Explanation: This passage has a strong Gospel implication for children. Jesus was fully human and fully God. In his character we see the model and standard for righteousness in children. However, all children have sinned and not followed after Christ in these ways. Through the Gospel his perfect righteousness can become their own.
Children’s Church Lesson: Jesus at Age 12
Text: Luke 2:41-52
Learning Objectives: After this lesson . . .
Children will demonstrate knowledge of Jesus’ character as a young boy … by answering the question “What was Jesus like when he was twelve years old?”
Target Age: Kindergarten – 5th
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
Items Needed:
- Marked Bible for this passage. Prepare the copy in advance by highlighting the significant points to emphasize and underlining items that will need additional explanation.
One Page Teaching Plan
Hook: Ask the children, “What do you think Jesus was like when he was a child?” Allow several volunteers to answer. Say, “All of these are good guesses, but to know what Jesus was really like we must look in the Bible. And the Bible tells us! In our lesson today, we will find out what Jesus was like when he was a boy. Jesus is our best example of what God wants you to be like as a child.”
Book: Listen carefully while I read from the Bible. I am reading from Luke chapter two. Listen for what Jesus was like when he was a boy.
Read (and summarize) Luke 2:41-52. (Read with emotion and pause often to engage the children with the reading.) Be sure to emphasize the following ideas in your exposition.
- Jesus was a real boy. He was fully human and fully God. He grew up, had birthdays, and learned just like you.
- Jesus listened carefully to Bible teachers.
- Jesus always obeyed his parents.
- Jesus said, “I must be in my Father’s house.”
Ask the children to report on what they learned about Jesus from the story. Ask, “What was Jesus like when he was a child?” The answers should be closely related to the points of emphasize listed above.
Yes or No: Read the following list of sentences. Ask the children to stand up for each sentence that tells something this story actually teaches about Jesus as a child. If the sentence was not taught in the story stay seated. Say, “Some of these ideas may have been true, but we can’t be sure if it isn’t in the Bible.
| Jesus always made “As” in school. | Jesus played Soccer |
| Jesus liked to listen and ask questions from Bible teachers. | Jesus went to the Temple and worshiped God. |
| Jesus always obeyed his parents. | Jesus had two dogs he loved to play with. |
Missing Word: Read these sentences and leave out the underlined words. Ask for volunteers to fill in the missing word as you read the following sentences:
- Jesus said, “I must be in my Father’s house.”
- Jesus liked to listen and ask questions from Bible teachers.
- Jesus always obeyed his parents.
Look: Mini Lecture: There are two lessons for you in this story.
- Jesus is your example. He shows you what you should be like as a child. Remember that Jesus was a real human just like you. He was fully God and fully human. Even more if you call yourself a “Christian.”
- Jesus’ example shows us we need to be saved. You do not perfectly obey your parents. Its not because you’re a kid. It’s because of your sin. It’s because you don’t want to obey your parents. We need God to take away our sins and give us new heart. And that is what He promises to do if we will repent and trust in Jesus.
Took: Pray that God will help us to trust in Jesus to forgive our sins.
Need more help? Browse my free Children’s Church Curriculum or Sunday School Lessons. You can also find many Bible crafts online.