MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I always loved this story because it showed the real human side of Jesus. I, too, wandered off from my parents when I was a kid and I got scolded, as well. Of course, my excuses weren’t quite as astounding as the response Jesus gives!!

Luke 2.39-52

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Where do you think Jesus got His “wisdom”? Was it God-given, what He learned from His parents or on His own, or a little of both? Why do you think “the favor of God was upon him”? Is this something special or can we “achieve” this gift as well?

+ What does it tell you about Joseph + Mary that “it was according to custom” they traveled to Jerusalem every year for Passover?

+ Have you ever “misplaced” a child or anything similar in magnitude? Discuss your experience within your group.

+ What do you make of Mary’s rebuke of Jesus? What do you make of His response? Why didn’t Joseph + Mary understand His answer? Do you think Jesus’ “unique” relationship with Joseph + Mary was openly discussed in their home? Why or why not?

+ How did Jesus “increase” in wisdom and in favor with God? Is it important for us to increase in favor with man? Why or why not?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ The incarnation of Jesus is truly a mystery. The relationship between His divine and human nature was a hotly debated topic in the early Church, and it continues even today. The Council of Chalcedon, in 451AD, proclaimed Jesus was “truly God and truly man”, having two natures, perfectly united, but without mixture, confusion, separation, or division, with each nature retaining its own attributes. Somehow, the only begotten Son of God also had to submit to his earthly parents, battle temptation to sin, and grow in wisdom and knowledge just like the rest of humanity. Amazing!!!

[Hebrews 4.15] “15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

[Psalm 86. 8-10] “8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.”

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?