MEASURE UP - Week 2
“When I’m older!” “When I’m taller!” Every kid is excited to grow up — even if it’s just to finally ride that big kid roller coaster they’ve had their eye on. This four-week series is about another kid who grew up — Jesus! Through stories from Jesus’ early life and ministry, our kids will learn five important truths to help them continue growing: God guides us to safety, we can love God with our actions, we can follow Jesus, and God makes us ready at the right time.
READ: The Boy Jesus at the Temple: Luke 2:41–52; Isaiah 42:1–9
WATCH:
Preschool- teaching video
Elementary- teaching video
SONG: I Believe in Jesus
COLORING: Jesus at the temple
DISCIPLE:
How the following images (or others like it), describing each. After that, have kids draw a picture of themselves surrounded by the trusted adults in their own lives.
Show an image of Jesus teaching people, even those much older than him.
Show an image of Jesus with his parents, making the Festival of the Passover trip each year.
Show an image of kids and parents at church
Show an image of kids with a babysitter or other trusted adult.
As we grow up, parents and other trusted adults can show us what it looks like to love God — like our team of leaders here at church, who are always ready to help you learn and grow!
Even though Jesus was God's son and he seemed to have been able to do fine on his own for three days, he still obeyed his parents.
God gives us parents, family members, and teachers to help us grow, and our job is to listen to them. That is one way we can love God with our actions.
Read Luke 2:41-52 to your family. Jesus showed everyone around him that day you can never be too young or too old to show how much you love God.
Pray: Dear God, I know that my actions say so much about what matters most to me, and I want to show that it's you! Help me to love you with both the things I say and the things I do. Thank you for putting people in my life that help me grow my love for you. Amen.
DISCUSS:
Jesus' parents couldn't find him. What did Jesus' mother say to him when she found him?
How did Jesus respond to his mother and father when they asked why he stayed behind at the temple?
How did people listening to the boy Jesus feel about his teachings?
Read Isaiah 42:5. How do these things that God has done show us that God loves us?
In what ways is it easy to love with our actions? In what ways can it be challenging?
What are some actions that show that we love God?
What action can you take this week to apply something someone has taught you about God?