This is week #2 of Rooted, and we are walking through scripture, looking at its journey and destination. Is there something that connects each story in the Biblical journey? Is there a destination toward which scripture is moving us and pointing? If so, what is it? Let’s talk about it.

Luke 24:13-35

On the Road to Emmaus

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

For Adult Homes, Groups, and Families with Kids
1. Read Luke 24:13-35. If you have young children, use the ICB or another kid-friendly translation.
2. Without looking at your Bible, list as many big or small stories from the Old Testament as your group can brainstorm (creation, the fall, David and Goliath, etc.).
3. Whether you wrote down three things or 30 things, try and put them in chronological order as best you can remember. Don’t worry about checking for accuracy.
4. Following along with the events, draw a line that shows how the trajectory changes with each event, making the line go higher for “good” events and making the line go lower for “bad” events. (For example, the line should start being really high since creation was “very good.”)
5. Once you have the line completed, what is the overall trajectory of things after creation? Up? Steeply up? Down? Steeply down?
6. Now add the following five events to the end of the list and extend the line accordingly: (1) Jesus’ birth, (2) Jesus’ death, (3) Jesus’ resurrection, (4) Jesus’ ascension, (5) Jesus’ future return.
7. How did that change the trajectory of things?
8. Does it feel like Jesus had that same impact on the trajectory of your life?
9. Pray and thank God that the story did not end before Jesus.