“Teach me your way, O Lord.”
Psalm 86:11
TEACHER PREPARATION
Who?
Mary, Joseph, Jesus, crowd, teachers and leaders at the Temple
What?
Mary and Joseph cared for Jesus as He grew up and when they journeyed to Jerusalem (Matthew 2:19-23; Luke 2:41-52)
When & Where?
Approximately 5 B.C. to A.D. 5, in Egypt, Nazareth and Jerusalem
Why?
To help children feel glad about God’s care and help as they grow up
Goals For Each Child
- Tell that Mary and Joseph cared for Jesus as He grew
- Identify ways God shows love to and helps him or her grow
- Thank God for His love and for helping him or her to grow
PLAY TO LEARN
Bible Story Activities
Art Center
Supplies
- Bible
- Paper plates
- Markers
- Scissors
- Yarn
- Tape
Prepare
Draw a simple happy face on one paper plate for each child.
Do
Give each child a paper plate. Children color the face. Cut yarn to measure the height of each child. Assist child in taping yarn to the wall to show his or her height, and then tape his or her face plate at the top of the yarn length. Talk about how Jesus grew.
Dramatic Play Center
Supplies
- Bible
- Various household and clothing items (washcloth, slippers, comb, toothpaste, etc.)
- Suitcase
Do
Children pack suitcase with items for a pretend long trip. Briefly tell how Jesus’ family had to pack for a trip.
Talk About
- In our Bible story, Jesus had grown to be 12 years old. Mary, Joseph and Jesus went on a trip to a place where they could pray.
- Mary and Joseph loved Jesus. They took good care of Him as He grew. They gave him clothes and good food.
- God gives you moms and dads to love you and help you grow, too. Elana, who helped you have breakfast today? God gave you a mom to help you because He loves you.
- The best way God showed His love to us was by sending His Son, Jesus, to show us how to make good choices. The Bible says, “Teach me your way, O Lord.”
Bible Verse Activities
Blocks Center
Supplies
- Bible
- Blocks
- Toy people
Do
Children use blocks to build a church and then play with toy people in and around the church. Talk about the ways children learn about God at church.
Game Center
Supplies
- Bible
Do
Lead children in playing a game like Simon Says, but do not eliminate children who do not follow directions. As you touch your shoulders, say, “Simon Says, touch your shoulders.” Continue with actions using other body parts. After several rounds, say, Good job listening to my instructions. God made you to grow strong and to listen to others!
Talk About
- Open your Bible to Psalm 86:11 and point to the Bible verse. The Bible says, “Teach me your way, O Lord.” “Lord” is another name for God. God wants us to learn about Him.
- We learn about God at church. Cole, who brought you to church today? God gave you parents to show His love to you and help you grow. And He makes good food grow for you.
- Hold Bible. What is this book? We learn about God when we read the Bible. I like to tell you stories from the Bible.
- Let’s thank God for loving us and helping us to grow. Lead children in a brief prayer.
LISTEN TO LEARN
Large-Group Time
Supplies
- Bible
- Skitter puppet
- Measuring tape
- Flannel board
- Optional—God’s Story for Me Bible Storybook
Come Together
Children sit in a circle, feet stretched toward the center. Say, I see three children who are wearing tennis shoes. Children try to identify the three children. Continue game, varying the number of children and the color and type of clothing item that is the same.
Bible Verse
Open your Bible to Psalm 86:11. The Bible says, “Teach me your way, O Lord.” Repeat Bible verse by clapping when saying each word. God teaches us how to love Him and others. God helps you grow, too.
Show Everyday Life Poster. Put your hand on your head if you know what’s happening in this picture. Samantha, how old are you? You will be four years old at your next birthday. You will be taller, too. God loves you and cares for you as you grow.
Prayer
Lead children in prayer. Dear God, thank You for loving us. Thank You for helping us to grow. We love You, too. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Song
The Bible teaches us that God loves us. Let’s sing a song about God’s love for us. Play “Jesus Loves Me” several times, inviting children to sing along with you.
Puppet Time
Supplies
Bible Story
Jesus At The Temple
Matthew 2:19-23; Luke 2:41-52
Introduction
Show measuring tape. Ask one or more volunteers to stand and be measured. As we get older, we grow taller. Listen to today’s Bible story to find out what Jesus did as He grew older. (Hold your Bible open to Luke 2 as you tell the following story.)
Jesus The Little Boy
Mary, Joseph and Jesus were living in Egypt. Jesus was growing bigger. One night, God told Joseph, “King Herod is dead. It is safe to take Mary and Jesus home now.” They packed their things and walked to their home town of Nazareth.
Joseph was a carpenter. Carpenters use wood, tools and nails to make chairs, tables and other things. As Jesus grew, He probably learned to use a hammer. He probably cut wood with a saw. Jesus helped Joseph make things out of wood.
Jesus The Big Boy
Every year many people traveled to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem. (The Temple was like a big church.) When Jesus was 12 years old, His family traveled to the Temple, as they did every year. Many families walked together to go to the Temple.
Mary, Joseph and Jesus saw the beautiful Temple. They were glad! Many people prayed and sang glad songs to God at the Temple. They listened to God’s Word. They ate special meals and talked to their friends.
Then the visit was over. Many people were walking home with Jesus’ family. Joseph and Mary thought Jesus was walking with their friends. But Jesus wasn’t! They didn’t know it yet, but Jesus was still in Jerusalem!
Jesus The Missing Boy
When everyone stopped for the night, Joseph and Mary looked for Jesus. They couldn’t find Him! Joseph and Mary began to worry. They asked everyone, “Where’s Jesus?” No one knew where Jesus was. Mary and Joseph hurried back to Jerusalem. They asked all the people they saw if they had seen Jesus! But nobody knew where He was!
Then Mary and Joseph went to look in the big Temple. There was Jesus! He was talking with the Temple teachers and leaders! He was not afraid and He knew God loved Him. Joseph and Mary were glad to find Jesus! They took Jesus back home. They took care of Him. Jesus grew and learned, just as God had planned.
Conclusion
Jesus grew just like you do. God loved Jesus as He grew. And God loves us as we grow, too. We can learn about God as we grow. The Bible says, “Teach me your way, O Lord.” (Optional: Review story by using pages 294-299 in God’s Story for Me Bible storybook.)
TALK TO LEARN
TalkTime Activity Page
Supplies
- Bible
- Markers or crayons
Do
Hand out TalkTime activity pages and demonstrate how to complete the page. Distribute sticker pages and crayons or markers. As children complete their own page, talk about the items on the page.
Bible Story Game
Do
Today in our Bible story, Mary and Joseph looked for Jesus. They found Jesus in the Temple. Show Figure 22. Let’s play a game to remember our story and find this picture of Jesus at the Temple. While a volunteer covers his or her eyes, hide Figure 22 in the classroom. Volunteer uncovers eyes and searches for the figure. Give clues to help child find the figure. Go to the window. Look under the table. Repeat several times with new volunteers.
Talk About
- Who grew up in our Bible story today? God loved Jesus and helped Him as He grew.
- When Mary and Joseph started traveling home from Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph couldn’t find Jesus. Where was Jesus? What was Jesus doing in the Temple?
- Jesus loved God, and God loved Jesus. God loves you, too. Read Psalm 86:11 aloud. God helps you as you learn about Him as you grow.
- Pray with children. Thank You, God, for loving us and helping us grow. In Jesus’ name, amen.
