Lesson 5: The Childhood of Jesus Christ

Primary 7: New Testament, (1997), 15–17

Purpose

To help the children learn about Jesus’ childhood and understand that God provided witnesses to testify that Jesus Christ is his Son.

Preparation

1. Prayerfully study Luke 2:21–52, Matthew 2, the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 3:24–26, and Doctrine and Covenants 93:11–14. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account (see “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and“Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii).

Luke 2

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

The consolation of Israel:
http://www.jesus.org/birth-of-jesus/genealogy-and-jewish-heritage/jesus-the-consolation-of-israel.html

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

More than one Church leader has indicated that at this point Jesus fully understood his mission and was ready to rule in the Kingdom of God on earth, except that he needed to attain physical maturity.

JS -- at age 12 he possessed all of the capacities and abilities to run the kingdom of God on the earth, but just needed to physically grow up

J. Reuben Clark -- visions of heaven are open to him so He knows what his ministry is -- at age 12

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

2. Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
3. Materials needed:
1. a. A Bible or a New Testament for each child.
2. b. An interesting object, such as a family keepsake, that is small enough to be easily hidden in the classroom.
3. c. Picture 7-6, Boy Jesus in the Temple (Gospel Art Picture Kit 205; 62500).

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

As the children come into class, show two or three of them the object you have brought; then hide it before the rest of the class arrives. Ask one of the children who saw the object to describe it without saying what it is. Ask the class if they know what the object is. Ask the other children who saw the object to describe it. Help the children understand that they can be more sure about something if they hear it from more than one person. Show the object to the class.

Explain that the children who first saw the object acted as witnesses because they knew about the object and described what it was like. A witness is someone who has a personal knowledge of something and shares that knowledge with others. A witness can also be something that gives evidence or proof; for example, the Book of Mormon witnesses that Jesus is the Christ. Explain that when Jesus was a child, Heavenly Father provided many witnesses to testify that Jesus was his Son.

Scripture Account

Teach the account of Jesus’ childhood as found in the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,”p. vii.)

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures. You could use enrichment activity 1 as a review of the previous lesson before you teach this lesson.

•Why did Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus to the temple? (Luke 2:21–24.)
• How did Simeon know that Jesus was the Son of God? (Luke 2:25–30.)
• How did Anna witness that Jesus was the Son of God? How do you think she knew who he was? (Luke 2:36–38.)
• How did the wise men know that Jesus was the Son of God? Why did they give him gifts? (Matthew 2:2, 11.)
• How can you be a witness of Jesus Christ?
• Why did Heavenly Father tell Joseph to take his family to Egypt? (Matthew 2:13–14.) What did Herod do to try to keep Jesus from becoming king? (Matthew 2:16.) How did Joseph know it was safe to return from Egypt? (Matthew 2:19–20.) Where did the family go to live? (Matthew 2:21–23.)
• What do you think Jesus did as a boy to gain experience and knowledge? (JST, Matthew 3:24–26; Luke 2:40, 52; D&C 93:11–14.) What things are important for you to learn as you grow up? What goals have you set?
• Show the picture Boy Jesus in the Temple. Why were the men in the temple impressed with Jesus? (Luke 2:46–47. Note that Joseph Smith’s translation of this scripture says, “And they were hearing him, and asking him questions.”) What does this tell us about how much Jesus had learned in his childhood? What can you do to learn more about the gospel? How was Jesus honoring and obeying his Father in the temple?
• What did Jesus do to honor and obey Joseph and Mary? (Luke 2:51–52.) Explain that Joseph and Mary taught Jesus during his childhood just as our parents teach us during our childhoods. How can you honor your parents?

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

1. Have the children name as many people as possible from the previous weeks’ lessons who witnessed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. To help the children remember these witnesses, you could have them look up the following scriptures: Luke 1:30–32 (Gabriel),Luke 1:41–43 (Elisabeth), John 1:29–34 (John the Baptist), and Luke 2:8–17 (the angels and shepherds).
2. Discuss goals the children could set to help them learn more about the gospel, such as reading the scriptures every day, praying, participating in family home evening, and so on. Ask the children to write on a piece of paper two goals that will help them learn more about the gospel this year. Encourage them to keep the paper where they can see it often.
3. Make a copy of the map at the end of this lesson for each child in your class. Let the children find and label the places where Jesus lived: Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Egypt, and Nazareth. (Maps #13 and #14 in the LDS edition of the King James Version of the Bible can help you with this activity.)
(click to view larger)
4. Help the children memorize the first article of faith.
5. Write on the chalkboard scripture references to times when Heavenly Father witnessed that Jesus is his Son (Matthew 3:16–17; 17:5; 3 Nephi 11:6–8; Joseph Smith—History 1:17). Have the children look up the references, and discuss what happened in each instance.
6. Help the children memorize Luke 2:52.
7. Sing or read the words to “Jesus Once Was a Little Child” (Children’s Songbook, p. 55) or“This Is My Beloved Son” (Children’s Songbook, p. 76).

Conclusion

Testimony

Share with the children your feelings about Jesus Christ, and tell them why it is important to you that he is the Son of God. Help them understand that if they follow Jesus’ example they can be more like him.

Enrichment activity 2 could be used as a life application of the lesson.

Primary New Testament

Pages

Sunday, January 25, 2015