All-age service: Road to Emmaus

Bible passage: Luke 24:13-35

Key verse: “And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:27

PRAYER AND WORSHIP ACTIVITY

Option 1

10 minutes

You will need: video of song with hard-to-understand lyrics; lyrics of the song on PowerPoint; large sheets of paper and marker pens

Before the service, find a video of a song where it is difficult to understand the lyrics (on YouTube or another video site). This could be a Eurovision song, a rap song (with suitable lyrics) or a song where the words are sung incredibly quickly.

Play the song to the congregation as they arrive, and ask them to try to distinguish the words. After a while, display the words and see if they can now understand them.

Ask the congregation if there is anything they don’t understand about the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Invite people to write these down on large sheets of paper placed around your meeting space.

Option 2

5 minutes

ou will need: “Jesus is alive!” written in different languages; paper; marker pens; balloons

Before the service, translate “Jesus is alive!” into different languages (use an online translation tool or ask people in your congregation). Write these out on sheets of paper and stick them up around your space.

Invite people to go around your meeting space and practise saying some of the phrases. Does anyone know what they mean? Ask people to choose their favourite, blow up a balloon and write their chosen phrase on it. Once everyone has chosen their phrases, ask the congregation to throw their balloon into the air and shout their phrase. When another balloon comes their way they should catch it, shout the phrase and throw it up in the air.

STORY

10 minutes

You will need: biblical costumes; bread and wine or grape juice; volunteers to play the parts

Before the service, ask three volunteers to play the parts of Cleopas, his companion and Jesus. Make sure they have their costumes sorted and are familiar with the story you’re going to tell and what they need to do. Invite your volunteers to the front and tell this story.

Cleopas and his friend were travelling from Jerusalem to their home village, called Emmaus. Cleopas and companion should start walking around the church.

They had had quite a week! They had watched as their friend Jesus had entered Jerusalem, riding a donkey, while the crowds cheered and sang to welcome him. Then they had watched as the crowd turned against him. The religious leaders had arrested Jesus and sent him to the Roman governor, called Pilate. They had watched as the crowds shouted for Jesus’ death. They had cried as Jesus was nailed to a cross and died.

That was two days ago. Then this morning, some women said that Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb and they had seen angels who said that Jesus was alive! Well, Cleopas and his friend didn’t know what to think. It had all become too confusing and they decided to go home.

As they were walking along the road, another traveller caught them up and started to chat. Jesus catches up with the two travellers and mimes chatting to them.

This new companion didn’t seem to know what had happened in Jerusalem over the past week. Cleopas was surprised. How could anyone not know about Jesus? The whole city was talking about him!

Cleopas told their new friend all about what had happened. When he finished, the traveller said something a bit surprising: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” The three actors stop. Cleopas and his friend look shocked and surprised.

The new companion then started to tell them everything about God’s special saviour, starting with Moses and going through all the scriptures. The three start walking. Jesus mimes talking, while the other two look surprised and amazed. “Who is this man?” Cleopas thought.

Finally, they got to Emmaus. The three come to a table with the bread and wine on it.

Cleopas told the traveller that it was getting dark and he should stay with them for the night. During dinner, the stranger took the bread and broke it. Jesus does this.

Suddenly, Cleopas and his friend knew who the man was. It was Jesus! As soon as they thought this, Jesus disappeared. Jesus goes off stage.

The friends were so surprised, they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell everyone what had happened! Cleopas and friend rush off stage.

REFLECTIVE RESPONSE TO THE STORY

Option 1

10 minutes

Invite people to walk around your meeting space, as Cleopas and his friend walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. As they walk, encourage them to talk together about the story. What does it mean that Jesus is alive? What do they think of the Easter story? If people have any questions, they should ask each other and think about the answers together.

After a few minutes, ask everyone to return to their seats and invite a couple of volunteers to tell the congregation what they discussed.

Option 2

10 minutes

You will need: a volunteer to talk about what it felt like when they first heard that Jesus is God’s special saviour - the Messiah

Before the service, ask a volunteer to think about the time when they first understood something of Jesus’ resurrection and what that meant. Interview the volunteer during the service, asking them what their ‘Cleopas’ moment was like.