Hey there, amazing teens of our small but mighty Bible-believing church! Today, we’re diving deep into a story that’s not only rich in history but is also incredibly relevant to our lives as young Christians. We’re going to talk about “The Emmaus Road Encounter” and how it teaches us to experience Jesus’ presence daily and recognize Him in Scripture.
Life as a teenager can be filled with ups and downs, questions, and uncertainties. In this phase of life, it’s vital for you to strengthen your faith and build a personal relationship with Jesus. The Emmaus Road story provides us with powerful lessons on how to do just that.
Opening Prayer
Let’s begin by praying together:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for this opportunity to come together as a youth group and delve into Your Word. We pray that Your Holy Spirit guides our discussion and opens our hearts to understanding. Help us to experience Your presence in our lives and recognize You in the Scriptures. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Bible Reading: Luke 24:13-16
“That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:13-16, ESV)
Explanation For Teenagers:
- The Emmaus Road is a journey taken by two disciples who were discouraged and confused after Jesus’ crucifixion.
- They were discussing the events that had taken place in Jerusalem, but they were unable to recognize Jesus when He joined them.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- Have you ever felt confused or discouraged in your faith journey? How did it make you feel?
- What do you think prevented the disciples from recognizing Jesus when He walked with them?
- How might our own preconceived ideas or distractions keep us from recognizing Jesus’ presence in our lives?
Bible Reading: Luke 24:27
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27, ESV)
Explanation For Teenagers:
- Jesus explained how the Old Testament Scriptures pointed to Him.
- This shows us the importance of recognizing Jesus in the Scriptures as we seek to deepen our faith.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- Why is it essential for us, as teenagers, to study the Scriptures and discover how they point to Jesus?
- What steps can you take to read the Bible with the intent of recognizing Jesus in its pages?
- Share a Bible verse that has helped you recognize Jesus’ presence or teachings in your life.
Youth Group Game: “Scripture Scavenger Hunt”
Let’s make Bible study fun! Split into teams and go on a scavenger hunt through the church, looking for items or clues related to specific Bible verses. The team that finds the most items or clues and correctly identifies the associated verses wins a prize.
Bible Reading: Luke 24:30-32
“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'” (Luke 24:30-32, ESV)
Explanation For Teenagers:
- The disciples recognized Jesus when He broke the bread.
- Their hearts burned with a newfound understanding of the Scriptures.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- How did the breaking of bread help the disciples recognize Jesus? What does this symbolize for us in our faith journey?
- Have you ever had a moment when you felt a “burning” in your heart while reading the Bible or during a church service? Share your experience.
- How can we create an environment in our lives and our youth group where we can experience the presence of Jesus more profoundly?
Closing Prayer
As we conclude our Sunday school lesson today, let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for this time of learning and fellowship. May the story of the Emmaus Road inspire us to seek Your presence daily and to recognize You in Your Word. Help us, as teenagers, to grow in faith and walk closely with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Remember, teens, the Emmaus Road story teaches us that Jesus is always with us on our journey of faith. Let’s continue to seek Him daily and allow our hearts to burn with His love and truth. Have a blessed week ahead!