The Road to Emmaus: Bible Story for Kids

The Stranger on the Road

Presence
Hope
Resurrection

Bible reference:: Luke 24:13-35
Ages:: 3-10
Reading time:: 5 minutes
Pages:: 32

The Road to Emmaus, walked with Cleopas and his friend while their shoulders are still bent with grief. A stranger falls into step and starts opening the Scriptures, and something warm begins to catch behind their ribs. They do not know who He is. You will, long before they do.

Good for: Feeling Sad

Read the full illustrated story in the app

The story arc

Four moments that carry the story. Tap any Bible reference to read the passage.

1
The Heavy Walk
Cleopas and his friend walk the long, dusty road. Their feet are heavy with sadness because they think Jesus is dead.
Luke 24:13-17Read the Bible passage
¹³Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. ¹⁴They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. ¹⁵While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. ¹⁶But their eyes were kept from recognising him. ¹⁷He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”
Luke 24:13-17 (World English Bible, British Edition)
2
The Burning Heart
A Stranger joins them. As He opens the Scriptures and explains God's promises, the travelers feel a warm, growing light in their hearts.
Luke 24:27-32Read the Bible passage
²⁷Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. ²⁸They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further. ²⁹They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them. ³⁰When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. ³¹Their eyes were opened and they recognised him; then he vanished out of their sight. ³²They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:27-32 (World English Bible, British Edition)
3
The Reveal
They invite the Stranger to stay for dinner. When He breaks the bread, their eyes are opened—it's Jesus! Then, He vanishes.
Luke 24:30-31Read the Bible passage
³⁰When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. ³¹Their eyes were opened and they recognised him; then he vanished out of their sight.
Luke 24:30-31 (World English Bible, British Edition)
4
The Joyful Run
Their heavy sadness is completely gone! They run all seven miles back in the dark to share the greatest news ever: He is alive!
Luke 24:33Read the Bible passage
³³They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them,
Luke 24:33 (World English Bible, British Edition)

Core truths

THE WORD

We might not see Jesus with our eyes today, but when we hear God's Word, He makes our hearts "burn" with truth and comfort.

THE PRESENCE BADGE

Awarded for trusting that Jesus is walking right beside you, even when you feel sad or alone.

JOY

When we realize Jesus is with us, our heavy feet become light, and our sadness turns into a joyful run!

Why it matters

Validates a child's feelings of sadness or loneliness, showing that Jesus walks with us in our grief.
Uses fun "dramatic irony" (the child knows it's Jesus, but the characters don't) to keep young readers highly engaged.
Transitions kids from the "historical Jesus" to the "personal Jesus" who speaks to us through the Bible today.

Let's talk and pray

Talk

The two friends didn't know it was Jesus at first. What made their hearts feel warm while they were walking? Even when we can't see Jesus, how can we feel Him close to us?

Pray

Dear Jesus, thank You that You walk with me every single day. Sometimes I feel sad or tired, just like the men on the road. Please open my eyes to see You. Amen.