This lesson was created to teach an inductive style lesson to older students. Reading the Scripture passage and interacting with what is written, the students will discover that when Jesus is in the temple at age 12 He showed that He was God’s Son who came to do God’s will.
More Teaching Ideas:
- Watch the teaching demonstration of this children’s sermon and related Bible crafts
- Compare our full Luke 2:41-52 Sunday School
- See all our Christmas lesson ideas and Sunday School Curriculum
Bible Passage: Luke 2:41-52
Bible Story Title: Boy Jesus in the Temple
Target Age Group: Ages 9-11 (3rd-5th Grade U.S.A.)
Target Time Frame: 60 Minutes
Original Teaching Context: Sunday School
Supply List: Bibles, copy of Jewish Feasts poster, activity sheets, pens/markers
Learning Goal: Students will learn that when Jesus was in the temple at age 12 He was showing He is God’s Son who came to do God’s will.
Learning Activity #1: Jewish Feasts Allow students to use the chart and discover how Jesus fulfills the Jewish Feasts.
Learning Activity #2: Activity Sheets
Coloring Page: Boy Jesus in the Temple
Test: Review Questions
Memory Verse: John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Bible Lesson: Boy Jesus in the Temple
In the Old Testament there are many prophecies that spoke about God’s promised Savior (Messiah). In the past few weeks we have seen God’s Words fulfilled exactly how He said it would happen when we studied the Birth of Christ. When Mary and Joseph obeyed God’s law by dedicating Jesus at the temple when He was only 8 days old, Simeon and Anna recognized that He was the Messiah that God had promised.
Today we are going to study another event in the Lord Jesus’ life when He was young. The Bible isn’t filled with stories of Jesus’ childhood. God has given us only a limited view of Jesus before He began His ministry as the Son of God. What God does reveal to us teaches us that Jesus IS God’s Son who came to do God’s will.
Turn to Luke 2:41. Let’s read Luke 2:41-42. When we read ‘His parents’, who are they? (Mary and Joseph) Where did they go? (Jerusalem) How often did they go? (Every year) When did they go? (During the Feast of Passover)
Mary and Joseph were obedient to God’s laws and raised His Son Jesus in a home honoring God’s laws. God’s law required that Jewish men travel to Jerusalem 3 times a year to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Booths. (Deuteronomy 6:16)
(If students looked at the Jewish Feast chart allow them to share what they discovered about the Passover feast.) The feast of Passover was a yearly reminder of how God rescued His people from Egyptian slavery. All who wanted to be safe from the death angel killed a lamb and put his blood on their door posts. When the angel saw the blood the people inside the house were safe from destruction.
- In this passage of Scripture Jesus is only 12 years old. One day He would be the Lamb who was slain to take away the sins of the world. (John 1:29)
Read Luke 2:43-47. When Mary and Joseph traveled home how long did it take for them to realize Jesus was not with them? (A day’s journey) How long did they look for him? (3 days) Where did they find Jesus? (In the temple) What was Jesus doing? (Sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking questions) How did those who heard Jesus react? (They were amazed at His answers)
Jesus is fully God and fully man. When He took on flesh (became like us) and lived among us, He grew and learned like we do. (Jesus grew, but did he learn? He didn’t start out from infancy with all knowledge — he had “emptied himself” of omniscience when he became a man (Philippians 2:7). http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/2_39-52.htm
Read Luke 2:48-52. How did Mary respond to Jesus when she and Joseph found Him in the temple? (She asked why have you treated us like this? We have been searching for You in great distress) How did Jesus answer Mary’s question? (Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?)
Mary and Joseph did not understand Jesus’ answer. He left with them and returned to Nazareth and was obedient to His earthly parents. He continued to increase in wisdom, years and in favor with God and man.
With only the birth of Christ, His dedication and His visit to the temple at 12 as the only recorded events of His childhood, God reveals that Jesus is His Son who came to do His Will.
Why is it important to know that Jesus is God’s Son who came to do His will?
Believing Jesus is God is the only way to be saved from our sins and have eternal salvation. (John 3:16, 36; 1 John 5:1-5) If Jesus was not God He would have been born just like every other human, with sin. He would not be able to be a perfect sacrifice and unable to cleanse us from all our sins.
Today may be the day that you fully understand that you are a sinner who is separated from God. The punishment for your sins against God is death (Romans 6:23) being separated from Him forever. God loves you so much that He sent His only Son Jesus into this world as a baby. He lived a life without sin and died on the cross for all sins. He was buried and God raised Him to life 3 days later. All who put their faith in Jesus are forgiven from all their sins and are given the gift of eternal life. If you have questions about how to become a believer in Christ please speak to us.
If you are a believer are you growing in your understanding of God and living a life that pleases Him? Jesus grew in wisdom and understanding by knowing and obeying God’s Word. That is exactly how you and I grow as His followers.
Close in prayer.
Application Questions:
(Application questions help students think about how the Bible relates to them. Discussing application questions in a safe setting also provides accountability and enables the teacher to pray for the students. Depending on size of your class you can divide the class up to work on one question and share their responses as a group.)
- How is your attitude like/unlike Jesus when you hear God’s Word taught?
- What are you doing to grow in wisdom of God’s Word?
- How can your growing understanding of God’s Word help you in your daily life?
- Who can you share the Good News with this week?
Thank you so much. I go to the Juvenile Facility where they are at the ages of 11 – 17 years Young, and I will be teaching about when Jesus was at the age of 12 it’s never about us it’s always about him.
Letting them know that greater is he that is in you then he that is in the world it is Christ in you he is our hope. So they can do all things through Christ. It’s him that’s giving them the ability to speak and teach whatever it is that he is speaking to them through his word.
Just receive the gift that was giving by our Father,he gave his Son on the cross for the world that means every body in it only if you believe. That includes you as well.
Thank you for your generous ministry. I use your resources to teach children in a “Safe House” for abused children in South Africa. May God bless you!
Regards,
Mike