Young Jesus at the Temple
A Bible story for kids ages 3–8. Read it together, do the actions and talk at the end.
Every year, Jesus' family traveled to Jerusalem for a very special feast: the Passover.
👉 March in place, like on a trip!
When Jesus turned twelve, the family went to the feast again, along with lots of relatives and friends.
👉 Count to twelve on your fingers!
The feast ended and everyone went home. But the boy Jesus stayed in Jerusalem, and no one noticed!
Mary and Joseph walked a whole day. Then they looked for Jesus among the relatives: where's Jesus? Nobody knew!
👉 Put your hand over your eyes and look: where? where?
They went back to Jerusalem and looked, and looked, and looked… for three days!
👉 Show three fingers!
At last they found Jesus in the temple, God's house. He was sitting with the teachers, listening and asking questions.
Everyone was amazed: how well that boy understood the things of God!
👉 Make an amazed face: wow!
Jesus said, “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” He was talking about God, His Father.
Then Jesus went back to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph and obeyed them.
👉 Nod your head yes, like someone who obeys with joy!
And Jesus kept growing: wiser, taller, loved by God and by people.
👉 Start all crouched down and grow until you're on tiptoe!
Verse: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God” (Luke 2:52)
To talk about with your child
- What question would you like to ask about God?
- Where do you like to learn about God?
Mission of the week: Ask someone in your family a question about God and listen carefully.