Walking with Jesus

Guess Who?

Facilitator instructions: This game works best when everyone feels comfortable sharing. Give each person a small piece of paper and a pen. Ask them to write the name of someone they admire or look up to, along with three clues about that person. The clues should start more general and get more specific. Collect the papers, mix them up, and read one set of clues aloud at a time. Let the group guess who it is before moving to the next. Keep it light and fun, and encourage everyone to participate.

Alright, let’s start with a fun challenge. You’re going to think of someone you admire—someone who inspires you or makes you want to be better. Write their name on your paper, and then give us three clues about them. Make your clues interesting but not too obvious at first. Once you’re done, hand me your paper, and we’ll see how well we can guess.

As we play, notice how we can figure out who someone is by listening closely to the details. Sometimes we guess quickly because the clues are clear. Other times, it takes a few more hints before we realize who it is. That’s a lot like how we recognize people in real life. We notice certain traits, habits, or things they say that help us figure out who they are.

Now, here’s the connection to what we’re learning today. In the story we’re about to hear, two disciples were walking along a road with a man they didn’t recognize. They were sad and confused about what had happened to Jesus. This man listened to them, explained the Scriptures, and even shared a meal with them. It wasn’t until one special moment that they finally realized it was Jesus. Just like in our game, they needed clues to see the truth.

Today, we’re going to talk about how Jesus reveals Himself in our lives. Sometimes the clues are big, but more often, they are small and easy to miss. If we pay attention, we can see that Jesus is walking with us, guiding us, and helping us just like He did for those disciples. Let’s dive into the story and see how this all unfolds.

Read Luke 24:13-35, the Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A:

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?”

They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?”

And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”

They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.

Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”

And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.

As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”

Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

Luke 24:13-35

Have you ever felt lost or confused? Maybe you’ve been in a season of life where you didn’t know what to do next, or you were facing a challenge that felt too big for you. That’s exactly how the disciples felt on the Road to Emmaus. They had just seen Jesus, the one they believed to be the Savior, suffer and die. They were heartbroken, confused, and unsure about what would happen next. But here’s the amazing part: even in their sadness and doubt, Jesus was right there walking with them. They didn’t recognize Him at first, but He was there every step of the way.

Sometimes in our own lives, we can be just like those disciples. We get so focused on our struggles that we don’t realize Jesus is beside us. Maybe you’ve been stressed about school, friendships, or family problems. Maybe you’ve had moments when you felt far from God. In those times, it’s easy to think we’re walking alone. But the truth is, Jesus is with us, even when we don’t see Him. He’s guiding us, comforting us, and helping us take the next step forward.

Jesus doesn’t always show up in the ways we expect. The disciples thought He was gone forever, but He came to them quietly, walking on the road like any other traveler. In the same way, Jesus might not appear to us in a huge, dramatic moment. Instead, He often comes to us in small ways—a kind word from a friend, a moment of peace during prayer, a song at Mass that touches your heart, or even a Bible verse that feels like it’s speaking directly to you. At first, you might not realize that these moments are from Him. But when you look back, you can often see that Jesus was working in your life all along.

Think about a time when you were struggling and someone reached out to help you. Maybe they encouraged you, prayed for you, or simply listened. Those moments could have been Jesus reaching out to you through another person. Or maybe you’ve experienced a sudden sense of peace in the middle of a stressful time—that too could be Jesus reminding you that He is near. These are not accidents. They are ways that Jesus walks with us, just like He did with the disciples.

On the road, Jesus didn’t just walk silently with the disciples. He talked with them. He explained the Scriptures so they could understand the bigger picture. He showed them that His suffering and death were part of God’s plan to bring new life. That’s important for us too—sometimes we need to slow down and let Jesus speak to us through the Bible, prayer, or the wisdom of others. It’s in these moments that our eyes can begin to open.

The moment the disciples finally recognized Him was when He broke bread with them. This was something deeply personal and familiar. For us, this points to the Eucharist. Every time we receive the Eucharist at Mass, we meet the same Jesus who walked on the road to Emmaus. He gives Himself to us so we can be strengthened and reminded that He is alive and with us.

So here’s the challenge for you: be open to the ways Jesus is revealing Himself in your life. Pay attention to the small, quiet ways He might be speaking to you. Take time each day to reflect and pray, asking Him to help you see Him more clearly. And when you do recognize Him at work in your life, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it. Tell others how Jesus has been with you.

The disciples didn’t stay in Emmaus after they recognized Jesus. They hurried back to share the good news with others. That’s what we are called to do too. Once we know Jesus is alive and walking with us, we’re called to bring that message to the people around us. And when we do, we help others see that they are never walking alone either.

When you meet in your small groups, encourage everyone to speak from the heart. Remind the group that there are no wrong answers and that this is a safe space to share. Listen with respect and without interrupting. Give everyone a chance to speak, but don’t force anyone who is not ready. You can invite group members to share personal experiences, thoughts, or feelings connected to the story of the Road to Emmaus.

• Have you ever had a time when you felt like you were walking through life alone? What happened?
• Why do you think the disciples did not recognize Jesus at first?
• Can you think of a time when you realized later that Jesus had been helping you, even if you didn’t see it in the moment?
• What are some small ways you think Jesus might be present in your everyday life?
• How does the story of the Road to Emmaus change the way you think about Jesus being with you?
• The disciples recognized Jesus when He broke bread with them. What are some ways you have felt close to Jesus during Mass or prayer?
• After the disciples recognized Jesus, they told others right away. How can you share with others that Jesus is alive and with us?

This week, take some quiet time and really think about how Jesus has shown Himself in your life. Remember moments when you felt comfort, guidance, or support. Maybe it came through a friend’s kind words, a Bible verse that stood out to you, or a deep sense of peace while you prayed. Even if you didn’t see it at the time, Jesus has been walking with you.

If you’re comfortable, share one of these moments with someone you trust. Talking about what Jesus has done in your life can help you grow in faith and might help someone else see Him in their own life too.

As you go through your week, keep walking with Jesus like the disciples did. Pray, read Scripture, and stay open to His presence. The more time you spend with Him, the more you’ll notice He’s right there beside you.

Lead the group in a prayer thanking God for revealing Himself to us and asking for the grace to recognize Jesus in our daily lives.

Loving Father, we thank you for the story of the Road to Emmaus, where Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after His resurrection. We ask for your guidance and strength as we walk through our own struggles and doubts, and as we strive to recognize Jesus in our daily lives. Help us to see Him in unexpected ways and to walk with Him as our friend and Savior.

Lord, just as the disciples’ eyes were opened as they broke bread with Jesus, we ask that you open our eyes to the truth of your love and the gift of the Eucharist. May we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread and be filled with His grace and love.

We also are grateful for your blessings on our small groups. May we continue to encourage and support one another in our faith journeys.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Themes

• Recognizing Jesus Daily: We can see Jesus in the people and events around us. He is with us in simple and ordinary moments. Learning to notice His presence helps us grow closer to Him.
• Scripture Opens Our Eyes: The Bible helps us understand God’s plan. Reading and reflecting on Scripture shows us how God works in our lives. It helps us trust Him more.
• Jesus Walks With Us: Just like the disciples, we are never alone. Jesus walks beside us in joy and in sadness. He guides us on our journey.
• Faith During Doubt: Even when we feel uncertain, Jesus remains with us. He understands our struggles. He patiently helps us find the truth.
• Eucharist Brings Us Close: We meet Jesus in a special way at Mass. The breaking of bread reminds us of His love. In the Eucharist, He is truly present.
• Sharing the Good News: Once we know Jesus is with us, we can tell others. Sharing our faith can encourage and inspire. It spreads hope to the people around us.
• God’s Plan in Suffering: The cross was part of God’s plan for life and hope. Our struggles can lead to growth and deeper trust. God can bring good from hard times.
• Patience in Faith: We do not always see God’s work right away. Waiting and trusting is part of following Him. Over time, His plan becomes clear.
• Jesus Reveals Himself Personally: Jesus comes to each of us in ways we understand. He knows what will touch our hearts. His love is personal and real.
• Hope in the Risen Lord: The resurrection changes everything. Because Jesus is alive, we have hope. We can trust Him with our future.

Background Material

The story of the Road to Emmaus is found in Luke 24:13-35. It takes place on the same day Jesus rose from the dead. Two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus. They were talking about everything that had happened, especially the crucifixion. They were sad and confused. Jesus came and walked with them, but they did not recognize Him. He explained the Scriptures to them, showing how everything pointed to His suffering, death, and resurrection.

This story teaches that Jesus is alive and present with His followers. He walks with us in our own journeys, even when we do not realize it. The disciples’ eyes were opened when He broke bread with them. This moment points us to the Eucharist, where we meet Jesus in a real and personal way. In the Mass, we hear the Word of God and then share in the breaking of bread, just as the disciples did.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist “the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.” (CCC 1374). This means that in the consecrated bread and wine, Jesus is truly with us. The Road to Emmaus shows how the Word of God and the Eucharist together lead us to recognize Jesus. We hear Him speak through Scripture. We receive Him in the Sacrament.

This story also connects to the Catholic teaching about how God reveals Himself. The Catechism teaches that God’s plan is shown through Scripture, Tradition, and the life of the Church (CCC 80-82). Jesus explained the Scriptures to the disciples so they could see the bigger picture. In the same way, the Church helps us understand God’s Word and how it applies to our lives.

The journey of the disciples reminds us of our own walk of faith. Sometimes we feel far from God or cannot see His presence. We might doubt or feel confused. But Jesus stays with us. He listens to our concerns and patiently helps us understand. This is part of the Church’s mission: to walk with people, to share God’s Word, and to bring them to the Sacraments.

The Road to Emmaus also teaches us to share the Good News. After the disciples recognized Jesus, they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the others. This is what the Church calls evangelization—telling others about Jesus so they can come to know Him too. Pope Francis often said that every Christian is a missionary. We are called to share our encounter with Jesus in our words and actions.

In this lesson, young people can see how Jesus works in their lives today. They can learn to listen for His voice in Scripture, to meet Him in the Eucharist, and to share their faith with others. The Road to Emmaus is not just a story from the past. It is a reminder that Jesus still walks with us, speaks to us, and reveals Himself to us in ways we can see and understand.

Music Suggestions

• Open the Eyes of My Heart by Michael W. Smith
• Two Were Bound for Emmaus by Bob Hurd
• Way Maker by Sinach