The lesson...

1. Warm Up get your kids talking and engaged

Have you ever been lost in a store or somewhere without your parents? Were you scared?

Today, we are going to learn about a time when Jesus was 12 years old and was missing from his parents too.

2. Teach the Story teach a holistic story

Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.

For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or read directly from the Bible.

3. Bible Mastery give them basic Bible skills

Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: Luke 2:41-52

4. Comprehension Questions make sure they understand the story

First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?

• 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)

5. Faith Questions open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer

• 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?

6. Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart

Directions

1. Use funnel to fill water bottles with rice about ¾ full

2. Have children pick out a few small items to place into the bottle (beads, buttons, etc.)

3. Have each child place 1 picture of jesus into their bottle. Close the bottle top and secure with duct tape.

Directions

1. Use icing and marshmallows to build a temple (like the one pictured.)

2. Use smaller candies to decorate the outside.

Directions

1. Seven students stand in front of the class. The rest of the students put their heads on their desks. The seven then move about and each touches a student. Once touched, a student sticks his or her thumb up. Then the seven say “heads up seven up!” The students who were touched then get a chance to guess which of the seven touched each of them. If they guessed right, they get to change places and be one of the students in the front.

Here’s another version

2. This one too is played inside a classroom. All the students put their heads down on their desks and extend one thumb. The teacher then secretly chooses one person as “It.” This person goes around touching the thumbs of six other people. If a person is touched, he or she goes to the front of the room. When this has been accomplished, “It” yells, “Seven up!” Everyone raises their heads and tries to guess which of the seven people is “It.”

Directions

1. Make a quick picture of Jesus and cut it out.
2. Pick one child to hide Jesus somewhere in the room while the other children cover their eyes.
3. Once Jesus is hidden, let the other kids search the room to find Him.
4. Repeat giving each child a chance to hide Jesus.