Jesus in God's House

Luke 2:41-52


Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called the Gospel of Luke. Luke loved Jesus and wanted others to know and love Jesus, too. And the word gospel means “good news!”

Every year, Jesus traveled with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem to celebrate a special holiday that thanked God. When Jesus was about twelve years old, He went with them, just like He always did.

After the celebration was over, Mary and Joseph began their long journey home. They thought Jesus was walking with family and friends. But after a while, they could not find Him. They looked everywhere, but Jesus was not there.

Mary and Joseph were very worried. They went back to Jerusalem and searched for Jesus. After three days, they found Him in God’s house—the Temple.

Jesus was sitting with the teachers. He was listening carefully and asking good questions. The teachers were amazed at how much Jesus understood.

Mary said, “Jesus, we were worried about You.”

Jesus answered gently, “I needed to be in My Father’s house.”

Mary and Joseph did not understand everything Jesus said, but they loved Him. Jesus went home with them and listened to them.

As Jesus grew, He became wiser and stronger. He loved God, and God was pleased with Him.
God helps us grow too.

Jesus loved being in God’s house. He listened, learned, and grew. God helps us grow every day.


Dear God,

Thank You for Jesus, who loved being in Your house. Thank You that Jesus listened, learned, and grew. Help us love You, listen carefully, and learn about You. Help us grow each day in love and kindness. We love You, God.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.






Bible Verse: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37, BSB

Paraphrase: “Nothing is too hard for God.”



Activities

These activities help preschoolers engage with the story through movement, crafts, music, and storytelling, making the lesson fun and memorable.


1. Finding Jesus

Objective: To help children understand that Mary and Joseph looked for Jesus and found Him in God’s house.

Materials: A small doll or figure (to represent Jesus), A few safe places in the room (chair, table, corner).

Activity: Hide the doll somewhere in the room while the children close their eyes. Invite them to help “look for Jesus.” When the doll is found, explain that Mary and Joseph were happy to find Jesus in God’s house.

Talk About It: “Mary and Joseph looked for Jesus and found Him. We can always look for Jesus too.”


2. Listening and Learning

Objective: To help children practice listening, just as Jesus listened and learned in the Temple.

Materials: None

Activity: Ask children to sit quietly while you say a short sentence, such as “God loves you.” Encourage them to listen carefully and repeat it back to you. Explain that Jesus listened to the teachers and learned about God.

Talk About It: “Jesus listened and learned. We can listen and learn too.”


3. Jesus Loves God’s House Song (Musical Activity)

Tune: The Muffin Man (Public Domain)

Objective: To help children remember that Jesus loved being in God’s house and enjoyed learning about God.

Materials: None (Optional: gentle clapping or pointing motions)

Activity: Explain that Jesus loved being in God’s house because He loved listening and learning about God. Teach the song using a call-and-response format, where the leader sings the first line and the children echo it back.

Encourage gentle clapping on the beat or pointing to the floor when singing “God’s house.”

Song Lyrics (Call-and-Response Friendly, to the tune of “The Muffin Man”)

        Leader:
        Did you know that Jesus loved,
        Jesus loved, Jesus loved?

        Children:
        Jesus loved God’s house,
        God’s house, God’s house.

        Leader:
        He would listen, He would learn,
        He would listen, He would learn.

        Children:
        He would listen, He would learn,
        In God’s house, in God’s house.

        (Optional second round for repetition)

        Leader:
        Jesus grew both strong and wise,
        Strong and wise, strong and wise.

        Children:
        As He learned in God’s house,
        God’s house, God’s house.

Talk About It: “Jesus loved being in God’s house and learning about God. What do you like to do in God’s house?”


4. Growing with God

Objective: To help children understand that Jesus grew, and God helps us grow too.

Materials: Open space.

Activity: Invite children to crouch down small and then slowly stand up tall. Explain that Jesus grew bigger and wiser, and God helped Him grow. Repeat the movement and talk about ways God helps us grow.

Talk About It: “God helps us grow every day.”

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Story illustrations are the copyright of James M. Thomas. All rights reserved.
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