Heart Burn (Easter 3A Gospel)

Download a printable PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Easter 3 Gospel.

Text: Luke 24:13-15 for the Third Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Series A

Objectives

Participants will:

1. Discover the symbolism and the affect of God’s presence.
2. Evaluate the state of their own hearts.

Materials Needed

Bible

Cling Wrap (red and/or yellow) or construction paper

Flashlight (optional)

Group Guidelines

This Bible study can be used with small groups of 4-6 people. Determine the leader by who traveled the farthest to get there today. The leader makes sure that each person in the group has the opportunity to share or to pass.

Building Community

1. Share with the group your name and describe a way that you have used fire.
2. Hand out the colored cling wrap and ask the group to make their own fire. Flashlights can be used to make them glow.

Looking at God’s Word

1. Read Luke 24:13-35. What were the two people feeling when Jesus was explaining the Scriptures to them? What was their response when they realized it was Jesus and why did they do that? What do you think they talked about on the way back?
2. Fire in the Bible is a powerful symbol of God’s presence and action. Give each person in the group one of the following Scriptures to read and to explain to the rest of the group: Exodus 24:15-18, 1 Kings 18:36-38, Malachi 3:1-3, Luke 3:15-16, Acts 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12-15.
3. What are some possible reasons why God would use fire to symbolize His presence ?What benefits do we receive from fire? What spiritual benefits do we receive from God?

Reinforcing What Has Been Learned

1. Like the two on the way to Emmaus who felt their hearts burning, share a time that you felt your heart burned with a spiritual fire.
2. What are things we can do to encourage our hearts on fire?
3. Play the song by Lost and Found, “Hearts on Fire.” (optional)

Closing

Stand in a circle around the fire and hold hands. Take turns going around the circle asking: “Lord, please set my heart on fire for you.” The leader may then pray this prayer, “Dear Father God and Most Consuming Fire, we ask that You would lead us toward a deeper understanding of You. Help us to feel our hearts burn when we read Your Word. And encourage us to share our burning hearts of faith with others. In Your Holy Name, Amen.

by Barbara Trombly

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies 11, 1998.

Updated for youthESource in April 2014