Additional Scriptures

Psalm 116:1–4, 12–19; Acts 2:14a, 36–41; 1 Peter 1:17–23

We Gather in Praise

Prelude

Introit

Have a small choir or double quartet sing one or both of the following hymns.

“Laudate Dominum” CCS 91

OR “Ameni” CCS 113

Welcome

Call to Worship

…now I say unto you, that the time shall come that the salvation of the Lord shall be declared to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.…Break forth into joy, sing together, …for the Lord hath comforted his people, …and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

–Mosiah 8:66, 68–69, adapted

Song of Joy

“Alleluia” sing twice CCS 103

OR “Jubilate Deo” CCS 123

Sing first in unison and then divide the group into up to six parts and sing as a round.

Resurrection Responsive Reading

Leader: Christ is risen!

People: Christ is risen, indeed!

Leader: We give praise and honor to his holy name!

People: Praise be to Christ Jesus, our Risen Savior!

Leader: Alleluia!

People: Alleluia! Amen!

Hymn of Praise Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!” CCS 105

Translations into Spanish and French for this hymn can be found at HeraldHouse.org.

OR “All Creatures of Our God and King” CCS 98

Invocation

Response

Time of Confession and Peace

Dwelling in the Word: Scripture of Conversion and Confession

Acts 2:36–39

Before reading this scripture passage, ask the congregants to get comfortable in their seats and, perhaps, close their eyes.

First Reading: For the first reading, listen to the words and the story. Do not worry about details; just listen.

Second Reading: For the second reading, listen for what interests you most about this passage.

Third Reading: What words speak to you today? How might this scripture story apply in your life?

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle.

Prayer

Teach us, we pray, Peace-speaking God, the language of shalom. We have not yet learned your ancient, unfamiliar tongue. Our accent is that of the foreigner. Our gestures are awkward. Tongues tangle, throats hurt, and mouths tire of trying to shape many new sounds.

But we are willing to start at the beginning; learners asking for help; practicing again and again and once again until we hear your inflection in our voice, catch your nuance in new words from patient teachers of peace.

One day, slowly, haltingly may we hear in our voice the faint hint of music, the rhythmic beauty of the language of peace. May our words be with a gesture of hands and movement of feet. Letter by syllable by word may we speak the vision of your new world into being.

Help us say, “forgive me, please,” to our families. Teach us to pronounce “healing” in hospital rooms, to plead “reconcile” in our places of work, to proclaim “justice” when we call our government’s representatives. Then, in the dark of our weary nights, Lord, will you please whisper in us, “shalom”?

God, Eternal Word of peace, speak the language of shalom through us, stanza by stanza in the world, we pray, in Jesus’s name. Amen.

–David Brock

We Express Our Generosity

Disciples’ Generous Response

Scripture Reading: Psalm 116:12–13, 17–19

Statement

Generous financial stewardship begins with a desire to meet our obligations. We tithe. We give to God, who has given to us. It begins there but is not content to reside there. Generosity always wants to do more! It moves us from minimums to maximums, from law to life, from obligation to opportunity. Generosity happens when choice replaces obedience. The spirit of giving overrides the rule of giving. “Have to” becomes “want to” and each gift, small or large, is of equal measure when offered generously.

-Danny A. Belrose, Wave Offerings: Personal Psalms, Prayers, and Pieces, Herald Publishing House, 2005, p. 23.

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

We Hear and Respond

Hymn

“On the Journey to Emmaus” CCS 272

OR “We Are Companions on the Journey” CCS 552

Sermon

Based on Luke 24:13–35

Meditation and Reflection

Have a musician play quietly the hymn used before the sermon (CCS 272 or CCS 552). Ask the group to turn to the hymn again and consider the text while the music is playing. If possible, play a different arrangement or use different instrumentation than when the hymn was previously sung.

Hymn of Community

“Now Let Our Hearts within Us Burn” CCS 658

OR “Take the Path of the Disciple” CCS 558

Benediction

Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 157:17

Postlude

Gathering

Welcome

Today is the third Sunday of the Easter season. The Easter season continues for 50 days and concludes with the Day of Pentecost.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.

Creator God, we come to this place to worship you, but we also come to find peace. Open our hearts to you, still our spirits, and free our minds to hear your voice. May this flame of peace warm each of us to your spirit of blessing, to your calming presence and to your healing love. May this sacred time prepare us to be peacemakers in our homes…schools…workplaces…cities…countries…and our world. Make us one, loving God, through your peace. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Centering Prayer

Read the following to the group:

Today we are continuing with the season of Easter and the theme of resurrection.

Witnessing creation teaches us that creation can be chaotic. And certainly the Easter story reveals a divine wildness and chaos beyond anyone’s expectations. As our everyday lives unfold in ways we never expected, can we open our hearts to the unexpected?

Today we will practice centering prayer as we experience the unexpected in our lives. During the prayer we will choose the words open heart as our focus. We will sit in silence breathing the words in and out.

Centering prayer is a method of mediation used by Christians to sit in silence with God. This prayer helps us experience God’s presence within us.

Slowly read the following instructions:

Sit with relaxed posture and close your eyes. We will spend three minutes in centering prayer.

We will breathe in a regular, natural rhythm. As you breathe in and out you will say the words open heart in your mind. You will continue breathing in and out, focusing only on your prayer words.

At the end of the three minutes in centering prayer, I will ring a chime, and we will sit for two minutes in silence, eyes closed, listening to the silence.

Begin the practice together, modeling the centering prayer as instructed above.

Say: Become aware of your natural breathing in and out. (Breathe a few times in and out.)

Say: Now silently add your prayer words. (Model breathing in and quietly saying open heart. Breathe out and say open heart quietly. Continue the centering prayer in silence. Discontinue saying the prayer word out loud after you model it the first time.)

After three minutes, ring a chime.

Sit quietly for two minutes.

When time is up, share these closing instructions: Silently offer a brief word of thanks to God, take a deep breath, and open your eyes when ready.

When everyone’s eyes are open, share the following: I encourage you to use this spiritual practice at home during the week.

Sharing Around the Table

Luke 24:13–35 NRSVue

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 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 took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Two travelers were walking to the village of Emmaus. Jesus appeared and joined them.

As they walked, he listened to them discussing the awful events of the past few days in Jerusalem. They seemingly were so lost in their sorrow and pain that they did not recognize him.

Jesus asked what had occurred in Jerusalem. He listened as they described their disappointment, disillusionment, and frustrations. As Jesus prepared to part company with the travelers, they invited him to dine with them. He accepted their hospitality. As Jesus blessed and broke bread they recognized him as Christ. The travelers experienced the Resurrected Christ in the blessing and breaking of bread.

These interactions at the table with Jesus prompted them to return to Jerusalem and testify of the Living Christ.

Questions

1. When have you been like the travelers, overwrought with difficult issues in your life?
2. How have you received simple acts of invitation and hospitality that opened your eyes to a new understanding of discipleship?
3. How has God been revealed to you in the blessing and breaking of bread?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

–Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

God of rejoicing, We share with joy-filled hearts in response to the presence of your Son. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 552, “We Are Companions on the Journey”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Note: If you are including the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper today, provide the Thoughts for Children just prior. It will provide a poignant time of preparation for the whole group.

Communion Scripture

Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

This Easter season let us experience the resurrected Christ. May we receive Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings 521, “Let Us Break Bread Together.”

Blessing and serving bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Note: If you are including the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper today, provide the Thoughts for Children just prior. It will provide a poignant time of preparation for the whole group.

Materials: tray with unsliced loaf of bread, cubes of cheese, small pieces of fruit (if you are using grapes, slice them in half), napkins

Place the tray on the floor or on a low table. Invite the children to sit with you.

Say: One time, when they were eating together, Jesus picked up a loaf of bread, broke it in half, and told his disciples, “Every time you break bread, remember me.”

After Jesus died and rose again, his disciples were walking to another town. A man they did not recognize walked with them. The disciples invited him to eat with them.

They sat around a low table, just like we are sitting now. They may have had fruit (offer each child some fruit). They may have had some cheese (offer cheese to each child).

But then the man picked up the loaf of bread and broke it in half (break bread in half).

When he did that, guess what happened?

They suddenly realized the man was Jesus. He had been with them all along.

When we gather with others to eat and to “break bread,” we also remember Jesus and how he is present with us. We recognize him in the love we share with one another, in the joy of being together, and in the kindness we show to others.

Give each child a chunk of bread. Say: Break your bread in half and remember that Jesus is always with us.

Encourage the children to share bread with others in the group.

Exploring the Scripture

The text for today is one of several stories that occurred during the 40 days between the Resurrection and Ascension, which describes the resurrected Christ appearing to his disciples. In this post-resurrection story two travelers are walking to the village of Emmaus. We know little about these travelers except they were followers of Jesus as revealed in verses 22–24.

Jesus appears in verse 15 and joins the travelers. As they walk he listens to them discussing the awful events of the past few days in Jerusalem. They were seemingly so lost in their own sorrow and pain and journeying with no expectation of seeing the resurrected Christ, they did not recognize the one walking beside them.

In verses 17–19 Jesus asked what had occurred in Jerusalem. Why? Surely Jesus knew what had happened. But he listened as they described in verses 21–24 their disappointment, disillusionment, and frustrations.

Could it be that Jesus wanted to hear not only their versions of the weekend, but what was on their hearts? Maybe before these travelers could lay claim to Jesus’ words of comfort and reassurance, they had to give voice to their disappointment and pain.

What might this say to us today as disciples who at times carry pain and disappointment? This text can help today’s worshipers understand the first step to healing is talking about what they are feeling. The best teachers do not immediately tell struggling students the process for solving a problem. The effective teacher will first ask the students to talk about their struggles. These two were traveling away from Jerusalem. Maybe they wanted the pain of the weekend to be behind them. However, in doing so they were also turning their backs on the Resurrection. We assume they were traveling back home, maybe back to old ways, old habits, and the old lifestyles they knew before Jesus came into their lives.

There are times when our plans fail and we become disappointed and disillusioned and go back to old ways. What about us, people who are present this morning who, like the travelers, are overwrought with difficult issues in our lives? What about those who are on the verge of going back to the “old village”? How might this text speak to them?

In verse 28 it appears that Jesus will be parting company with the two travelers. However, they extended him an invitation to come and dine with them. He accepted their gracious hospitality, and as he broke bread and offered a prayer, they recognized him as Christ. The Resurrection had occurred many hours before this meal, but for these travelers it was in those moments, as he broke bread and blessed it that they experienced the Resurrection. Simple acts of invitation and hospitality opened their eyes. Their experience at the table with Jesus prompted them to return to Jerusalem and testify of the Living Christ.

Central Ideas

1. The Living Christ invites us to share our pain, frustration, and disappointments in life with him.
2. Grief and pain can disorient and blind us if not addressed.
3. Hospitality is a primary principle of the mission of Christ.
4. As followers of Christ, we are called to always live in a spirit of expectation.
5. Cleopas and the other travelers are ordinary people. God reveals God’s self to ordinary people.

Questions for the Speaker

1. Is this congregation asking Christ to “come in” and be present? Or would it be more comfortable for the group if Jesus would continue walking down the road?
2. What is the focus of this congregation at this time? Is it the Living Christ or secondary things that blur people’s vision?
3. How can this congregation be more effective in inviting others to come and share in Christ’s mission?

Focus Scripture Passage

Luke 24:13–35

Lesson Focus

God reveals God’s self to ordinary people.

Objectives

The learners will…

• share experiences of invitation and hospitality.
• discuss sections of the focus scripture passage.
• explore connections between themes from Luke’s passage and Community of Christ understanding of discipleship, scripture, sacrament, and mission.

Supplies

• Bible
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Luke 24:13–35 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), p. 66, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Share responses to the following question in groups of two or three, or with the larger group.

• When have you experienced the Risen Christ through simple acts of invitation and hospitality? Explain.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Read Luke 24:13–35. Form three small discussion groups and give each group one of the following passages.
Discuss the questions which follow and share insights with the larger group.

Luke 24:13–25
Luke 24:25–27
Luke 24:28–35

• What happened in this part of the story?
• How does this part of the story influence the lives of believers?
• What do you understand in a new way this Easter?

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

The story of Jesus appearing to two disciples on the road to Emmaus is unique to Luke’s Gospel. This story of the Risen Christ’s revelation to disciples contains important themes for disciples today. With the same three discussion groups, assign one of the following themes. Discuss the questions which follow and share insights with the larger group.

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’s long journey to Jerusalem is filled with lessons about being a disciple. It represents following Jesus as The Way. In today’s passage, Jesus meets the two disciples on a road going away from Jerusalem.

• What is significant about this journey compared to Jesus’s long journey to Jerusalem?
• What is significant about this journey moving away from Jerusalem?

Doctrine and Covenants 161:3d reads: “Understand that the road to transformation travels both inward and outward. The road to transformation is the path of the disciple.”

• What connections can be made between this counsel and the above theme from Luke?
• How does this passage and Luke’s passage challenge disciples in Christ’s mission?

Luke makes a point that Jesus interprets the meaning of scripture revealed through him. It is the beginning of disciples understanding scripture through the lens of the Risen Christ.

• How does the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus change the way we interpret scripture?

Affirmation 1 of “Scripture in Community of Christ” (see Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, p. 63) reads: “We declare that Jesus Christ—who lived, was crucified, was raised from the dead, and comes again—is the Living Word of God. It is to Christ that scripture points. It is through Christ that we have life (John 5:39–40). It is Christ whom we must hear (Mark 9:7).”

• How does this statement affirm what Jesus reveals to the disciples on the road to Emmaus?
• How does this statement and Luke’s passage uphold the importance of responsibly interpreting and faithfully applying scripture?
• How does this statement, as well as Luke’s passage, shape an understanding of the Enduring Principle Continuing Revelation?

Only when Jesus breaks bread with the disciples do they recognize him, which points to the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.

• What blocks our ability to recognize the Risen Christ?
• How have you experienced the Risen Christ through the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper?

Community of Christ has received the following counsel: “You have already been told to look to the sacraments to enrich the spiritual life of the body” (Doctrine and Covenants 162:2d). “Generously share the invitation, ministries, and sacraments through which people can encounter the Living Christ who heals and reconciles through redemptive relationships in sacred community” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:2b).

• How does this counsel connect with the theme from Luke?
• In what ways do this counsel and Luke’s theme connect sacraments with mission?

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Prayerfully consider how you would complete the following prayer statements. Make this part of your daily spiritual practice throughout the coming week(s).

Living God, thank you for the ways you are revealed in…
Help me to know your Living Word as I…
As a blessing of your love and peace, I will share…
Amen.

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Read or sing verses three and four of “The Risen Christ” CCS 477.

Focus Scripture Passage

Luke 24:13–35

Lesson Focus

Like Jesus’s followers after he died, we can feel sad or afraid and struggle to understand the meaning of the Easter experience. Jesus walks with us, though we are sometimes unaware, helping us with our feelings and questions through the Holy Spirit and the Blessings of Community.

Objectives

The learners will…

• hear the story of two of Jesus’s followers who meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus after he has risen.
• discuss how the risen Lord meets us in the ordinary places and experiences of our lives.
• learn how the Holy Spirit and the Blessings of Community can help us recognize, remember, and respond to God’s presence.

Supplies

• Bible
• Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, Herald House, 2018
• A variety of breads, bagels, or rolls (Include gluten-free options and keep separated from other items.)
• Ball of yarn

Note to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Luke 24:13–35 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), p. 66, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Breaking Bread

As students arrive, have a tray or basket of different breads for them to share. Allow a few minutes for them to talk among themselves while they eat.

Important Note

Provide a separate container for gluten-free items to avoid cross-contamination.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Many scripture stories involve table fellowship—eating, drinking, and talking together. Breaking bread is the foundation of the sacrament of Communion, remembering Christ’s sacrifice for us. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote extensively about the fellowship of Christians and the depth of relationships in following Jesus together. Table fellowship is intentional time together, centered on the shared physical need for food and the shared gratitude for God who supplies our need. Bonhoeffer writes,

The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of listening to them. Just as love of God begins with listening to his word, so the beginning of love for our [brothers and sisters] is learning to listen to them.

–Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community, Harper & Row, 1954, p. 97

Today’s story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus is filled with layers of meaning, hope, and application to our lives today. Luke 24:13–35 is believed by scholars to be an early tradition of the first-century Christian community.

The story form of travelers being accompanied by heroes, angels, or gods in disguise would have been familiar throughout the Greco-Roman and Jewish cultures. The story is divided into four parts. Have different students read each part.

Part One: The Meeting—Luke 24:13–16

• What important details did you hear?

Part Two: The Conversation en Route—Luke 24:17–27

• What details did Cleopas share with “the stranger” regarding the happenings in Jerusalem?
• How did “the stranger” respond?

Part Three: The Meal at Emmaus—Luke 24:28–32

These five verses contain the dramatic moment Jesus’s identity is revealed. Aristotle wrote that “recognition is, as the name indicates, a change from ignorance to knowledge.”

• Imagine yourself sitting at the table. Your guest, “the stranger,” becomes the host blessing and breaking the bread, and you become aware this is Jesus. How would you respond?
• What did the disciples mean when they said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us…”?

Part Four: The Return to Jerusalem—Luke 24:33–35

• Why do you suppose verse 34 notes that “the Lord has risen indeed and he has appeared to Simon” before Cleopas and his companion tell their story of what happened on the road?

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

We do not know why these two disciples were traveling to Emmaus. Were they going home, going there on business, or just getting away from the trouble in Jerusalem? This story illustrates that the risen Lord meets us on our “Emmaus road,” in the ordinary places and experiences of our lives, and in the places to which we retreat when life is too much for us. These disciples did not plan a sacred moment, but found one in sharing a meal with a stranger.

• When have you shared with someone you didn’t know well? Was it a good experience? What did you learn, feel, or do?
• Religious experiences happen in every context of life, not just at camps or in churches. The presence of God is described in a variety of ways from a still, small voice to roaring thunder. How can we become more aware of God walking beside us on the road?

In Community of Christ we affirm the Enduring Principle Blessings of Community. Read the aspects of this principle and then discuss the questions below. See Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 31–32.

• How do you understand the community as a blessing?
• Why would the gospel of Jesus Christ be expressed best in community life?
• How does the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus express these blessings of community?

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Strength of Community

Group members form a standing circle. The first player starts by holding a ball of yarn. The player then shares a community to which they belong (e.g. family name, school name, team name, troop number, etc.) and tosses the ball of yarn to another player—while still holding on to the end of the yarn. This player shares a community to which they belong and tosses the ball of yarn to yet another player, keeping hold of the yarn before passing the ball. The ball of yarn should be passed across the circle in a random pattern having each player share several times. Do not pass it to the person next to you. Create a thick web of yarn. It should be strong enough at the end of creating the web of community that a person can lie down on the yarn and the group can pick them up, symbolizing the strength of community.

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Close with a prayer: “Jesus, open our eyes to see you walking with us on the road to our Emmaus.”

Focus Scripture Passage

Luke 24:13–35

Lesson Focus

Jesus’s followers were sad after he died. We, too, can feel sad or afraid and have questions. Jesus helps us with our feelings and questions through the Holy Spirit and the Blessings of Community.

Objectives

The learners will…

• hear the story of two of Jesus’s followers meeting Jesus after he had risen.
• talk about death as something about which we can feel sad or afraid and have questions.
• learn how the Holy Spirit and sharing the Blessings of Community can help us with our feelings and questions.

Supplies

• Bible or Lectionary Story Bible, Year A by Ralph Wilton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007, ISBN 9781551455471)
• Ingredients to make play dough: flour, salt, oil, water, bowl, spoon for mixing (for gluten-free, substitute rice flour and cornstarch for the flour)
• Reusable airtight container(s) to store play dough for future use (or send home with children) Example: recycled plastic tubs with lids (such as margarine or yogurt containers)
• Optional: stress ball
• Simple healthy snack (loaf of bread, pitcher of 100% fruit juice or water, fruit, or cheese); Be aware of food allergies.
• Reusable or recyclable plate and cup for each child
• Optional: dictionary
• Piece of yarn (about 18 in/46 cm long) for each child
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Luke 24:13–35 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament, p. 66, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Play Dough Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473.18 ml) flour
• 1 cup (236.59 ml) salt
• 1 tablespoon (14.79 ml) oil
• 1 cup (236.59 ml) cold water

Add ingredients to bowl. Allow each child to mix with spoon. As the ingredients begin to stick together, give each child a lump of dough to knead until smooth. If dough is sticky, add more flour. Depending on how many children are in the class, you may need to make more than one batch. Note: Be aware of gluten allergies. Substitute a gluten-free recipe if allergies are present: 1 cup (236.59 ml) rice flour, 1 cup (236.59 ml) corn starch, 1 cup (236.59 ml) salt, 2 teaspoons (9.86 ml) oil, 1 cup (236.59 ml) warm water.

As the children arrive, invite them to help you make play dough. Give each child a lump of play dough to knead while the focus scripture passage is read.

Engage

Say: When we made play dough today, we used some of the same ingredients used to make bread. There are several scripture passages that use bread to tell a story about Jesus. We will hear one of those stories today.

Read Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, pp. 102–104, or paraphrased Luke 24:13–35 NRSV.

Luke 24:13–35 NRSV (paraphrased)

Now on that same day two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all the things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but they didn’t recognize him. And Jesus said to them, “What are you talking about while you walk along?”

They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that happened?” Jesus asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be killed. And besides that, it is now the third day since Jesus died. Some women of our group were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had seen angels who said Jesus was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it empty as the women had said; but they did not see Jesus.”

Discuss:

• How did Jesus’s friends feel when he died?
• How do you think Jesus’s friends felt when they heard that the women said Jesus was alive?

Then Jesus said to them, “You’re having a hard time believing these things.” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he told them the things about himself in the scriptures. As they came near the village, Jesus walked ahead as if he were going on. But they said to him, “Stay with us, because it is almost nighttime.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Didn’t we have a warm feeling in our hearts while he was talking to us on the road?” They got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the other disciples and their friends gathered together. They were saying, “Jesus is alive, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had had happened on the road, and how they recognized Jesus when he broke the bread.

Discuss:

• Have you had someone you know or a pet die? Invite children to share experiences of loss. Ask open-ended questions: How did you feel? What did you do? Who helped you? Listen to children’s stories, but be careful not to minimize children’s experiences or give simplistic answers to their questions. Remind them that it is okay to have questions we can’t answer.

Say: When we think about people and animals we love dying, we can feel sad or afraid. The Holy Spirit that Jesus breathed on the disciples also comforts us. In fact, the Holy Spirit is sometimes called the Comforter. Jesus is always present with us through the Holy Spirit, even if we don’t recognize him or understand, like the travelers on the road.

Respond

• How does it feel to squish the play dough?
• Have you ever used a stress ball? (Show example, if available, and pass around for each child to have a turn squeezing the ball.)

Sometimes people use something like a stress ball to feel better when they are nervous or afraid.

• What can you do when you have strong feelings—like sadness, fear, or anger—to help you feel better?

Talking to friends can help, too. Jesus talked to the travelers on the road and listened to their questions. After they realized it was Jesus, they went back to talk to their friends about what happened. Jesus’s followers had a lot of questions about what had happened, and it helped to talk about their questions together.

• What questions do you have about this story?

Spiritual Practice: Sharing in the Round

Say: Jesus went into the home with the travelers and broke bread with them. It was in sharing a meal that they recognized Jesus. Jesus started this practice with his disciples before he died. We continue this practice today in Community of Christ when we share the sacrament of Communion. We also share with each other in fellowship at potlucks, going out to eat, and inviting people to our homes. We learn more about Jesus and each other when we talk and share together.

Have a simple, healthy snack to share with the children. Ask children to pass the food to each other. Let them serve themselves and pour their own drinks. Help younger children as needed or ask an older child to help younger children. Invite children into conversation by asking questions to get to know each other better.

Sharing in the Round

Sharing in the Round is an ancient practice of table fellowship. Some of the most meaningful ministry by Jesus occurred around the table of invitation and hospitality. Good food, friends, and meaningful conversation lead to deeper relationships and community. This missional practice is an important way to follow a model of ministry by Jesus and embody and live the concerns and passion of Christ (adapted from www.missionalleaders.org).

Send

Say: When we share together in food and conversation, we learn more about Jesus and each other. We can talk to each other about our questions. We can pray together. These are the Blessings of Community we share in Community of Christ. We can share peace by inviting someone to share a meal with us.

• Can you think of someone you can invite to share a meal with you? (Examples: invite a friend from school over for dinner, ask your family to invite someone from church to go out to eat, take a meal to share with an elderly neighbor, etc.)

Going Deeper—Enduring Principle: Blessings of Community

Select one of the phrases from the Enduring Principle Blessings of Community to read to the children. Use a dictionary to look up words children may not understand. Ask questions and ask for children’s ideas to deepen understanding of what it means to participate in community.

Blessings of Community

• The gospel of Jesus Christ is expressed best in community life where people become vulnerable to God’s grace and each other.
• True community includes compassion for and solidarity with the poor, marginalized, and oppressed.
• True community upholds the worth of persons while providing a healthy alternative to self-centeredness, isolation, and conformity.
• Sacred community provides nurture and growth opportunities for all people, especially those who cannot fully care for themselves.
• We value our connections and share a strong sense of trust in and belonging with one another—even if we never have met.
• Some disciples are called and ordained to particular priesthood responsibilities and ministries for the sake of the community, the congregation, and the world.
• We are called to create communities of Christ’s peace in our families and congregations and across villages, tribes, nations, and throughout creation.

–Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 31–32

Game: Draw the Circle Wide (Community Building)

Give each child a section of yarn. Ask them to make a circle with the yarn on the floor and stand inside it.

Say: We are invited to receive and share the Blessings of Community. Right now, we are standing in our own space, alone. When we join in community, we get to know each other, share our feelings, ask questions, and learn together how we can be disciples who follow Jesus.

Ask the children to work together to transform their individual circles of yarn into one circle that includes everyone.

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

While standing together in the yarn circle, sing “Draw the Circle Wide” CCS 273 (chorus only) or “From You I Receive” CCS 611.

If children are unfamiliar with the hymn, teach as a call and response.

Close with a prayer of blessing for each child as they think about how they can invite someone to share the Blessings of Community.