During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
The Word became a human being. He made his home with us. We have seen his glory. It is the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father. And the Word was full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
Jesus is the Word of God made human. Jesus is full of grace and truth. Jesus did what the Father asked of Him, even going to His death on the cross for you. Jesus fully understands you and your human struggles because He lived in a human body too. He understands your temptations. He understands your emotions. He understands your weaknesses.
Of course, it is important to remember that Jesus was perfect, but He chose to live as a human being. Do you ever feel that Jesus could not possibly understand what it is like to be you? Jesus’ family was not rich. As an adult, He traveled in the company of people who were not at all perfect. Jesus understands what it means to be human. He understands you!
Encourage families to talk to their children about what life was like when they were young. By sharing about their own childhood, the adults will show their children that they understand what it is like to be children.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Welcome each child as she comes to class. Invite each child to tell you something he likes to do. Choose 4 things that several children mention to use in the following activity.
Each of you just told me something you like to do. We will use the things you like to do to play a game. For this game, I will assign the favorite things some of you mentioned to 4 different areas of our space. When I say, “Go,” you will walk to the area that matches the activity you most like to do. It may not be the idea you shared, but just choose the 1 you like most.
Name 4 different activities and assign each one a different area in your space. Ask the children to walk to the area assigned to the 1 activity that they like the most. If necessary, remind the children which area represents which activity. Once everyone has chosen an area, ask the children to sit down. Then, have each child find a partner in his area.
Wonderful! I am glad that each of you has an activity you enjoy doing. Now, we will play the game again. This time, you will think about a food you like to eat. For example, I really like (name a food you like). I need 4 people to raise their hands and name foods they like.
Call on 4 children. If any of the children name the same food as another child, have him name something else he likes. Assign each of the 4 foods to the different areas where the children are already sitting. Tell the children which area represents each food.
When I say, “Go,” everyone stand up and move to the area that matches your favorite food and sit down. Ready? Go!
Once the children are in the new areas, have them find new partners and quickly share what they like about their favorite foods.
Remember that we have learned that Jesus came to earth as a human being. Listen to this verse:
Read the verse directly from your Bible.
The Word became a human being. He made his home with us. We have seen his glory.
John 1:14a
Jesus, who is also called “the Word,” came to earth to live as a human person! He ate food, grew from a child into an adult, and did other things that you do. Today, we will learn more about how Jesus lived.
Jesus was a human. He started life as a baby. You did too! Then He grew into a child. You are a child, too! Let’s try something. Whenever I say, “You ___ too!” you will say, “Me too!” Let’s practice:
Practice the call and response with the children 3 times. Then, tell them that you will use the call and response as you teach about Jesus. Each time you say, “You ____ too,” pause for a moment for the children to respond by saying, “Me too!” If needed, you can tell the children that you will point to them when they should respond during the story.
Jesus began His life on earth as a baby, and He grew into a child. You did too!
Children respond, “Me too!”
He had to eat and drink to stay alive. You do too!
Allow 3–4 children to respond. If children say anything that is not appropriate, redirect them with, “Remember, Jesus was a perfect human.”
Very good! Now listen as I tell you more about when Jesus was growing up. When you hear me say, “You ___too!” you will say, “Me too!”
I will tell you a true story from the Bible about when Jesus was a child. This story in the Bible tells us about a trip Jesus went on with His family. Jesus was 12 years old when He went to visit Jerusalem for a special holiday feast.
Back in those days, people walked or rode on animals. You do too! It was a long trip, and they walked for several days. They were going to celebrate a special holiday. You do too!
After the holiday was over, his family started walking home. Jesus’ family was traveling in a big group of people. After walking for a long time, Jesus’ mother and earthly father could not find Jesus. They searched and searched, but they could not find Him! They were worried because they did not know what had happened to Him.
Jesus’ family returned to Jerusalem to look for Jesus. When they found Jesus, He was in the temple talking with the teachers. Listen to what the Bible says:
Read this verse directly from your Bible. Share the Action Bible image of Jesus in the temple if you are using it.
After three days they found him in the temple courtyard. He was sitting with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions.
Luke 2:46
His family found Jesus listening to teachers and asking them questions. Jesus talked to teachers. You do too! The teachers were amazed at how much Jesus understood. Even as a boy, Jesus understood a lot because He is God’s only Son. He also understands you! Jesus was a child. You are too!
Optional: If you are using The Action Bible, read the story of young Jesus at the temple on pages 542–544.
At the end of this story, the Bible says Jesus went back home with His family. The Bible tells us how Jesus grew up:
Jesus became wiser and stronger. He also became more and more pleasing to God and to people.
Luke 2:52
Jesus grew wiser and stronger. Jesus grew up. You will too! He wants to be with you as you grow up from a child to an adult. Jesus wants to help you grow wiser and stronger! Jesus understands what it is like to be a child because He was a child. Jesus had to grow up. You do too! Jesus grew wiser and stronger. You will too!
The story of Jesus going to the temple is a true story from the Bible! This is the only story in the Bible that tells us about Jesus as a child. Yes, it is true that Jesus was God’s only Son, but Jesus also lived on earth as a man.
Jesus is with you, and He understands what it is like to be tired, hungry, and thirsty. During His time on earth, He felt emotions such as sadness and happiness. He understands what you are feeling and thinking. He understands joyful times and difficult times. He understands and loves you very much.
Raise your hand if you like to play games. That is great!
Allow 2–3 children to respond to the following questions.
People who study people who lived a long time ago have discovered that people who lived at the same time as Jesus played many games. They have found pieces of what look like many of the games we still play today. When Jesus was a child, children played with spinning tops, hoops, toys with wheels, balls, and a game like hopscotch.
Draw squares in the dirt or lay them out with a rope or tape on the floor. It should start with a single square followed by 2 side-by-side squares. This pattern should repeat until there are a total of 10 squares. Each square should be approximately 30 cm in length by 30 cm in width.
Let’s play a game like Jesus might have played. In this game, your goal is to get as far down the game squares as you can. To find how far you can go, you will throw a stone to 1 of the numbers on the squares. You will not go past where the stone lands. On each single square you will hop on 1 foot. On each double set of squares, you will put both feet down. You will hop to your stone, turn around, and hop back to the start of the game squares. Each of you will have a turn to play.
When it is your turn to throw the stone, you must say something that Jesus did when He lived on earth that is the same as what you have done in your life. For example: “Jesus ate food.” Or, “Jesus felt sad.” After you say your statement, you can hop along the squares. The rest of you can respond, “Me too!” when someone says something that is true for your life too.
Ask the children to line up at 1 end of the game squares. Have each child take 1 turn playing the game. Then have the children form a circle and have them sit down.
Optional: If you are using Student Pages, give the children crayons and allow them to draw pictures of things Jesus did that are like what they have done or will do. For example, they may choose to draw a picture of food since Jesus ate food and they eat food.
Great job! We had fun with this game! Remember that Jesus understands what it is like to be a child. He understands what it is like to be sad and happy. He knows what it feels like to be hungry and tired. As you go through this week, remember that Jesus was a child, and He understands what it is like to be a child. Jesus understands you! Our memory verse today says:
The Son is the exact likeness of God, who can’t be seen. The Son is first, and he is over all creation.
Colossians 1:15
With the children, repeat the motions with the verse 3 times. End class by saying this blessing, based on Luke 2:52, over the children.
Blessing: May you grow wiser and stronger as you walk and talk with Jesus. May you grow to better understand God and other people.
Lead the children in singing this quarter’s song if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
