Children's Liturgy Guide

3rd Sunday of Easter

Year A · Easter

Jesus Walks with Us

Reading: Luke 24:13-35

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Two friends were walking and feeling very sad because Jesus had died. A stranger walked with them and helped them understand, and when he broke bread with them, they realized it was Jesus alive again!

Key Points

  • Jesus came to walk alongside his sad friends even when they did not recognize him
  • Jesus explained the scriptures to help them understand God's plan
  • The two friends recognized Jesus when he broke bread with them
  • When we realize Jesus is with us, our hearts feel warm and joyful
  • Jesus is risen and stays close to us, especially when we are sad or confused

Background

This post-resurrection appearance emphasizes how the risen Christ accompanies his disciples even when they fail to recognize him. The Emmaus narrative moves from despair through instruction to recognition in the breaking of bread, a clear Eucharistic reference. The phrase 'their eyes were opened' signals divine revelation, echoing Genesis and indicating that recognizing the risen Lord requires grace. For children, emphasize that Jesus walks with us when we are sad and that we can find him in special moments, especially at Mass when the priest breaks the bread. Set aside the detailed scriptural exegesis Jesus provides and the theological complexities of resurrection appearances.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Jesus, thank you for always walking beside us, even when we cannot see you. Help us to notice you today and fill our hearts with Easter joy. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever felt really sad about something, and then someone came and helped you feel better? What did they do?

Example: One time I was crying because I lost my favorite stuffed animal, and my grandma sat with me and helped me look for it and that made me feel so much better.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes when we are sad, having someone walk beside us and talk to us makes everything feel different. In today's reading, two friends were very, very sad, and someone special came to walk right beside them.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Where were the two friends walking to?

    Example: They were walking to a village called Emmaus, and it was pretty far away from Jerusalem where they had been staying.

  2. How were the two friends feeling as they walked, and why?

    Example: They were really sad and upset because Jesus had died on the cross and they thought everything was over and ruined.

  3. What happened when the stranger broke the bread at dinner?

    Example: When he broke the bread, suddenly their eyes were opened and they could see that the stranger was actually Jesus the whole time!

  4. Why do you think the friends said their hearts were burning inside them?

    Example: I think their hearts felt warm and excited because Jesus was talking to them and explaining things, even though they did not know it was him yet.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How does it feel to know that Jesus walks with you even when you cannot see him?

    Example: It makes me feel happy and not so scared because even if I feel alone, Jesus is really there with me the whole time.

  2. What could you do when a friend at school is feeling sad or lonely?

    Example: I could go walk with them at recess and talk to them and be their friend so they know someone cares about them.

  3. This week at Mass, what will you think about when you see the priest break the bread?

    Example: I will remember that this is when the friends knew it was Jesus, and I will think about how Jesus is really there with us too.

Recap

Today we heard about two sad friends who met a stranger on the road. The stranger walked with them and talked with them. When he broke bread at dinner, they suddenly knew it was Jesus, alive again! Jesus walks with us too, and we can find him when we gather at Mass.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For children who feel sad or lonely, that they may know Jesus is walking beside them, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

When the priest breaks the large host during the Lamb of God, this mirrors the exact moment when the two friends recognized Jesus as he broke the bread at their table.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for walking beside us and filling our hearts with joy. Help us to see you this week and to share your love with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Jesus Walks with Us

Luke 24:13-35

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

A S D D H C A N N G K Q N G Y
D J E S U S D K F A H J N U G
E L Z D Y G R E G N A R T S N
F A E Z S I F F S I E U M D N
B J S H E A R T D V M F W I F
I O Z T A Y R P E J M L S K D
E Y U F E C I U K W A C J X A
Y J G R F R L C U A U G F K E
E F N I Q M W M S L S E F T R
S R E E E S W R C K O G H V B
M W S N R U D J Y I N R E L I
W B I D Q P P B K N B U D F R
K U R S P P O X T G L L Z U K
M K T P V E L J V Q P Z K R T
Z P T B C R C T Z A V E Y R I

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Emmaus
  • walking
  • bread
  • friends
  • risen
  • heart
  • eyes
  • stranger
  • supper
  • joy
  • Easter

ChildrensLiturgy.org