Luke 2:41 to 2:52 Young Jesus loved being in his heavenly Father's house and grew in wisdom, stature, and favor. Hear the story of twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem. Learn that Jesus called the temple "my Father's house." Follow Jesus by growing in wisdom, kindness, and obedience to parents. Every year, Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve, he went along with a big group of relatives. The Big Festival in Jerusalem Every spring, Mary, Joseph, and young Jesus joined friends and relatives to walk to [Jerusalem](/bible/explorer/place/jerusalem) for the great Passover feast. They sang songs, ate together, and worshipped God at the magnificent temple. After the feast ended, the large group began the long walk back home. Where Is Jesus? After walking for a whole day, Mary and Joseph realized Jesus was not with their group of cousins and friends! They searched everywhere with anxious hearts. They rushed back to Jerusalem and looked through the busy streets for three long days. In My Father's House Finally, they found Jesus sitting in the temple courts among the teachers, listening to them and asking brilliant questions! Everyone was amazed at his deep understanding. When Mary said, "Son, why have you treated us so?", Jesus gently answered: "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" Then Jesus went back to Nazareth with them and was obedient to his parents, growing in wisdom and stature. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52 How old was Jesus when he went to the temple with his family in this story? Twelve years old Five years old Twenty years old Two years old Twelve years old Luke 2:42 tells us Jesus was twelve years old. Where did Mary and Joseph finally find Jesus after three days? In the temple, sitting among the teachers At the swimming pool In the boat market Sleeping under a desert tree In the temple, sitting among the teachers Luke 2:46 records that they found him in the temple, listening and asking questions. What did Jesus do when he returned home to Nazareth? He was obedient to his parents and grew in wisdom He refused to do any chores He ran away again He complained about dinner He was obedient to his parents and grew in wisdom Luke 2:51 tells us Jesus went down to Nazareth and was submissive to his parents. Show obedience to your parents with a joyful smile this week, just as young Jesus obeyed Mary and Joseph. Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of young Jesus. Help me to love your Word, love your church, and listen to my parents. Help me to grow in wisdom and kindness every single day. In Jesus' name, Amen. Why did Jesus love being in the temple talking about God's Word? How can you grow like Jesus in wisdom and kindness at home and school? Children learn that Jesus loved God's house from an early age and honored his earthly parents with joyful obedience. Ask students what they like to do when visiting church. Explain that Jesus loved being in church so much he spent three days learning and asking questions! Did Jesus sin by staying behind in Jerusalem? No! Jesus never sinned. In large travel caravans, children often walked together. Jesus stayed in his Father's house and was completely obedient to Mary and Joseph when they arrived. 5 min Hook & Prayer, 10 min Story, 8 min Memory Verse Tiles, 7 min Quiz