How it works
The Bible tells how Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a small town in the north of Israel. Every year his family traveled to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when Jesus was twelve he went with them.
In those days families traveled together in big groups called caravans. After the feast the big group set off for home, and Mary thought Jesus was with his cousins while Joseph thought he was with her.
At the evening camp they could not find him, so they hurried back to Jerusalem. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, listening and asking questions.
Everyone who heard him was amazed. Then Jesus went home with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth and grew taller and wiser, year by year.
Worked examples
Count the days
- The story counts three days: one away from the city, one back and one of searching.
- 1 + 1 + 1 = 3
- So it was three days since Mary and Joseph had last seen him.
How the mix-up happened
- Mary thought Jesus was with his cousins.
- Joseph thought he was with her.
- They walked all day, and nobody noticed that Jesus was not there.
What was in the temple
- In those days teachers sat in the temple courtyards, where anyone could listen and ask questions.
- Jesus was not showing off. He was listening to the teachers and asking them questions.
- The teachers leaned in, for they had never heard a boy ask such good questions.
How families traveled
- There were no cars in those days. Families walked, and donkeys carried the bags.
- They traveled together in big groups called caravans, which was safer and friendlier.
- A boy of twelve could walk with his cousins and friends.
A taste of the worksheets
These are some of the questions on the sets. The printable sheets have more and an answer key.
- Where did Mary and Joseph find him at last? 🛒 In the market / 🏛️ In the temple, with the teachers / ⛺ At the camp
- Circle every thing the story says Jesus did in the temple. 👂 He listened to the teachers / ❓ He asked questions / 📢 He shouted over the teachers / 😴 He fell asleep / 🙈 He hid from the teachers
- Sam wrote: The family went to the feast by car. Which fix is right? 🚆 They went by train. / 🚶 They walked in big groups called caravans. / ⛵ They went by boat.
- The story says listening and asking questions is a good way to learn. When you wonder about something, what could you do? 👂 Ask a grown-up and listen / 🤐 Keep it secret / 🙊 Never ask
- In the story, who said, why did you do that to us? 🫏 the donkeys / 🧒 Jesus / 👩 Mary
Words to know
- Passover
- A feast that remembers how God set his people free.
- temple
- The great house of prayer in Jerusalem.
- caravan
- A big group of people traveling together.
Watch out for
- Jesus was twelve years old in this story, not younger.
- Mary and Joseph did not leave him on purpose. Each thought he was with someone else in the group.
- They found him in the temple, not in the market.
- Jesus went home with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth, and he obeyed them.
Try it
How old was Jesus in the story?
Twelve. He went with his family to Jerusalem for the feast.
What is a caravan?
A big group of people traveling together. In those days it was safer and friendlier to travel in a big group.
Where did they find him?
In the temple, with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking questions.
How many days did the story count? 1 + 1 + 1
3. One day away, one day back and one day of searching.
When you wonder about something, what can you do?
Ask a grown-up and listen. Listening and asking questions is one of the best ways to learn.
For grown-ups
With a grown-up, ask a big question you have been wondering about, and listen to what they say.
Ask your child what they are wondering about, and listen. The story also says how glad families are to be together, which is a nice way to end the day.