Lesson 54. Jesus in the Temple as a Boy
Bible Story
This Week's Scripture
Story Summary Below is an overview of the Bible story from this week
When Jesus was 12 years old, his parents took him to the temple to begin his Jewish education. Although this is a short story, there are several important keys:
- Jesus stayed behind when his family had left to go back home. This is actually a difficult little detail for kids to understand, because if they did something like this, it would be seen as disobedient to their parents. Be sure to teach this in a way that does not make it look like Jesus did this out of disobedience. From the narrative, it seems like there was a large group of people all traveling together. The traveling party must have gotten a little loose in their accounting for the children. Also, he was 12 by this time and would have been given a little more liberty than a small child. Verse 50 specifically calls out that he was obedient to his earthly parents.
- Jesus amazed the teachers with his understanding (indication of his divine nature). It was remarkable to all those in attendance how he was answering the teachers' questions. There seems to be an indication here that Jesus was aware of his divine nature at this point in his life. He tells them they should have known to find him in his “Father's” house.
- Had he talked to his family about his divine nature by this point?
- How did Joseph feel when Jesus says that the temple is his Father's house?
- Jesus grew and developed as a boy turning into a man (indication of his human nature). Luke calls out 4 specific ways Jesus grew:
- Wisdom (mentally)
- Stature (physically)
- Favor with God (fellowship with the Father)
- Favor with all the people (socially)
Videos
God's Story - Jesus Gets Lost (wordless)
From Crossroads Kids Club
Jesus in the Temple
From Saddleback Kids
Jesus Growing Up
From Saddleback Kids
Mary and Joseph Find Jesus in the Temple
From LifeKids
Jesus as a Kid
From Crossroads Kids Club
Resource Sheet
Jesus in the Temple as a Boy Coloring Sheet
This coloring sheet depicts Jesus interacting with the teachers in the temple
During the Week
Comprehension Questions you can ask your child these questions to see how much of the story they remember
- Where did this story take place?
- Jerusalem
- Why were Jesus' parents in Jerusalem
- They went to celebrate the Passover
- Does anyone remember what the Passover Feast celebrated?
- When God delivered the Israelites from Egypt
- How old was Jesus when this story took place?
- 12 years old
- How long was Jesus missing from his parents?
- 3 days
- Where was Jesus during that time?
- In the temple with the teachers, listening, asking questions, and giving them answers
- What 4 ways does the Bible say that Jesus grew in?
- Wisdom, stature, favor with God, favor with man
Faith Questions help them apply the story to their lives and open up a conversation about faith and the gospel
- The Bible tells us that Jesus grew in 4 ways. He did grow in stature (he got bigger), but he also grew in wisdom and favor with God and man.
- Are you growing in wisdom?
- How can we grow in wisdom like Jesus did?
Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6