Community: Christianity
Return to stories about wisdom.
Background:
One of the proverbs in the Bible describes how precious wisdom is. It says: “Listen to what is wise and try to understand it. Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight. Look for it as hard as you would for silver or some hidden treasure. It is the LORD who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding.”
Christians believe that wisdom can be found in the Bible and that God speaks to us today when we read it. Many Christians will try to read the Bible every day and will often meet to help each other to understand what it means. This story is found in the New Testament and illustrates how much we can learn when we talk to one another.
Follow up questions:
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Can you describe how the disciples felt when they discovered it was Jesus talking to them and describing the scriptures?
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Do you find talking with others helps you to discover new insights?
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Can you think of any examples?
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How do you feel when you discover something new for the first time?
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How do you think wise people stay wise?
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Who is the wisest person you know?
The Road to Emmaus
This story is about two friends who search for new understanding through talking to Jesus. It is called “The Road to Emmaus”
One day two of Jesus' followers were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. As they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them; they saw him, but somehow did not recognize him. Jesus said to them, “What are you talking about to each other, as you walk along?”
They stood still, with sad faces. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have been happening there these last few days?” “What things?” he asked. “The things that happened to Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. As they walked on together Jesus explained why all these difficult things had happened.
As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther; but they held him back, saying, “Stay with us; the day is almost over, and it is getting dark.” So, he went in to stay with them. He sat down to eat with them, took the bread, and said the blessing; then he broke the bread and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Wasn't it like a fire burning in us when he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”
(Adapted from Luke 24 in the Good News bible)