Big Idea: Jesus has power over sin and death, so we can call on Him to be saved.
Bible Basis: Luke 24:13-35; Romans 1-10
Key Verse: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
Simply ask your child to share one good thing that happened today or this week (thumbs up) and one not-so-good thing (thumbs down). This is a great way to share celebrations and struggles with one another.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS
For younger kids:
What was your favorite part of this story? Why?
If you were one of the two men, how do you think you would have reacted when you recognized Jesus for the first time?
For older kids:
Why do you think God kept the two men from recognizing Jesus?
Why do you think it’s so important that Jesus died and was raised from the dead?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
After the video, have your child pick one or more of the prompts on the GO! Home Guide.
Prayer Station prompt: Write a prayer to Jesus. Praise Him for taking your sins away.
Journal Station prompt: Imagine you took a walk with Jesus like the 2 men on the road to Emmaus. What kind of questions would you ask Jesus? What would you say to Him? Write about it.
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Luke 24:13-34. Draw a picture of the story or write to God about your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you liked it.
Art Station prompt: How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is alive and has forgiven your sins? Draw a picture of it.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Artrageous Community Builder
- Directions: Give each kid a piece of paper and a marker or pen. Tell the kids to draw a picture of their dream pet—real or imaginary! When finished, have the kids take turns showing their drawing and allowing the others to guess what they drew.
+ Walk the Line (Application Activity)
- Set Up: Place a 10-15 foot (3-4.5 meters) long strip of tape on the floor.
- Say: Today we learned why the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is so important. When Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment for our sins. Thanks to Him, we can now be forgiven and spend forever with Him in Heaven. We’re going to do an activity right now that will help us figure out which of us truly needs forgiveness.
- Directions: Line your group up at one end of the tape line. Challenge the kids to walk on the line without stepping off. If they step off of the tape line, they’re out and must return to the back of the line. At first, it will be easy, but then introduce some of the following additional challenges: walk backwards, bear crawl, hop on one foot, hop backwards on one foot, close your eyes, etc. For the last round, quickly spin each kid in circles 10-12 times before they walk the line. Inevitably, the kids will be dizzy and step off of the line before reaching the end.
- Say: In the end, everybody stepped off of the line at least once. That’s kind of like what the Bible says about sin. (Open your Bible to Romans 3:23 and read aloud, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”) Staying on the tape line is kind of like following Jesus without messing up or sinning. But at some point we all step off the line. We all break God’s rules and sin. That means we all need to be forgiven.
- Questions:
- If you tried really hard, how long do you think you could go without messing up or sinning?
- What do you think you have to do to get God’s forgiveness and spend forever in Heaven with Him?
+ Toss-A-Verse (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Directions: Place the Bible verse sign in the middle of the group and read it carefully with your kids several times so they can begin to memorize it. Practice saying it together a few times. When everyone is ready, turn the sign over so they can no longer read it. Today’s Bible verse says: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13. Tell the kids they’re going to toss an imaginary object to each other. The kid who catches the object has to say the next word in the verse. Let the kids take turns deciding what the imaginary object will be. It could be something really small, like a feather; really big, like a refrigerator; or really hot, like a fireball. They’ll have to adjust how they throw the object based on what’s being thrown. Continue throwing the object until the whole verse has been recited. When finished, have the entire group say the whole verse together. Next, choose a different imaginary object and begin another round. Continue playing rounds until the kids have confidently memorized the verse. When finished, ask the following question:
- Question: Do you think there’s a sin so big and bad that Jesus can’t save you from it? Why or why not? (The answer is NO! Jesus’ death is enough to cover any sin, no matter how big or bad.)
+ Artrageous Prayers (Prayer Activity)
- Set up: Provide one plain white self-adhesive name badge for each kid in the group. Hang a piece of poster board or butcher block paper on a wall in the room. At the top of the board write the words, “I give my PRAISE to God.”
- Directions: Give each kid in your group a blank name badge sticker. Place some colored markers in the middle of the group. Tell the kids to think of something that is awesome about God or something awesome that God did and draw or write about it on their name badge. When finished, allow the kids to show their prayer art and talk about it. Next, lead your group in a closing prayer. Encourage the kids to praise God and tell Him He’s awesome. Finally, when the prayer is over, lead the kids to the poster board sign that says, “I give my PRAISE to God.” Tell them to give their praise to God by removing the sticker and sticking it to the sign. In the end, the kids will have created a visual art collage. Consider keeping the collages on the wall throughout the remainder of the “Artrageous” series.
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Jesus, you died and rose from the dead so that I can know for sure that all my sins have been forgiven. Thank you! Now I know that I will live forever with you! Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read in the Bible the story that was the basis for this week’s lesson:
Luke 24:13-35
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!