But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Luke 18: 16

Trinity Kids provides spiritual guidance, education, & community for children from infancy through 5th grade. For Preschool through 5th grade, the “contemplative model”; of children’s ministry is used to provide the framework for learning about the stories of the Bible, with a focus back to the gospel & salvation of Jesus Christ. Lessons and discussions are hands-on, reflective, and open-ended. Please contact Julia Guy (julia@trinityanglicanmission.org) with any questions or to learn more about Godly Play and the contemplative model.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Jesus is Risen! Along the Road to Emmaus (April 22nd)


Season of the Church Year: Easter (white)
Story in Scripture: Luke 24: 1-35
Please note: This story is being taught for a second time because so many students missed it last week. It is such an important part of the Easter story and a great story to reflect on during this time of celebration. Remember, these summaries can always be found on the trinityKids blog (www.trinitykidsministry.blogspot.com).

As we continue through the Easter season, it is so wonderful to consider all the different ways that Jesus reconciled with his disciples. They were so distraught, confused, and afraid. Jesus knew that each of them needed to be met in a unique way to reassure them of God’s promise in their lives. Over the next few weeks, we will learn about Jesus’ appearance to his friends and followers at the tomb, along the road to Emmaus, and in the Upper Room. We will also learn about the ways that Jesus helped his disciples (particularly Peter) to understand their own actions and choices on his last days. Today’s lesson focused on Jesus’ revelation to the disciples along the road to Emmaus. Just like in the story of Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdelene at the tomb, his disciples do not realize that it is their Savior until the right time. Luke explains that they walked along the road with a stranger, who shared great wisdom with them about Jesus’ death. They reflect later that their hearts burned with passion to hear is words. Yet they didn’t realize who it really was. As they invite the stranger to dine with them, his true identity is revealed as he breaks the bread. What a surprise!! Although we didn’t go into great detail about this in our classroom discussion, I encourage you to talk with your child about the ways that God reveals himself to us through the personhood of Jesus and through the love of our friends and family. Frequently, we may feel that we are alone in our struggles (as perhaps the disciples were feeling), yet God meets us and walks alnog with us, even when we don’t realize that he is there.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
Now I wonder how Jesus’ friends felt when Jesus died before Easter?
I wonder how they knew Jesus was alive? Or how they knew the person sitting at the table was Jesus?
I wonder what it felt like to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread?
I wonder if you have ever been close to bread like this?
I wonder how it feels to know Jesus is alive?
I wonder what it was like to tell others that Jesus was alive?
I wonder how we can celebrate that Jesus is risen? 

Prayer:
“Father, I love you and am so glad that you are here with us during all our struggles and in the dark times. Help us to love one another and to remember that you walk along the “road” beside us, even when we are confused. Amen.”

Looking Ahead:
We will be learning about Jesus’ Great Commission to the disciples. The story can be found in the book of Matthew, 28: 16-20.


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