Sharing the Good News on Life’s Road
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
Session Truth: The most available form of evangelism for every Christian takes place in the daily and natural activities of life.
Session Goals:
*To appreciate the urgency of sharing the Good News.
*To become more attuned to the many and varied opportunities we
have to give witness to God’s work in our lives.
*To recognize that non-Christians are desperately searching for
the good news we have discovered in our own lives, even though
they may not be able to articulate that need.
*To allow God to shine through us, living our lives as though the
eternal destiny of others weighs in the balance.
*To appreciate the urgency of sharing the Good News.
*To become more attuned to the many and varied opportunities we
have to give witness to God’s work in our lives.
*To recognize that non-Christians are desperately searching for
the good news we have discovered in our own lives, even though
they may not be able to articulate that need.
*To allow God to shine through us, living our lives as though the
eternal destiny of others weighs in the balance.
The Gospel of Luke gives the account of Cleopas and a friend who left Jerusalem on the first Easter, downcast because of the Crucifixion. They we traveling to the village of Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
THE WALK (LUKE 24:13-24)
The likely reason these two men were on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus was the fact they had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover and because they were believers, it is likely that they got caught up in the events surrounding the Crucifixion.
*When Jesus joined the travelers on the road, they did not recognize Him (vv. 15-16). How were they ‘kept from recognizing him’ (v. 16)? Jesus must have appeared as a normal human being, rather than a ghost or spirit, because the disciples were not alarmed by His appearance. However, He must have been different outwardly because they could not recognize Him.
*What does Luke’s description of the travelers in verse 17 tell us about their mental and emotional state? Their downcast eyes were a result of the still fresh pain of seeing Jesus crucified.
*What was the testimony of Cleopas about Jesus in verse 19? He was a prophet, powerful on word and deed before God and all the people.
The likely reason these two men were on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus was the fact they had gone to Jerusalem for the Passover and because they were believers, it is likely that they got caught up in the events surrounding the Crucifixion.
*When Jesus joined the travelers on the road, they did not recognize Him (vv. 15-16). How were they ‘kept from recognizing him’ (v. 16)? Jesus must have appeared as a normal human being, rather than a ghost or spirit, because the disciples were not alarmed by His appearance. However, He must have been different outwardly because they could not recognize Him.
*What does Luke’s description of the travelers in verse 17 tell us about their mental and emotional state? Their downcast eyes were a result of the still fresh pain of seeing Jesus crucified.
*What was the testimony of Cleopas about Jesus in verse 19? He was a prophet, powerful on word and deed before God and all the people.
*Whom did Cleopas blame for the death of Jesus? (v. 20) The chief priest and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.
*Before they had left Jerusalem, Cleopas and his friend had heard reports about the Resurrection. Why did they fail to believe the reports? They discounted the report of the witnesses, saying, “Him they did not see” v. 24.
*If the witnesses had reported they had seen Jesus, do you think Cleopas and his friend would have believed them? Probably not. They didn’t believe their report about seeing the angels.
*Before they had left Jerusalem, Cleopas and his friend had heard reports about the Resurrection. Why did they fail to believe the reports? They discounted the report of the witnesses, saying, “Him they did not see” v. 24.
*If the witnesses had reported they had seen Jesus, do you think Cleopas and his friend would have believed them? Probably not. They didn’t believe their report about seeing the angels.
THE TALK (Luke 24:25-29)
Jesus employed three different kinds of conversation as He talked to Cleopas and his friend. (1) Jesus rebuked them in v. 25. (2) He redirected their thought in v. 26. (3) He explained to them in v. 27.
*What was Jesus’ way of opening their eyes to the truth (v. 27)? He explained the Scriptures.
Jesus employed three different kinds of conversation as He talked to Cleopas and his friend. (1) Jesus rebuked them in v. 25. (2) He redirected their thought in v. 26. (3) He explained to them in v. 27.
*What was Jesus’ way of opening their eyes to the truth (v. 27)? He explained the Scriptures.
THE TABLE (LUKE 24:30-35)
Cleopas and his friend realized the identity of their fellow Traveler in the breaking of bread together (vv. 30-31).
There is no greater miracle, no clearer description of what Christian conversion is all about than what we find here: “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus]” (v. 31).
*What did they mean by saying, “Were not our hearts burning within us” (v. 32)? In hindsight, they could see that when Christ opened their minds to the Scriptures while they were on the road, their hearts were divinely touched.
*After recognizing Jesus, what was their immediate reaction (vv. 33-35)? They went immediately to share the good news with the other disciples.
*”In the morning, two disciples were shuffling down the road to nowhere. By nightfall, they were racing up the road to glory. What happened?” On the way they were joined by the crucified Christ, who made them very much alive.
Cleopas and his friend realized the identity of their fellow Traveler in the breaking of bread together (vv. 30-31).
There is no greater miracle, no clearer description of what Christian conversion is all about than what we find here: “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus]” (v. 31).
*What did they mean by saying, “Were not our hearts burning within us” (v. 32)? In hindsight, they could see that when Christ opened their minds to the Scriptures while they were on the road, their hearts were divinely touched.
*After recognizing Jesus, what was their immediate reaction (vv. 33-35)? They went immediately to share the good news with the other disciples.
*”In the morning, two disciples were shuffling down the road to nowhere. By nightfall, they were racing up the road to glory. What happened?” On the way they were joined by the crucified Christ, who made them very much alive.
The absolute core of the Christian faith-what Paul called that “of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3)-is simply this: It is true! The Lord has risen. This reassurance of the reality of the Resurrection completes the story. Luke’s Gospel, therefore, provides a pattern for all to follow if they have trouble recognizing Jesus: Listen to the preaching of the Scriptures and participate in the meal that Jesus has given us. By doing so, the Scriptures will be opened to us and we will come to recognize our Lord.
God provides opportunities to share good news all the time. Oftentimes, these opportunities come when we are outside the walls of the church, when we are traveling life’s road. It may be when we have lunch with a friend or when we go fishing with a neighbor. Our chance may come during a break at work or while standing in line at the grocery store. So be ready. God may show up unexpectedly. He still loves people enough to come alongside them as they travel life’s road and offer them hope. The only difference is, now He does it through His passionate people.
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