The Schools Bible ProjectThis is a literacy project connected to Bible stories for secondary schools across the UK.

Choose one of the events, read about it, think about it, then write about it as if you had actually been present. You can choose one of the characters and write it from their perspective or you can invent a character for yourself.

Maximum of 5 pages/1000 words. You can illustrate it but please don’t laminate. Do make a copy as you won’t get the piece of work back.

Make sure you include full name and date of birth IN BLOCK CAPITALS, year group and school’s full name and address.

Send to; The Schools Bible Project, The Vicarage, Cressingham Road, Lewisham, London SA13 5AG by 30th June

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The Wedding at Cana John 2:1-12

On the third day there was a wedding. It took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Dear woman, why are you telling me about this?” Jesus replied. “The time for me to show who I really am isn’t here yet.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do what he tells you.”

6 Six stone water jars stood nearby. The Jews used water from that kind of jar for special washings. They did that to make themselves pure and “clean.” Each jar could hold 20 to 30 gallons.

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the top.

8 Then he told them, “Now dip some out. Take it to the person in charge of the dinner.”

They did what he said. 9 The person in charge tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He didn’t realize where it had come from. But the servants who had brought the water knew. Then the person in charge called the groom to one side. 10 He said to him, “Everyone brings out the best wine first. They bring out the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink. But you have saved the best until now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana in Galilee was the first of his signs. Jesus showed his glory by doing this sign. And his disciples believed in him.

12 After this, Jesus went down to Capernaum. His mother and brothers and disciples went with him. They all stayed there for a few days.

Game

Two teams both with a transparent jug with the bottom half covered with tape. The bottom of the jug filled with red squash. The teams also have a large jar of water and a small cup. They have to have a relay race, carrying water from the jar to fill the jug. The first team to fill their jug wins.

Drama

The Cana Rap

Characters:ServantMaryJesusMaster of the banquetVoiceProps:6 jars  

Servant:A wedding is coming! It’s happening today!I’m the busiest servant, I really must say!

Everyone in Cana will be here, it’s true.And I’ve got so much to finish and do.(enter Mary and Jesus)

Well, look there is Mary and Jesus her son.He brought all his buddies. I hope they have fun.

Voice (offstage):Hey, Servant, be quick, the wine has run out!

Servant:No wine?! Keep it down. You don’t have to shout.

If we’re all out of wine, then the party is done.But lucky there's Mary, and Jesus, her son.

Mary:The wine is all gone? And the feast just began!We'll think of something. We’ll do what we can.

Jesus, my boy, can you help with the wine?

Jesus:Mary, Dear mother, this is not my time.

Mary:Pish-posh. Servant-boy, here’s what you do:Do whatever my son Jesus tells you to do.

(Mary exits.)

Servant:Here are six jars used for hand washing.

Jesus:Fill them with water—to the top ‘til they’re sloshing. 

(Servant exits and returns with jars.)

Jesus:Now draw some out and take it to your master. Servant:I’ll be as quick as I can—no servant is faster! 

(Master pops up. He takes a drink.)

Master:Why this is delicious! I’ve never had wine so good.You saved the best for last. I didn’t think that you would!

(Master exits.)

Servant: (to Jesus)

 That was amazing! A miracle! A wonder!You’ve given me a lot in my head I must ponder!

Jesus:It was a miracle for sure, that much is true.But it's only the beginning of what I will do.My Kingdom is coming and soon drawing near.God party has started, and your invitation's right here.

Information on the story

Where?

What? The first miracle that Jesus ever did.

Six stone water jars - why were they at the wedding? They were used for ritual washing. Washing rituals were very important to the people of the Old Testament. Therefore the water in the jars would have been dirty water which people had washed their hands in.

The size of these six stone jars is also important. The story tells us that each jar contained approximately 20 to 30 gallons! That means Jesus’ miracle produced more wine than could possibility be needed for the feast. (A gallon is nearly 4 litres)

The number of jars is also interesting because the number six often represents imperfection or incompleteness and perhaps shows Jesus himself completing the number by performing the miracle.

Perspective

You could tell the story from the perspective of Mary, the Servant, the Master or perhaps even the bride or groom at the wedding.

The raising of Lazarus John 11:1-44

A man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived. 2 Mary would later pour perfume on the Lord. She would also wipe Jesus’ feet with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick in bed. 3 So the sisters sent a message to Jesus. “Lord,” they told him, “the one you love is sick.”

4 When Jesus heard this, he said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory. God’s Son will receive glory because of it.” 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So after he heard Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was for two more days. 7 And then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short time ago the Jews there tried to kill you with stones. Are you still going back?”

9 Jesus answered, “Aren’t there 12 hours of daylight? Anyone who walks during the day won’t trip and fall. They can see because of this world’s light. 10 But when they walk at night, they’ll trip and fall. They have no light.”

11 After he said this, Jesus went on speaking to them. “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep,” he said. “But I am going there to wake him up.”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he’s sleeping, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking about the death of Lazarus. But his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 For your benefit, I am glad I was not there. Now you will believe. But let us go to him.”

16 Then Thomas, who was also called Didymus, spoke to the rest of the disciples. “Let us go also,” he said. “Then we can die with Jesus.”

17 When Jesus arrived, he found out that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem. 19 Many Jews had come to Martha and Mary. They had come to comfort them because their brother was dead. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him. But Mary stayed at home.

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “I wish you had been here! Then my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you anything you ask for.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again. This will happen when people are raised from the dead on the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even if they die. 26 And whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied. “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God. I believe that you are the one who is supposed to come into the world.”

28 After she said this, she went back home. She called her sister Mary to one side to talk to her. “The Teacher is here,” Martha said. “He is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Jesus had not yet entered the village. He was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 Some Jews had been comforting Mary in the house. They noticed how

quickly she got up and went out. So they followed her. They thought she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32 Mary reached the place where Jesus was. When she saw him, she fell at his feet. She said, “Lord, I wish you had been here! Then my brother would not have died.”

33 Jesus saw her crying. He saw that the Jews who had come along with her were crying also. His spirit became very sad, and he was troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how much he loved him!”

37 But some of them said, “He opened the eyes of the blind man. Couldn’t he have kept this man from dying?”

38 Once more Jesus felt very sad. He came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone in front of the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad smell. Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days.”

40 Then Jesus said, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you will see God’s glory?”

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up. He said, “Father, I thank you for hearing me. 42 I know that you always hear me. But I said this for the benefit of the people standing here. I said it so they will believe that you sent me.”

43 Then Jesus called in a loud voice. He said, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out. His hands and feet were wrapped with strips of linen. A cloth was around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the clothes he was buried in and let him go.”

Game

Have two volunteers come to the front. Wrap them up using toilet roll, leaving space for their eyes and mouth. Once you shout ‘Lazarus come out’ the first one to get free wins.

Drama

Martha and Mary

Martha - Why has he not come? We thought he loved us – Lazarus, Mary and me. So when Lazarus got sick, of course we sent a message straight to Jesus. And then we waited. And we waited. And nothing. No word. No visit. Nothing.

Mary - And then Lazarus died. Of course we called the doctor to come. But there was nothing he could do. We didn’t really expect it.

Martha - But Jesus…. We knew he could heal Lazarus. We have seen him heal so many people of every disease you can think of. And he has been such a loving friend to us. So of course at first he was the only person we thought of to help.

Mary - We sent an urgent message. But that was four days ago, and … he has not come. Not even for Lazarus’s funeral. We have lost our brother, and what are we going to do?

Martha - You are not going to believe this! I can hardly believe it myself. It is the most amazing thing I have ever known.

Mary - Jesus came.

Martha - When I heard Jesus had arrived, I rushed out to him, crying so hard I could barely see where I was going. I fell down in front of him. "Lord," I said, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Jesus gently lifted me up, and said, “Martha, your brother will rise again." I did not realise he meant now, of course – I thought he meant later, at the end of the world.

Mary - “Take me to the cave where he’s buried,” Jesus said, and when we got there, Jesus cried. I have never seen him do that before, and it made me realise he really did care. Jesus said, “Anyone who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." Then he said, “Roll away the stone in front of the cave.”

Martha - “But Jesus,” I said. “Lazarus has been dead for four days. He will stink now.”

Mary - Jesus didn’t answer. He just shouted in a really loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”

Martha - What happened next stunned us all. One moment we were all crying fit to burst, and the next we were astonished as Lazarus walked out of the cave. We could hardly believe it.

Mary - “Go on, take off his grave clothes,” Jesus said. We rushed to do that, and then you can’t believe the shouting and singing and dancing and celebration … It went on for the rest of the day and way into the night.

Martha - We were so happy we didn’t notice Jesus slip away, but when we looked for him he was gone. Just like him. But we’ll see him again soon, and then we can really thank him for this most amazing thing he has done.

Other resources

Spread out the different colours. Talk about the way different moods and feelings match different colours, like yellow or green for illness, red for anger, blue for sadness. In some countries, black is the colour that people wear at funerals, and in some countries, it's white.

What colour would the children choose for death? And for life?

And sometimes feelings need more complicated mixtures, and we won't always agree.

2. Tell the story in sections. Jesus was a friend of a certain family. There were two sisters and one brother in this family. The sisters were called Martha and Mary, and the brother was called Lazarus. One day Lazarus fell ill - very ill.

What colour might go with how Lazarus felt?

What about the colour for how his sisters might have felt?

The sisters sent for Jesus, with a message that said, 'Come quickly, your friend Lazarus is dying.'

How do they think Jesus felt? Choose a colour.

But Jesus stayed where he was. Jesus waited for two whole days before he left.

How do they think the sisters felt when Jesus didn't come? Choose a colour.

By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days and was in a tomb.

What colour would go with Martha now?

Martha met Jesus and said, 'Lord, if you'd been here, my brother wouldn't have died. But even now, I know that God will do anything you ask.'

Jesus said, 'I am the resurrection and the life.'

What colour goes with these words?

Jesus continued, 'Anyone who believes in me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?'

And Martha replied, 'Yes Lord. I believe you are the Son of God.'

What colour would go with Martha now?

Martha ran to get Mary, who fell at Jesus' feet crying, and Jesus, too, burst into tears.

What colour would go with Jesus now?

They took Jesus to the tomb and he told them to open up the tomb door. Martha was worried that the body would be smelly.

What colour would they put with Lazarus?

Jesus prayed, then called out, 'Lazarus, come out!'

And Lazarus came out, still wrapped in his burial cloth.

What colour would go with Lazarus now?

Mary and Martha took Lazarus home, and many people believed in Jesus, though some were angry with him.

Now, if the children had to tell the whole story through colours, what colours would they choose and in what order?

Perspective

Lazarus had two sisters Mary and Martha so you could write as one of them. You could also write as one of the disciples who didn’t understand why Jesus was going back to Bethany to see his friends. There might have been a neighbour to Lazarus who saw all of what was going on – or a doctor who tried to make Lazarus better.

The feeding of the five thousand Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus heard what had happened to John. He wanted to be alone. So he went in a boat to a quiet place. The crowds heard about this. They followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. He healed their sick people.

15 When it was almost evening, the disciples came to him. “There is nothing here,” they said. “It’s already getting late. Send the crowds away. They can go and buy some food in the villages.”

16 Jesus replied, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 Then Jesus directed the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves into pieces. Then he gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the people. 20 All of them ate and were satisfied. The disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftover pieces. 21 The number of men who ate was about 5,000. Women and children also ate.

Game

Over and under game in teams of 10 – passing the ball over and under in a line and saying one word at a time to remember the Bible verse. Jesus took the loaves and fish, thanked God, and he // gave enough to the 5000 people who were seated there (20 words)

Drama

Divide the group into ‘Jesus’ and ‘Disciples’ swap places when those names are mentionedWhen the word ‘miracle’ is mentioned hold your hands up and say – ‘wow!’When the word ‘little’ is mentioned curl up and say ‘not a lot’ and when the word ‘lot’ is mentioned jump up and say ‘from very little’ Can use a parachute to tell the story or just ask the children to make a circle.

Jesus had sent the disciples out into the country and gave them the power to heal sick people and tell others about God's love.  When the disciples returned, they met with Jesus to tell Him about all the people they talked with and had healed.  They were all very excited about their adventures.

The problem was, people followed the disciples so they could find Jesus.  They had seen the miracles – ‘wow!’ He had done and wanted to see more.  But Jesus hadn't even had a chance to eat yet, He needed some time and space so He said to them, "Come with me and we will find a quiet place to talk and get some rest."

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a quiet place.  But many people saw them leaving, recognised them and ran after them.  When Jesus and the disciples arrived, they noticed the large crowd.  He knew that they wanted to hear him, so He began teaching the large crowd many things.

It was starting to get late in the day and none of the people had eaten yet. The disciples came to Jesus and said, "There is no food around here and it’s already getting late.  Maybe we should send the people away so they can go to the surrounding towns and get themselves something to eat."

But Jesus replied, "You give them something to eat." 

They didn’t know what to do, Peter said "We can't feed all these people, we would need a miracle – ‘wow!’" 

While the disciples were talking, one named Andrew noticed a small boy walking by with a little (not a not) lunch.  He stopped the boy and asked him what he had.  He quickly ran over to Jesus and said, "Here is a boy with five small loaves of bread and two small fish, just a little (not a lot) lunch but how far will it go among such a lot (from very little) people?"

Jesus smiled and said, "Ask everyone to sit down." 

There was lots of grass to sit on so everyone was seated -- all five thousand of them.  After everyone was seated, He took the little (not a lot) loaves and fish and thanked God for them.  In the crowd everyone could take as much as they wanted.  There was such a lot (from very little) of food.

There were five thousand people all eating from this boy's little (not a lot) lunch, and they could eat as much as they wanted.  After everyone was full, Jesus asked the disciples to gather all the food that was leftover so nothing would be wasted.  There were 12 baskets of food leftover – still enough to feed a lot (from very little). After the people realized what had happened, they said to each other, "This must be an important person sent from God. This must be a miracle – ‘wow!’" 

Perspective

In another version of the story it is a little boy who gives the 5 loaves and 2 fish to Jesus from his lunch. You could write from his perspective, or from Andrew, the disciple who he offers the lunch to who thinks it’s funny because how could it ever feed all the people gathered there?

The Last Supper Mark 14: 12-26

 It was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. That was the time to sacrifice the Passover lamb. Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?”

13 So he sent out two of his disciples. He told them, “Go into the city. A man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 He will enter a house. Say to its owner, ‘The Teacher asks, “Where is my guest room? Where can I eat the Passover meal with my disciples?” ’ 15 He will show you a large upstairs room. It will have furniture and will be ready. Prepare for us to eat there.”

16 The disciples left and went into the city. They found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover meal.

17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the 12 disciples. 18 While they were at the table eating, Jesus said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. One of you who is eating with me will hand me over to my enemies.”

19 The disciples became sad. One by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

20 “It is one of you,” Jesus replied. “It is the one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But how terrible it will be for the one who hands over the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread. He gave thanks and broke it. He handed it to his disciples and said, “Take it. This is my body.”

23 Then he took a cup. He gave thanks and handed it to them. All of them drank from it.

24 “This is my blood of the covenant,” he said to them. “It is poured out for many. 25 What I’m about to tell you is true. I won’t drink wine with you again until the day I drink it in God’s kingdom.”

26 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.

Game

Jesus asks his friends to share bread and wine again after he is gone to remember him. Play a ‘memory game’ such as ‘I went shopping and I bought…’ adding each time to the list and the last in the group has to remember all the items.

Drama

The disciples come into the upper room together getting ready to eat the meal with Jesus

JUDAS: Where is the servant to wash our feet?  

SIMON: Fine job you two did, preparing for this meal.

JOHN: I did exactly what Jesus sent me to do, no more, no less.  

PETER: Don’t try to blame me either, the owner of the house should have seen to this.  

SIMON: So we’re supposed to eat this holy meal with someone’s stinky feet in our faces?  I think not.  You two, Peter and John, messed up.  You two can be the foot washers.

JOHN: Not me.  I’m one of the great ones, the special ones.  I was taken on the Mount when Jesus was transfigured. (sits as if signalling discussion is over)

PETER: So was I.  And I was allowed in to the house when he raised the dead. (sits as well)

JOHN: So, Judas, you can wash the feet. (JESUS gets up and removes outer garment, wraps towel around waist and pours water in a basin as this argument continues)

JUDAS: I have enough to do keeping track of the money.  (sits and spills contents of money bag on table to count it) Besides, I have things on my mind tonight.  (Everyone else standing sits hurriedly, trying not to be the last one standing)  

PETER: Matthew used to handle all that dirty tax money.  Foot washing wouldn’t be much of a stretch.

MATTHEW: Forget it. Washing feet is a servant’s job.  The lowest servant’s job.

SIMON: Don’t look at me.  I’m not washing any feet. (JESUS kneels and begins washing John’s feet and drying them with a towel.  The disciples are shocked, silent and staring.  Jesus prepares to wash PETER’S feet)

PETER: Lord, are you going to wash my feet?

JESUS: You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.

PETER: (horrified at the thought of JESUS washing his feet) No, you shall never wash my feet.

JESUS:  Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.

PETER: Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!

JESUS: Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you. (JESUS pointedly looks at JUDAS.  JESUS continues to wash feet as lights slowly fade to black)

Other resources

This story has inspired many famous paintings and one of the most famous is this by Leonardo Da Vinci.

You could set up the scene as a tableau with 12 of you taking part and Jesus in the centre around a table. Try and think about what each of the disciples is doing. Are they still arguing at this point? Are they talking about who is going to betray Jesus? Which disciple do you think is which?

Here is a more modern image. What do you think about it? How do the two compare?

Perspective

You could write this story from the perspective of Jesus or any of the disciples. You could think about the man carrying the jar of water who met the disciples or the owner of the house where they were meeting. Perhaps they were close by and saw what happened. There are some accounts which say that Mary the mother of Jesus was in the upper room with the disciples so maybe she saw the Last Supper take place too.

The Resurrection Luke 24:1-48

It was very early in the morning on the first day of the week. The women took the spices they had prepared. Then they went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from it. 3 When they entered the tomb, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 They were wondering about this. Suddenly two men in clothes as bright as lightning stood beside them. 5 The women were terrified. They bowed down with their faces to the ground. Then the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 Jesus is not here! He has risen! Remember how he told you he would rise. It was while he was still with you in Galilee. 7 He said, ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinful people. He must be nailed to a cross. On the third day he will rise from the dead.’ ” 8 Then the women remembered Jesus’ words.

9 They came back from the tomb. They told all these things to the 11 apostles and to all the others. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them were the ones who told the apostles. 11 But the apostles did not believe the women. Their words didn’t make any sense to them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bent over and saw the strips of linen lying by themselves. Then he went away, wondering what had happened.

13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were going to a village called Emmaus. It was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked about those things, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him.

17 Jesus asked them, “What are you talking about as you walk along?”

They stood still, and their faces were sad. 18 One of them was named Cleopas. He said to Jesus, “Are you the only person visiting Jerusalem who doesn’t know? Don’t you know about the things that have happened there in the last few days?”

19 “What things?” Jesus asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet. He was powerful in what he said and did in the sight of God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed Jesus over to be sentenced to death. They nailed him to a cross. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to set Israel free. Also, it is the third day since all this happened. 22 Some of our women amazed us too. Early this morning they went to the tomb. 23 But they didn’t find his body. So they came and told us what they had seen. They saw angels, who said Jesus was alive. 24 Then some of our friends went to the tomb. They saw it was empty, just as the women had said. They didn’t see Jesus’ body there.”

25 Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are! How long it takes you to believe all that the prophets said! 26 Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and then receive his glory?” 27 Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures. He began with Moses and all the Prophets.

28 They approached the village where they were going. Jesus kept walking as if he were going farther. 29 But they tried hard to keep him from leaving. They said, “Stay with us. It is nearly evening. The day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 He joined them at the table. Then he took bread and gave thanks. He broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. But then he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “He explained to us what the Scriptures meant. Weren’t we excited as he talked with us on the road?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the 11 disciples and those with them. They were all gathered together. 34 They were saying, “It’s true! The Lord has risen! He has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then the two of them told what had happened to them on the way. They told how they had recognized Jesus when he broke the bread.

36 The disciples were still talking about this when Jesus himself suddenly stood among them. He said, “May you have peace!”

37 They were surprised and terrified. They thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do you have doubts in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see. A ghost does not have a body or bones. But you can see that I do.”

40 After he said that, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 But they still did not believe it. They were amazed and filled with joy. So Jesus asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of cooked fish. 43 He took it and ate it in front of them.

44 Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you. Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms must come true.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written. The Messiah will suffer. He will rise from the dead on the third day. 47 His followers will preach in his name. They will tell others to turn away from their sins and be forgiven. People from every nation will hear it, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You have seen these things with your own eyes.

Game

Charades – it wasn’t until Cleopas and his friend saw Jesus break the bread like he did at the last supper that they recognised who he really was.

Have some scenarios ready to act out without words to see if they can be recognised. Or play an ordinary game with TV programmes, films etc. and emphasise the importance of action.

Drama

Cleopas and his friend walk through the audience towards the front.

Narrator And on Sunday, two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles out of Jerusalem

Friend I’ll tell you something Cleopas, I can’t get far enough away from the place now. What, with the Roman soldiers crawling around and that earthquake! Everyone’s fearful and confused…..what’s gonna happen next? I just want out.

Cleopas It just full of sadness now.

Friend It was the worst thing I have ever seen. How could anyone want Jesus dead?

Cleopas He was a threat I suppose. (sighs)

Friend You know, when I was with Him, I felt like, like……

Cleopas Like you belonged.

Friend Yeh. But what about that pack of blood-thirsty vultures at his trial!

Cleopas They were clutching at straws, any excuse they could find.

They begin walking again

Friend You know, I was there just recently when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead! Phew, that was something! But now, every time I close my eyes, all I see is Jesus on that cross.

Cleopas And now some women reckon Jesus is alive.

Friend Wishful thinking! Jesus was well and truly dead last I saw.

Cleopas It just seems strange that our friends couldn’t find His body in the tomb.

Friend To me, the whole thing’s madness. His body was probably stolen or something. Better just to accept the fact that He’s dead and gone. Let’s try to get our lives back to normal again.

Jesus enters on the discussion from another entrance

Jesus You seem to be in a deep discussion about something. What are you so concerned about?

Cleopas We’re talking about Jesus – haven’t you heard? He was a Prophet who did incredible miracles. But they crucified him.

Friend And now, besides all this – which happened three days ago – some women were at his tomb early this morning and came back with an amazing report that his body was missing, and that they had seen some angels there who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, Jesus’ body was gone, just as the women had said.

Jesus You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures!

Friend You mean it’s all part of God’s plan? Surely not!

Jesus Let me explain. What festival has just been celebrated in Jerusalem?

Cleopas The Passover. It’s been celebrated since the Hebrews left Egypt with Moses….but how is that important?

The 3 are near the front with backs turned to audience. They freeze as the narrator speaks.

Narrator And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, the stranger explained to them the things concerning Jesus in all the Scriptures.

As if for the first time, they understood. The words of the Old Testament suddenly came alive as the stranger quoted them passage after passage

Friend Jesus death has brought us life……what a price God paid!

Cleopas Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.

They enter the house and sit down. Jesus picks up a loaf of bread.

Jesus Our Father in heaven, for that which you have given, we give thanks.

Jesus breaks the bread and as he does so, Cleopas and his companion recognise Jesus.

Friend My Lord! (stands in awe)

Cleopas We must go back to Jerusalem and tell them what has happened.

Perspective

There are so many different characters you could write as for this part of the story. The two women who came to the tomb and found it empty, any of the disciples who the women told their story to, Peter especially who ran to see the empty tomb or Cleopas and his friend who met Jesus walking along the road. You could also think about Jesus himself who met with them.

Finally, the last part of the story is when Jesus appears to his friends. Some accounts of the Bible talk about one disciple, Thomas, not being there when this happened and how he didn’t believe. You could write as if you were Thomas hearing all this from your friends but not believing how it could happen. Here is part of that story;

John 20:24-29

Thomas was one of the 12 disciples. He was not with the other disciples when Jesus came. 25 So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “First I must see the nail marks in his hands. I must put my finger where the nails were. I must put my hand into his side. Only then will I believe.”

26 A week later, Jesus’ disciples were in the house again. Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came in and stood among them. He said, “May peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me but still have believed.”