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Here’s the story as it’s written in the bible:

 

Jesus As a Boy

 

'Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.  When Jesus was 12 years old, they went to the feast as they always did. When the feast days were over, they went home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.  Joseph and Mary travelled for a whole day. They thought that Jesus was with them in the group. Then they began to look for him among their family and friends,  but they did not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there.  After three days they found him. Jesus was sitting in the Temple with the religious teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and wise answers.  When Jesus’ parents saw him, they were amazed. His mother said to him, “Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you. We have been looking for you.”

 

Jesus asked, “Why did you have to look for me? You should have known that I must be where my Father’s work is!”  But they did not understand the meaning of what he said.

 

 Jesus went with them to Nazareth and obeyed them. His mother was still thinking about all that had happened. 52 Jesus continued to learn more and more and to grow physically. People liked him, and he pleased God.

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New International Version (NIV), Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Thinking Time

 

Can you remember a time when you went on a journey with your family to a celebration or party? Do you have any photos you can share with your family to help everyone remember the experience? Or maybe you have a souvenir that you brought home?

 

In our story Jesus went on a journey with his family to the city of Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Lots of people went from Jesus’ hometown, Nazareth, and they all had a great time. But when it came to going home, Mary and Joseph realised that Jesus was missing!

 

How do you think they felt?

 

They searched for Jesus all over the city and when they eventually found him, he was in the Temple talking to the religious leaders about God! Jesus was asking them all sorts of questions. In fact he was even teaching them! 

 

How do you think the leaders who were supposed to know so much about God felt being taught new things by a 12 year old boy?

 

What questions do you think you would have asked?

 

If you could ask one of our church leaders  – one question, what would it be?

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As a parent, how would you have felt when you found your son/daughter?

 

The Bible tells us that Jesus’ parents were amazed by him. But why were they so surprised to see him so keen to talk about God? Now, of course Jesus is the Son of God and has a special relationship with God his Father but we are encouraged to have a close relationship with Him too.

 

 Are we parents surprised when our children want to know more about God and spend more time with Him? Are we ready to make time to do so or do we pass over our children’s questions and everyone’s need for prayer because we are too embarrassed or too busy? 

 

Maybe this story is a reminder to us all, parents and children, that we need time to think about God, pray and allow each other time to ask the difficult questions that maybe we don’t know the answers to. Often admitting we don’t know the answer or admitting that we struggle to understand these things helps us all to grow in faith together as a family and as a church community.

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Let’s sing two of the songs we love to sing at Messy Church. Do you remember the actions?