God’s Hand in Our Lives
New Testament
Twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple - Preschool
1/9/06
Twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:40-52
The Story
Parents: Review this lesson with your child.
Every year Jesus’ mother and father
traveled from their town, Nazareth, to a city
called Jerusalem. They went to the Passover
Feast at the temple, which was their church.
When Jesus was 12-years-old, He went with His
parents to Jerusalem for the feast. They went
because God wanted them to go. Jesus was a
different child then us - Jesus never sinned.
After the feast was over, Jesus’ mother
and father started the journey back to
Nazareth with all the other people returning
there. Jesus, however, stayed behind in
Jerusalem by Himself. His mother and father did
not know Jesus had stayed in Jerusalem. They
thought He was safe with other friends and
family.
Mary and Joseph walked for a whole
day. When they could not find Jesus, they
went back to Jerusalem to look for their boy.
Mary and Joseph looked and looked for
their Son. After three days they found Jesus. He
was in the temple. The teachers were all
around Him. Jesus was listening to the
teachers. He was asking the teachers questions
too. Everyone who heard Him could hardly
believe how much Jesus knew about God’s
Word.
When Jesus’ mother and father saw
Him, they were very surprised. His mother said
to Him, “Son, why have you done this to us?
Look, your father and I have been very worried
while we looked for you.”
Jesus told His mother and father that He
did not know why they were looking for Him.
He was doing God, His Father’s work. He knew
He must be learning more of God’s Word. But
Jesus’ mother and father really did not
understand what Jesus said to them.
Then Jesus went back to Nazareth with
His parents and obeyed them always. Mary, His
mother, remembered all these things that
happened. Jesus kept growing wiser and
stronger. God and men admired Jesus very
much.
Jesus listened and learned God’s
Word.
God wants us to listen and to learn
His Word .
Pa