Jesus the King · Lesson 3
Boy Jesus at the Temple
Luke 2:41-52 New Testament PrincipleWisdom
When Jesus was twelve, He stayed at the temple in Jerusalem listening and asking questions about God's Word, and He kept growing in wisdom.
God gives wisdom to those who ask Him, and we grow in wisdom by learning and loving His Word.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Luke 2:52 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
The eternal Son grew up as a real boy in a real family, learning God's Word and obeying His parents, so He could be the perfect Savior who lived the life we couldn't.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Growing
- Theo’s Workshop (build challenge): Make a scroll
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Ask a question
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
I can learn about God.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Hide and seek, Color boy Jesus
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
When Jesus was twelve, He listened and asked questions about God's Word, and He kept growing in wisdom.
Start here
Ask, "Have you ever been lost, or lost someone in a store?" Let a few kids share. Say, "Today Mary and Joseph lose track of Jesus! Let's find out where He was."
Bible story 6 min
Each year, Jesus and His family went to the big city of Jerusalem for a feast. When Jesus was twelve, they went again.
When the feast was over, they started home with lots of family and friends. Mary and Joseph thought Jesus was in the group. But He was not! He had stayed in the city.
Mary and Joseph went back to look for Him. They looked for three days! At last they found Jesus at God's house. He sat with the teachers. He listened, and He asked them good questions. They were all amazed at Him!
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Four ways to grow 8 min
- Teach four motions for Luke 2:52. Wisdom (tap head), stature (stretch tall), favor with God (point up), favor with people (hug a friend).
- Call them out in random order, faster and faster.
- Say, "Jesus grew in all four ways!"
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3rd – 4th grade
At twelve, Jesus amazed the teachers with His understanding of God's Word and called God "My Father," then went home and kept growing in wisdom.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Four ways to grow, Growth chart
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
At twelve, Jesus revealed that God is His Father while living as a real, growing, obedient boy, showing that He is fully God and fully human, the perfect Savior and source of wisdom.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Fully God, fully human, Growing in four ways
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, at home, online and on screens
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Wisdom
The same principle in other Bible stories.
