The big ideaThe Bible tells how Jesus, at twelve, was found in the temple listening, asking and learning.
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.
The story in order.
🎉Passover: a feast🏛️temple: the house of prayer👪caravan: a big group traveling
Words from the story.
Example 1: 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.
Example 2: 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.
Example 3: 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.
Example 4: 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.
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
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?
What is a caravan?
Where did they find him?
How many days did the story count? 1 + 1 + 1
When you wonder about something, what can you do?
Answers: 1. Twelve · 2. A big group of people traveling together · 3. In the temple, with the teachers · 4. 3 · 5. Ask a grown-up and listen
Try at homeWith a grown-up, ask a big question you have been wondering about, and listen to what they say.
For grown-upsAsk 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.
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