Jesus’ childhood – Jesus visits the temple

In this lesson, we are going to learn about Jesus’ life when he was a boy. The Bible doesn’t speak much about his life between his birth and ministry, but we do have one passage found in Luke 2:41-52.

Some of the main  points we will consider are:

• Jesus became a person and grew just like we do.
• Jesus loved God’s Word and God’s house.
• We must be careful never to forget Jesus.

Jesus’ childhood – Lesson Guide

Begin this week’s lesson, by reflecting on some of the things we have already learned. Ask your child if they remember where Jesus was born? Bethlehem. Share how after living for a while in Egypt to hide from King Herod, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned to Nazareth. Emphasize how Jesus would have lived in normal life like us. He would have eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner. Share how Mary and Joseph also had other children. Jesus grew up in a normal family. Explain how Jesus would have attended a synagogue school to learn about the Old Testament.

Read Luke 2:40. Speak about how Jesus grew:: 1) He grew in wisdom. He learned things at school, the synagogue (church), and from others. 2) He grew physically. He ate well and stayed fit so that he could grow big and strong. 3) He grew spiritually. He learned the Bible, prayed and loved God. 4) He grew socially. He made friends and treated others the way He wanted to be treated.

Share how we should also grow in these areas. Give examples of ways in which we grow in these areas. Try to find some old photos or clothes of your child, to remind them of how they have grown physically. Give them some simple tasks to do, like eating by themselves as remind them how they couldn’t do that when they were a baby.

Share how, when Jesus was 12 years old, he went with his family to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Note: For preschoolers, twelve is BIG. They may not even think of them as a child. Try to think of someone you know that is 12 years old. If you’re at church, maybe you could ask a twelve-year-old to come into your class.

Speak about how the law required the people to celebrate the Passover and some other feasts. Reflect on the Passover and how God saved his people from Egypt. Think about some festivals which we celebrate and what they teach us about God. Christmas, Easter, Pentecost etc.

Share how on the way back from Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph noticed Jesus was missing. You could share a story about being lost or about a fictional character that got lost in a supermarket. Think about the emotions of the child and the parent. Speak about how it always important that WE stay close to our parents and hold their hands in busy places not to get lost.

Think about some times we forget about Jesus. Maybe we do something bad, and we know Jesus wouldn’t like it because we forget to pray and think about what honours him.

Speak about how Mary and Joseph looked everywhere for Jesus, and they found Him in the temple, teaching the teachers. Share that even though He was young, He loved the Bible and wanted to speak about it with others. Tell your child how you love it when they share what they have learned from the Bible with you.

Share how Jesus returned home with Mary and Joseph. Jesus knew how important it was to obey his parents.

Free Printable Bible Story

Games and Activities

PLAY SCHOOL

Have your children pretend to play school. You can set up a pretend classroom with a board to write on and activities to do. Allow your child to lead this activity. Not only will it be fun as you learn together, but they will also reinforce their learning through teaching. Speak about how Jesus both learned and taught.

LOST OBJECTS

For this game, you could either hide objects or use things that are already there. One person pretends to make an announcement. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we have lost ……., if found, please return it to ……” the other children should then look for that item in the room as quickly as possible and return it to the correct place or person.

PLANT SOME SEEDS

Find some easy to grow seeds. Cress grows well at any time of the year. Speak about how the seed grows, but we need to water it and give it light.

Reflect on how Jesus grew from a baby and how God wants us to grow in Him.

Worksheets

Bible Coloring pages – Jesus’ childhood

Memory Verse Glasses – Includes free template

What you need

• Template on white paper or card
• Colouring pencils
• Scissor
• Glue

What to do:

1. Colour in the Bible verse section. Leave squares blank.
2. Cut out the template and glue where indicated
3. Colour the squares to match child’s height. Each time use a different colour. Add the date.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

Download the lessons

Translations