What is The Walk to Emmaus?

Luke (24:13-35) relates the story of two of Christ’s disciples who were walking along the road from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. As they were walking they shared their hearts with one another about the death of Jesus. They came upon an unknown person who joined them on their journey. Along the way this stranger explained the scriptures as the walked on toward Emmaus. He told of how the scriptures ordained that Jesus should suffer as he did, and then enter into his glory with the Father. As they came to the end of their journey the disciples asked the stranger to eat with them. It was then that the stranger’s identity was revealed to them as he blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to the disciples. Their eyes were opened as the recognized the stranger as the risen Christ. They then rushed back to Jerusalem to tell others the good news. Read more about where the name Walk to Emmaus came from on The Upper Room’s website (opens in a new window).

The Walk to Emmaus is an ecumenical movement that is grounded theologically and institutionally by The Upper Room ministry unit of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. It was adapted from the Roman Catholic Cursillo movement for a Protestant audience. The Cursillo originated in Spain for the purpose of strengthening the church through the spiritual enrichment of the laity in the church.

The purpose of the Emmaus movement is to inspire, challenge and equip local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, and daily lives. Emmaus provides a way to lift up our grace filled lives to be lived and shared with others to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people, and through them their own families, congregations, and the world in which they live. It is a highly structured event, prayerfully designed, between laity and clergy to foster a renew of spirit in the participants and the church.

The Walk to Emmaus is an inspiring experience held over a three day retreat where Jesus love is revealed to you through other Christians. The next 72 hours you experience are full of discussions, singing, praying, worshiping and small group participation following each discussion. Discussions are in the form of 15 talks by both laity and clergy that are centered on the theme of God’s grace, and how God’s grace is alive in the Christian community and the world. You will discover how God’s grace is real in your life, how to live a life full of grace, and how to bring the blessing of God’s grace to others in your life. You will experience God’s grace through the prayers and acts of service from a vital support group made of members of the Big Country Emmaus community as well as others throughout the world.

This crash course in God’s grace last only three short days, but your are extended an invitation to continue to build on the lessons you have learned for the rest of your life. You will be encouraged to do two things.

• First, to expand your spiritual life through study and congregational participation in your church and the emmaus community.
• Second, to become more active disciples of Christ sharing the gift of God’s grace with the world through your church home.

The Emmaus experience offers several specific opportunities to nurture the development of discipleship. You are encouraged to join a group of four to six other participants, in what is known as a reunion group, that meet weekly to reflect on their spiritual growth and encourage one another. There are also monthly community gatherings where Emmaus participants meet for worship, fellowship and are invited to pray for and to serve other Emmaus participants in future walks. Lastly, through the monthly newsletter and this website where you are informed of specific needs and events to support the events and activities of the local Emmaus Community.