Jesus when he broke bread.