First Thoughts: It might seem a bit jarring to read this scripture so soon after the birth of Christ. Last time we saw him he was only a newborn baby and here Jesus is twelve years old running away from his parents! But this move in the lectionary might be strategic. It's easy for us to become so enamored of the nativity scene that we want to stay in it too long. The challenge for adults (especially parents!) in this passage is that Jesus seems to be choosing loyalty to his heavenly parent over that of his earthly parents. Since in the Jewish tradition Jesus is very close to the age of adulthood, this behavior demonstrates an appropriate shifting of loyalty from his childhood home to his divine calling. Any parent can sympathize with Mary and Joseph's resistance: "Why can't my baby stay a baby a bit longer?" Part of our job as adults is to launch our children into their life calling, as Rumi reminds us, "You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth." As you prepare this lesson, meditate on the spiritual being of each child you teach, how God is already molding and shaping them, and how God is already leading them. Consider them as ones being prepared for serious work and yourself as an instrument of God's grace in that preparation. Enter your time with them as one stepping on holy ground.
Teaching On Your Own: Hey everybody. I have a question for you this morning. I have a friend named Maggie. Last week she decided that she didn't want to eat meat anymore. She just loves animals so much that she doesn't feel right eating them. But here's the question -- her parents still think eating meat is okay. So what should Maggie do? I know the Bible tells us to honor our parents, so does that mean she needs to just go along with whatever they do? What do you think? Should children ignore their own feelings about things? I don't think so. I mean, God speaks to children too, right? Well then it's important for children and adults to take that seriously.
It reminds me of our story today. Jesus was twelve years old, and he and his parents had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. While they were there Jesus was separated from his parents. When Mary and Joseph first realized Jesus was missing, they were very worried. Finally after looking for three days they found Jesus in the temple, talking with the priests there. At first they were upset and asked Jesus what he thought he was doing making them worry like that. But he responded, "Didn't you know I would be in my Father's house?" See, Jesus felt called to learn in the temple and to find out more about God. It was important for him, since he was going to dedicate his life to sharing God's love with other people. So that's where he was spending his time.
Do you think Jesus' parents were angry? Well, they weren't really. They were surprised at first, but then they remembered God had called him for a very special purpose and they accepted that. Jesus went back home with Mary and Joseph and was obedient to them like a good son should be. But just as Jesus honored them as his parents, Mary and Joseph also honored Jesus' special relationship with God. So maybe Maggie should talk to her parents about her feelings. What do you think? Hopefully they will be like Mary and Joseph honoring her feelings and allowing her to make this decision according to her own conscience. Maybe then honoring our parents doesn't only mean doing whatever they say but sharing with them how God is speaking to us as well. That's probably the best way to honor them.
Teaching As A Team:
Leader 2: Hey (name) I have a question this morning.
Leader 1: You do? What about?
Leader 2: I have a friend named Maggie. Last week she decided that she didn't want to eat meat anymore. She just loves animals so much that she doesn't feel right eating them.
Leader 1: There are lots of people who feel that way.
Leader 2: But here's the question -- her parents still think eating meat is okay. So what should Maggie do? I know the Bible tells us to honor our parents, so does that mean she needs to go along with whatever they do?
Leader 1: That's a really good question. It is important to honor our parents, but that doesn't mean that children should ignore their own feelings about things. God speaks to children too, you know.
Leader 2: God does?
Leader 1: Of course, and it's important for children and adults to take that seriously. It reminds me of our story today. Jesus was twelve years old, and he and his parents had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. While they were there Jesus was separated from his parents. When Mary and Joseph realized Jesus was missing, they were very worried.
Leader 2: That would be scary.
Leader 1: Finally after looking for three days they found Jesus in the temple, talking with the priests there. At first they were very upset and asked Jesus what he thought he was doing making them worry like that. But he responded, "Didn't you know I would be in my Father's house?" See, Jesus felt called to learn in the temple and to find out more about God. It was important for him, since he was going to dedicate his life to sharing God's love with other people. So that's where he was spending his time.
Leader 2: Weren't his parents angry?
Leader 1: Not exactly. They were surprised at first, but then they remembered God had called him for a very special purpose and they accepted that. Jesus went back home with Mary and Joseph and was obedient to them like a good son should be. But just as Jesus honored them as his parents, Mary and Joseph also honored Jesus' special relationship with God.
Leader 2: So maybe Maggie should talk to her parents about her feelings?
Leader 1: That seems like a good idea. Hopefully they will be like Mary and Joseph, honor her feelings, and allow her to make this decision according to her own conscience.
Leader 2: So maybe then honoring our parents doesn't only mean doing whatever they say but sharing with them how God is speaking to us as well.
Leader 1: I'd say that's the very best way to honor our parents.
Closing Prayer: Loving God, help us to be aware that you are calling us on our own journey of faith and that we should listen carefully to your call. Help us to be courageous in sharing our convictions with our families, honoring them by including them in our journey with you. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
Follow-Up Lesson: To reinforce this lesson in a home or classroom environment, encourage the children to talk about what their parents expect of them (clean their room, eat good food, take a bath, share with siblings, and so forth). Why do our parents want us to do these things? So we can be healthy, happy, and kind people. Sometimes we might see things differently from our parents -- maybe we're concerned about something that doesn't seem as important to them. Maybe we even feel that God is asking us to do something different than they expect. Ask if anyone can come up with an example. This is a normal part of us growing up and becoming mature Christians, but we still need to honor our parents. We do this by 1) sharing how we feel, and 2) doing so in a respectful way.
Going back to the story, how did Jesus explain himself to his parents? Invite the children to think of ways they might address an important topic with their parents. Maybe they can ask their parents to set aside some special time, write a letter expressing their thoughts, or request that their parents pray with them. Remind the children that God loves them and their parents and wants what's best for everybody. So honoring God also means honoring ourselves and our parents.
For a craft provide each child with two paper plates. Draw a line on one plate dividing it in thirds. On one third write the word "God," on the second "Self" and on the third "Parents." (You can also invite the children to draw pictures.) Take the other plate and put it on top of the first one, cutting out a space on the bottom corresponding to one of the sections of the first place. On the top plate, write the words "I Will Honor...". Finally punch a hole through the middle of both plates and attach them with a paper fastener. The final product should have the "I Will Honor" on the top, with the words "God, Self, and Parents" rotating through the bottom slot. Remind the children that being truly faithful is only possible when we honor God, ourselves, and our parents, since honoring one is the same as honoring them all. Close with prayer.
