More about the topic
When Jesus was 12 years old, He traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover. The Passover was the most important holiday for the Jews and everyone wanted to travel to Jerusalem with their families to celebrate and eat the Passover meal. While they were in Jerusalem, Jesus spent a lot of time in the temple.
Although Jesus was only 12 years old, He knew He was the Son of God. He loved being in the temple, His Father’s house. There, He could read the scriptures. He could also read about Himself, because the prophets had foreseen long ago that a Savior would come to earth. Although Jesus knew who He was, it was important for Him to read in God’s word because He knew this would help Him through many different situations.
After the celebration, the family returned home, but suddenly Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was not with them. Where could He have gotten to? They searched for Jesus for three days before they remembered that He liked being in the temple. When Joseph found Him there, He said, “Why were you looking for Me? Didn’t you know I must be in My Father’s house?”
Jesus knew that God’s word is living and powerful, therefore it was essential for Him to fill Himself with it, and to keep as close to God as possible. We have the same opportunity in our time. God’s word can help us get through difficult situations and it can also create something completely new in us when we believe it and obey it. Then there will be joy and peace, and everything good will grow in us. That way we can be happy no matter how things are around us.
More about the animated film
In the film, we join Jesus as He travels to Jerusalem with His family to celebrate the Passover holiday. While in Jerusalem, Jesus spends a lot of time in the temple – His Father’s house. When the family packs up to return home after the holidays, His parents think that Jesus must have gone on ahead with His friends. But eventually they discover that Jesus has disappeared. Mary and Joseph look for Jesus for three days; where can He have gotten to? But then they think about the temple. Watch the full story in this animated film.
More about the studio broadcast
There will be a completely new studio broadcast about this topic, with animation, new songs and an exciting story about something Jesus experienced when He was a little older and spent 40 days alone in the wilderness without food or water. The devil wanted to exploit this situation and therefore tried to tempt Jesus. Watch the story in the studio broadcast.
Tips for Sunday school
Teach the children the Sunday school opening song! It’s fun to sing along. Learn the lyrics here:
All over the world
We are scattered and spread
In lands north and south, east and west
Although we may live far from those we hold dear
United in faith we draw near.
Let’s gather together, come join us and sing,
For soon the transmission’s beginning!
Mother, father, children –
Now come! We’ll all be learning
Of Jesus’ life and teaching,
And men of faith before Him:
Join us!
And open your heart today!
Join us!
His Word we’ll obey!
Join us!
For we, too, can choose to stay With those who to the end
Follow our dear Jesus, our Friend.
Creative project – plants!
Let the children experience the growing power of the seed! A nice thing to do at the local Sunday school – or with the kids at home – is to let the children sow sunflower seeds and see for themselves how fast they can grow into a plant.
You will need:
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Sunflower seeds; can be purchased in most grocery stores -
Some good soil to plant them in
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A disposable cup
Fill the cup with soil, make a small hole for the seeds, push 3 seeds into the soil so you can be sure that at least one of them will sprout. Put the cup in a place with plenty of light and remember to water the seeds! Once they have started to sprout properly, they can be planted out into a flower bed or plant pot.
Questions for discussion
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How is the word of God able to enter into our hearts?
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How does the word begin to grow inside us?
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What did Jesus do in the temple, when he was 12 years old?
Bible verses fitting the topic
Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?
Luke 2:49
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.
Matthew 13:31-32
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4
