The Road to Emmaus Lesson Plan, Activities, and Worksheet

In this Road to Emmaus lesson plan, students will learn the meaning of this Bible story and how they can apply it to their lives as fellow disciples of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

The Road to Emmaus Lesson Objectives

• Students will be able to summarize the Road to Emmaus story.
• Students will be able to select the best way to encounter Christ at Mass.

Presentation: The Road to Emmaus Bible Story

After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to many of his disciples. He encountered two of these disciples shortly after his death and resurrection just outside of Jerusalem on the road to a village called Emmaus. 

Read this story in the Gospel of Luke 24:13–35 or read this kid version of the story here:

Read the Road to Emmaus Bible Story for Kids >

You can also show the students this video summary and explanation of the Road to Emmaus story:

The Road to Emmaus Worksheet

Download and print this Road to Emmaus Worksheet, which includes summary questions about the story and two questions about preparing for Mass which will be expanded further in the next activity.

Download the Road to Emmaus Worksheet

This worksheet is one of the hundreds of worksheets available to members of The Religion Teacher. Learn more here.

The Road to Emmaus Scripture Meditation Activity

The disciples said that their hearts were burning within them when Jesus opened up the Scriptures and explained their meaning to them.

Spend more time reading the Bible in a deeper way. Here is a list of ways we can reflect more deeply on the Word of God in the Bible. Pick at least one way in which you will allow Christ to touch your heart by opening up the Scriptures and test it out by re-reading the Road to Emmaus story.

• Research the Reading: Read the footnotes in your Bible. Search for videos, commentaries, and explanations that describe the meaning of a Bible story or verse.
• Pick a Word: Read a Bible passage and pick one word that is meaningful to you. Why do you think God wants you to reflect on this word today?
• Pick a Phrase: Read a Bible passage and pick a phrase or sentence that you find interesting. Re-read this phrase over and over again and ask the Lord to help you find meaning within it today.

For more ways to reflect on the readings, use one of the many worksheets in the Lectio Divina for Children and Teens worksheet pack.

The Road to Emmaus and the Eucharist Meditation Activity

The disciples finally recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. It would be fitting for us to spend some time in prayer with the Blessed Sacrament, the consecrated bread that has becomes the Body of Christ. Spend some time in prayer in the church/chapel in front of the tabernacle. If possible, spend time before the Lord in Eucharistic adoration.

Discuss or reflect on this question:

In what ways do you recognize Jesus Christ during Mass?

Consider these answers:

• Songs
• Statues
• Stained-glass Windows
• People gathered in the church
• The priest
• The deacon
• The words of the prayers (which ones?)
• Your feelings during or after the celebration

Find more Catholic Mass activities here.

A Road to Emmaus Prayer

Use this prayer or ask God in your own words to help you have a more meaningful Mass experience:

Lord Jesus Christ,
You give hope to those in despair.
Just as you appeared to your disciples on the road to Emmaus,
make your presence known to us in your Sacred Scripture.
Set our hearts on fire when we read or listen to your Word.
Open our eyes, that we might see your face in the breaking of the bread.
Give us the courage to share our days with you
so that others might come to know, love, and serve you as well.
We ask all this in your name, Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen

Assessment: The Road to Emmaus Summary Activity

Check to make sure your students can summarize the Road to Emmaus Bible story.

Have students draw a picture of a road or recreate a map with a road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Have them label 3-5 events they remember from the story along the road.

Some of the events in their summaries may include:

1. The disciples set out from Jerusalem to Emmaus.
2. The disciples meet Jesus, but they do not recognize him.
3. The disciples explain to Jesus what they were talking about.
4. Jesus explains the Scriptures to the disciples and their hearts were burning with amazement.
5. They arrive at Emmaus and Jesus shares a meal with the disciples.
6. Jesus blesses and breaks the bread. The disciples recognize him.
7. The disciples run back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples about what happened.

Other Road to Emmaus Activities

Here are some activity ideas from other websites that you might find useful in your Road to Emmaus lesson plan:

• Road to Emmaus Group Activities (Sermons 4 Kids)
• Road to Emmaus Object Lesson (Future Flying Saucers)
• Road to Emmaus Fill-in-the-Blank Worksheet (Biblewise Kids’ Korner)
• Road to Emmaus Activities (The Catholic Toolbox)
• Road to Emmaus Puppet Craft (Crafting the Word of God)