Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: dolls/people figures (baby, child, adults), blocks, simple school/house area.
- Table: coloring page of a child Jesus in the temple or Jesus with His family, plus crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear that Jesus grew up just like you.”
- “Jesus was once a child.”
- “Jesus obeyed God and His parents.”
Opening Prayer (echo prayer)
Children repeat after you:
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Songs (5–10 minutes)
Song 1 – Jesus Loves Me
Song 2 – B-I-B-L-E
Song 3 – Simple star song
(Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
“Jesus was a little child,
Little child, little child.
Jesus was a little child,
He grew big and strong.
Jesus loved to do God’s will,
Do God’s will, do God’s will.
Jesus loved to do God’s will,
I can love it too.”
Motions: show “small” with hands low, then “big” with hands up; tap heart on “God’s will.”
- Motions: point to self, hug self, hands like a book on “Bible tells me so.”
Song 2 – B-I-B-L-E
- Bible hands, hug the “book,” step on “I stand alone.”
Song 3 – Simple star song
(Tune: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
“Jesus was a little child,
Little child, little child.
Jesus was a little child,
He grew big and strong.
Jesus loved to do God’s will,
Do God’s will, do God’s will.
Jesus loved to do God’s will,
I can love it too.”
Motions: show “small” with hands low, then “big” with hands up; tap heart on “God’s will.”
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Use: baby Jesus figure, child figure, adult figure, and a simple house/temple picture.
a) Jesus was a baby and grew
Hold baby Jesus figure.
b) Jesus and His family (Luke 2:41–52, simplified)
Place Jesus with “Mary” and “Joseph” figures.
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
Motions:
Hand low then move up tall on “grew up.”
Point up on “obeyed God.”
Point up (Jesus) then to self on “helps me obey.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
a) Jesus was a baby and grew
Hold baby Jesus figure.
- “We learned that Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem. He was tiny and needed His parents to take care of Him.”
- “The Bible tells us that Jesus did not stay a baby. He grew up, just like you are growing. He got bigger, He learned to talk, He learned to walk, and He learned many things.”
b) Jesus and His family (Luke 2:41–52, simplified)
Place Jesus with “Mary” and “Joseph” figures.
- “Jesus had a family. Mary and Joseph took good care of Him. Every year they went to God’s house, the temple, to worship and learn about God.”
- “When Jesus was about twelve years old, He went to the temple with His parents. Jesus listened to the teachers and asked questions. The teachers were amazed that Jesus understood so much about God.”
- “Mary and Joseph were worried when they could not find Him at first, but then they found Him in the temple. Jesus went back home with them and obeyed them. The Bible says Jesus grew in wisdom and in favor with God and with people. That means Jesus grew smarter and stronger and pleased God.”
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
- “Jesus grew up. Jesus obeyed God. Jesus helps me obey.”
Motions:
Hand low then move up tall on “grew up.”
Point up on “obeyed God.”
Point up (Jesus) then to self on “helps me obey.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
c) Jesus connection (our example and Savior)
Hold child-Jesus figure close to your heart.
“Jesus was once a child like you. He grew, He learned, and He obeyed God and His parents. He never sinned. Jesus is our Savior, but He is also our example. He shows us how to love God, obey our parents, and be kind to others.”
“Jesus understands what it is like to grow up. He loves you and is with you as you grow.”
Hold child-Jesus figure close to your heart.
“Jesus was once a child like you. He grew, He learned, and He obeyed God and His parents. He never sinned. Jesus is our Savior, but He is also our example. He shows us how to love God, obey our parents, and be kind to others.”
“Jesus understands what it is like to grow up. He loves you and is with you as you grow.”
Craft –“Jesus Grew Up”
Goal: Show Jesus growing (baby to child) with an obedience line.
Steps
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
When finished, have children hold up their craft and say:
Steps
- Give each child a paper with two sections.
- In the first section, help them glue or draw baby Jesus in a manger.
- In the second section, help them glue or draw child Jesus standing by a simple house/temple.
- Add the phrase at the bottom:
- “Jesus grew up. Jesus obeyed God. Jesus helps me obey.”
- Let them add hearts or little “growth” arrows if they want.
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- “Your picture shows Jesus as a baby and as a child. Jesus grew up just like you. He obeyed God and His parents. Jesus loves you and helps you obey God, your parents, and your teachers. You can remember: ‘Jesus grew up. Jesus obeyed God. Jesus helps me obey.’”
When finished, have children hold up their craft and say:
- “Jesus grew up. Jesus obeyed God. Jesus helps me obey.”
Supplies
- Paper divided into two simple sections: left “Baby Jesus,” right “Child Jesus”; or two small boxes you draw.
- Small baby shape and child shape to glue, or kids draw them.
- Crayons/markers.
- Glue sticks.
- Label/space to write: “Jesus grew up. Jesus obeyed God. Jesus helps me obey.”
Pierre's Activity Box
Children repeat after you:
