037 Jesus' Childhood - A Bible Story for Children

Matthew 2:19-23 - Luke 2:40-52

While he was growing up, Jesus helped Joseph in his carpenter's shop. With the other children in Nazareth, he played in the fields, and picked fruit in the orchards. He also studied the teachings of his people--the beliefs of the Jews and laws that God had given them.

Every year, Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem to pray in the Temple at the feast of the Passover. When Jesus was twelve, they took him with them to the great feast, the festival the Jews celebrated to remember how Moses led them out of Egypt.

When the festival was over, Joseph and Mary started back to Nazareth. They traveled with many friends and relatives, and it was a full day before they realized that Jesus was not with them. Immediately, they hurried back to Jerusalem to search for the boy.

There, after three days of searching, Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the Temple. He was sitting with the priests and teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. The teachers were amazed at Jesus' knowledge and at his questions, but Mary and Joseph were upset. "Son, why did you treat us like this?" Mary asked. "Your father and I looked everywhere for you. We were so worried."

Jesus turned to his mother. "Why did you look for me?" he said. "Did you not know that I would be in my Father's house?"

Joseph and Mary were surprised by this reply and did not really understand it. But in a few minutes Jesus was ready to leave the Temple, and obediently went home to Nazareth with his parents.

Jesus grew to manhood in that little town, among plain people. He was a good and dutiful son, and Mary treasured him, remembering in her heart all the things he said. And as Jesus grew taller and stronger, he also grew in wisdom and found favor with his neighbors and with God.

Category: Children's Bible Stories