SCRIPTURE PASSAGES

Luke 2:39-52

OVERVIEW

Have you ever been in a hurry? Have you ever been in such a hurry that you left the water running in the bathroom sink or left the stove on while you went into the living room and started watching a movie or worked on homework? Everyone is in a hurry at some point in their lives! Our lesson today focuses on an incident in Jesus’ life in which He was left in Jerusalem while His parents traveled home. However, before you get too tough on them, ask yourself about the last time you were so busy you forgot to have worship before you rushed out the door in the morning. Okay? So, nobody is perfect.

OPENING ACTIVITY: COIN TRIVIA

Supplies: Coins

Have each person in your group grab a coin. It doesn’t matter what year it was minted. It could be old or new. After each person has their coin, have them use their mobile device to look up the year their coin is from, and describe to the group a couple pieces of trivia that happened during that year.

QUESTIONS

• Does anyone in the group collect coins? What is the oldest and rarest coin in your collection?
• What was the oldest coin the group had?
• Which is older, the oldest coin or the oldest of your parents?
• Was it difficult to find meaningful facts about the year on the coin?
• What would you do if you found a rare coin?

TRANSITION

How difficult is it to keep track of your phone? Most people have an app that they can use to find their phone if they lose it, but what if you didn’t have an app for that? Do you sometimes lose your phone for days only to find it in the couch or in some random place in your bedroom? The boy Jesus isn’t a phone or a set of car keys. How could Mary and Joseph have lost Jesus? Let’s explore the text and see if there is a logical answer.

BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

Read Luke 2:39-40.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

QUESTIONS

• What kind of parents were Mary and Joseph?
• What was Jesus like as a boy?

Read Luke 2:41-45.

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.

QUESTION

• How many people do you think went to Passover at Jerusalem every year when young Jesus went for the first time?
   

“Many were present from all countries where the Jews were scattered. From every part of Palestine the worshipers came in great numbers. The journey from Galilee occupied several days, and the travelers united in large companies for companionship and protection” (Desire of Ages, p. 76).

There could have been over one hundred thousand people in Jerusalem.

Have you ever been to the International Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin? The largest event of this type happened in 2019 with over fifty thousand in attendance. Double that and it would give you a good idea of how many people were added to the population of Jerusalem.

QUESTIONS

• How can you imagine it was possible for Mary and Joseph to lose track of Jesus?
• In what ways might parenting styles have been different in Jesus’ day?
• How do you think Jesus’ age played a role in His parents leaving Him behind?

Read Luke 2:46-50.

46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

QUESTIONS

• How many days did it take to find Jesus?
• Imagine being Mary and Joseph. What would you have been feeling like when you finally found Jesus?
• What was Jesus’ attitude toward His parents? Does that seem appropriate or inappropriate to you?
• What did Jesus mean, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
• How do you see Jesus as respecting His parents’ authority?

APPLICATION

Today’s lesson is a little difficult to understand in today’s setting. If a twelve-year-old disappeared for three days today, it would make national news and law enforcement would be out scouring the countryside looking for them. In Jesus’ day, it was a little different because a twelve-year-old male was on the verge of manhood and was given more freedom and responsibility than today. How many times have you forgotten Jesus because you were busy or wrapped up in your life? Today’s scripture should be a reminder to make sure that Jesus stays at the top your priority list, but that even those with the best intentions sometimes make mistakes and lose sight of Jesus for a moment or more.

FOLLOW UP

How is your devotional life in 2021? Several lessons ago, you were challenged to attempt to have a healthy, daily walk with Jesus. Have you been successful in setting aside the time? If you have been able to make improvements—great job! If you are struggling, no problem, you can start again. When Mary and Joseph realized they lost track of Jesus, they started looking for Him. You can too!

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

Luke 2:39-52

LEADER’S NOTE

For a Relational Bible Study (RBS) you’ll want to get into the Scripture passage and encourage the youth to imagine participating in the story while it’s happening. Then you will be able to better apply it to your own situation today.

You will need to ask God for the Holy Spirit to be present as your small group discusses the questions (no more than 3-6 people in a group is recommended). Start with the opening question. It is a personal question and the answer is unique for each individual. There is no right answer and nobody is an expert here, so don’t be surprised when you hear different responses. You are depending on the Holy Spirit to be present and to speak through your group. Say what God prompts you to say, and listen to what others share.


Take turns reading the chapter out loud. Follow that with giving the students some time to individually mark their responses to the questions (a PDF version of the handout is available as a download). This gives each person a starting point for responding when you start to share as a group. Next, begin the discussion by asking the students to share what they marked and why on each question as you work your way through. Feel free to take more time on some questions than others as discussion warrants.

Encourage each person in the group to apply what is discussed to their personal lives and to share with the group what they believe God wants them to do. Then ask them to pray that God will help each of them to follow through in doing so. Remind them to expect that God will show them ways to live out the message of this passage in the coming week, and that they are free to ask others in the group to help hold them accountable.

DOWNLOAD THE HANDOUT

OVERVIEW

Most of the four Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus focus on his three and a half years of ministry. Matthew and Luke have two chapters that record His birth, and only Luke reveals Jesus’ first trip to the temple in Jerusalem at the age of 12 (when He got lost/left behind).

When young people are told, “Be like Jesus,” it can be difficult to relate since they aren’t 30 years old (yet). The verse that says, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52 KJV) might be comprehensive, but it lacks details.

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas (not to be confused with the Gospel of Thomas) includes some creative accounts of Jesus’ childhood before the age of 12. Few consider it to be accurate or inspired. In contrast, Ellen White’s Desire of Ages is considered by many readers to be inspired. Chapters seven through nine contain a treasure trove about the childhood and adolescence of Jesus. We highly recommend that Youth Sabbath School teachers read it prior to this Bible study. If you don’t have a copy of the book, you can access it online:

Or listen to the audio chapters:

Humble Hero (Desire of Ages)
Chapter 7
The Child Jesus

https://ellenwhiteaudio.org/humble-hero/

Humble Hero (Desire of Ages)
Chapter 8
The Passover Visit

Humble Hero (Desire of Ages)
Chapter 9 
Christ's Problems as a Child

Challenge the youth in your Sabbath School class to look to the Biblical account of Christ’s childhood and adolescence (and even His young adulthood), asking the Holy Spirit to bring understanding about how they can apply this to their lives right now so they can live like Jesus did during His teen years.

Grow Up

Describe a time when you got separated from your parents when you were a child. Who lost whom? Who was more concerned about it?


Read Luke 2:39-52.

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. 

1.  What does it mean, “the grace of God was on Jesus” as a child (Luke 2:40)?

1. Jesus got special favors from God.
2. Jesus received the same favors God offers to us.
3. It’s just a religious thing to say, like “Bless you.”
4. Supernatural stuff was happening.
5. Spiritual battles were the norm as Jesus grew up.
6. Jesus stood out as someone different from the other kids.
7. Jesus was very religious.
8. God’s power showed through Jesus as He grew up.
9. Other.

2.  How can teens today be like Jesus was during His teen years?

1. Be gentle and don’t cause any problems.
2. Do religious things like reading the Bible and praying.
3. We have no idea what Jesus was like during His teen years.
4. By inviting Jesus into your life, He will live through you at any age.
5. Be a Pathfinder; better yet, a Master Guide.
6. Spend time in nature.
7. Communicate with God by talking and listening.
8. Other.

3.  Why was 12-year-old Jesus in the temple for three days without His parents?

1. He got lost.
2. They got lost.
3. He lost track of time.
4. God wanted Him to be there.
5. He felt right at home in His Father’s house.
6. He didn’t know His way back to Nazareth.
7. The religious teachers convinced Him to stay.
8. It was His way of running away from home.
9. Other.

4.  How did Jesus’ parents lose Him?

1. They weren’t paying close enough attention.
2. Something like this had never happened to them previously.
3. They traveled as a group and expected the kids to keep up.
4. Their focus was on other things.
5. They weren’t helicopter parents.
6. Their recent Passover experiences occupied their minds.
7. It’s easy to lose Jesus.
8. Other.

5.  Jesus was God, but also human. What did “being human” include?

1. Physical changes in His body as He grew up.
2. He had a lot to learn.
3. Self-discipline wasn’t automatic.
4. Emotions, including new emotions during His teen years.
5. Sexual urges once He reached puberty.
6. He had to figure out how to communicate with God.
7. Developing His own identity that was separate from His parents.
8. Other.

6.  How are you doing in terms of increasing in:

1. Knowledge.
2. Wisdom.
3. Physical growth.
4. Emotional maturity.
5. Social skills.
6. Spiritual growth.
7. Family respect.
8. Love for others.
9. Other.

7.  What advantages did Jesus have as a kid compared to you? What disadvantages did He have compared to you?

8.  What growth happens in you naturally? What do you have to be intentional to develop? What comes with great difficulty?

SUMMARY

Yes, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. While the Bible contains a limited number of stories about the life of Jesus prior to His public ministry that began at the age of 30, we still have the Holy Spirit to connect us to God today. There’s no need to wait until the age of 30 to begin to live like Jesus did. You’ve been growing up each year. Our Bible passage for today challenges young people to grow up in all areas of our lives, just as Jesus did.

APPLICATION

Here are a few application ideas for you to move from Sabbath School into action this coming week. Feel free to adapt this as the Holy Spirit moves you, but, by all means, apply this Scripture study to your life in the coming week and month.

1. GOD’S GRACE ON ME

According to Luke 2:40, “The grace of God was on him (Jesus).” The same grace of God is available to us now. There’s a good chance you have already received God’s grace. Paul included it in his farewell in 2 Corinthians 13:14 (available with music at www.youtube.com/watch?v=INPoOfjFJ5s). Take time to meditate on “God’s grace on you” in three time periods in your life: past, present, and future.

• Are you aware of “God’s grace on you” in the past? “God’s grace” includes His gifts and power to you and for you.
• You could reflect on what God has done in your life in the past.
• Then transition to the present.
• Include statements of gratitude to God and verbalizing awe of Him.
• Do the same for your present life.
• Recall what others have said to you as well as your own observations and reflections.
• Then move to the future and God’s promises of His grace in your future.
• Pray for this. Claim it. Beg for it.
• Thank God in advance for it.

2. IMAGINE

Our Relational Bible Study included the first time Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem at the age of 12. This was more than a vacation. It was a rite of passage to become an adult by participating in the Jewish religious festivals. Luke 2 records this first-time experience.

• Use your imagination about what might have happened when Jesus returned for the Passover when He was the age you are right now.
• How is this similar and how is it different from His first experience there?
• In what ways might Jesus have changed compared to when he was 12?
• In what ways have you changed?
• How do you currently relate to religious gatherings and rituals now?

3. PHOTO REVIEW

• Look at pictures of yourself from the past, such as last year, five years ago, even as far back as when you were a baby or toddler. (Check with your parents if those aren’t readily available for you, or go on their Facebook page from yesteryear).
• In what ways have you changed?
• Which changes are obvious and which ones aren’t?
• Pray about your development, including specific areas such as your changes in “wisdom and stature, and favor with God and man.”