When Jesus Was Twelve Years Old

When Jesus Was Twelve Years Old is a story about the Lord's adolescence. The most important revelation about this story is that Jesus knew His identity as Son of God.

Who told Jesus that He was the Son of God? 

God told Him. 

This means that God spoke to Jesus, even in the womb. This is the example that every father must follow.

Identity or self-awareness as a human is very important. Every human needs to confess and know these FOUR points. 

1. I was created by God.

2. I am created in the image and likeness of God.

3. I was sent to earth by God.

4. God is my Father.

Read Psalm 139 to learn more.  Now let's get to the story.

Jesus is God's Son

Jesus is God’s Son but He lived with His mother Mary her husband, Joseph. Jesus was both human and also God. They all lived in the village of Nazareth.

Joseph was a carpenter and Jesus helped him as He grew up. 

Jesus would play games with His friends just like all the other boys.

Jesus however was different from other children in that He was always obedient to God, Mary and Joseph. He did not do wrong things. 

 Jesus grew up in  a family with His step-brothers and step-sisters. 

He also went to school where He studied hard.

Time to go to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Passover

One day Jesus was very happy. It was time to go to Jerusalem with others from Nazareth to worship God in the Temple. It was something they did several times a year.

It took a few days for the large group of people from Nazareth and the surrounding area to walk to the big city.

As they climbed up the big hill to Jerusalem they sang psalms and praised God.

Finally, they went into the Temple where people were teaching

about God and worshipping Him. Jesus was pleased. After all,

His real Father was God.

Jesus was now 12 years old. That was the age at which most boys began to learn how to do the job their father did.

Many people came into the Temple to pray to God.

Some people came into the temple to say sorry to God for the wrong

things they had done and ask Him to forgive them.

Teachers taught people how to obey God and live by His laws. People could ask questions and find out how God wanted them to live.

Some however were very proud and came to the Temple to show off

how good and generous they thought they were. Some people were impressed by them but they did not please God.

There were musicians in the Temple who led people in singing praise

to God. 

It was a  wonderful time as people ate meals with their friends and family and put their lives right with God.

After a few days it was time to return. The large group of people from Nazareth started to make their way out of Jerusalem. Mary and

Joseph thought Jesus was with the other children making the

journey home or with their relatives.

Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was missing

But later, after traveling all day, they stopped. They called out for

Jesus. But there was no reply. Where was He? They asked people if

they had seen Jesus. But they all shook their heads.

‘Have you seen Jesus,’ shouted Mary and Joseph to those traveling at the front.

‘No, we haven´t seen Jesus all day,’ they answered. Mary and Joseph were very worried. Had Jesus been left alone in Jerusalem?  They must rush back at once to find Him.

The next day they arrived back in Jerusalem tired and exhausted. They went through the narrow streets but could not find Jesus anywhere. They searched all day but could not find Him.

The day after they kept looking. They asked people if they had seen

a 12 year-old boy on His own. But people shook their heads. They

searched all day but there was no sign of Jesus.

Jesus had now been missing for three days and Mary and Joseph were so worried. They decided to go to the Temple.

They did not know it, but Jesus had been in the Temple all that time. It was God’s house – His Father’s house.

Jesus had been in the Temple all that time

Jesus asked the Temple teachers difficult questions about God,

but they could not answer them. In response, He explained about God to them and answered their questions.

People were stunned that such a young boy knew so much about

God. A boy who was only 12 years old! From where has He received

all His wisdom?

Mary and Joseph find Jesus

Mary and Joseph began searching in the Temple. Suddenly they  gasped. There was Jesus! Talking with the Temple teachers.

They rushed to hug Him.

Where have you been? We have been so worried about you?

‘Don’t you know that now I am 12, I am the age when I must carry out my Father’s business?’ Jesus replied.

Mary and Joseph did not understood what Jesus had said. Maybe they had forgotten the circumstances of His birth.

Jesus wisely knew God’s command that we must all obey our parents, so He set off at once with Mary and Joseph on the

trip back to Nazareth.

Jesus grew up being obedient to Mary and Joseph and God. He

grew strong in every way, loving His Heavenly Father and His parents on earth.

 When Jesus Was Twelve Years Old scriptures 

LUKE 2

41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;

43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,

44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him.

46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.

47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.

48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, ``Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You."

49 And He said to them, ``Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house? "

50 But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.

51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

  

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 Jesus Taught Us Not To Worry

Jesus taught us that we are not to worry because we are the children of our Heavenly Father.  He told His disciples not to worry about  food, drink and clothing in our daily lives.

He said that there are things in life that  are more important than food, clothes and drink.

Jesus talked about how God takes care of the birds of the air

Jesus pointed out the birds of the air.  

He explained that they do not  work. They do not plant seeds or reap any harvest. 

They do not work to store food away in barns, Jesus said.

They don't plant seeds.

They don't reap any crops.

They don't store food away in barns

Yet Your heavenly Father feeds them, Jesus exclaimed.

He continued with a question, "aren't you not much more valuable than they?’ 

So why do you worry about clothes! Jesus exclaimed.

Jesus talked next about how God takes care of the flowers

Jesus pointed out the flowers.  He said to His disciples, "see how the flowers of the field grow? They do not labour or spin."

To the disciples' amazement, The Lord then compared the flowers to King Solomon. King Solomon was the third ruler of Israel. He was very rich and famous, and wore glamorous clothing.

The disciples' eyes must have popped open when Jesus said that although King Solomon dressed with great splendour, he was not more glamorous than the flowers.

Jesus must have smiled as He continued with a very important  truth:

‘If God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" 

Jesus concluded by commanding His disciples not to worry

Jesus commanded His disciples, including us, not to worry about food, drink or clothing. He said that we must not  pursue these things as critical because our Father knows we need them. 

"So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and Your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

In fact, many people do anything possible to get food, drink and clothes.  They do so without caring that they displease God to get these them.

Instead, Jesus said, we must:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Jesus taught His disciples not to worry bible verses: Matthew 6: 25 - 34

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 

26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 

27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 

29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 

30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’

32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Jesus taught His disciples not to worry video

The Girl Who Lived Twice

 The girl who lived twice introduction

The girl who lived twice is a story about a twelve-year-old child who Jesus raised from the dead. 

One day, terrible trouble came to Jairus, the little girl's father. His beloved daughter, only twelve years old, got sick. 

It seemed nobody could help her. The little girl was very sick. Jairus knew that his daughter was dying.

Jarius went to ask Jesus for help

Jairus set out to find Jesus and bring Him back to his house. Jairus probably knew his religious friends did not approve of Jesus.  

Jairus didn't care. He had to get help quickly before his daughter  died.

Jarius got to Jesus

Jesus was surrounded by people. Jarius kneeled at Jesus' feet and sobbed:

  

"My little daughter lies at the point of death," the desperate  

man begged.  "Come and lay your hands on her that she may be healed, and she will live." 

Jesus went with Jairus.  But they could not move quickly because of the huge crowd. 

A lady interrupted Jesus and Jarius

One lady had been very sick for twelve long years.  She had gone to all the doctors (and had spent all her money) without getting help. She desperately wanted to see Jesus!

The lady wondered what to do? 

"If only I could touch His clothes, I shall be made well," the lady muttered. 

She inched her way toward Jesus. Then, stretching out  her hand, she touched Jesus' robe. 

A miracle! A MIRACLE!  The lady was healed immediately and completely!  She knew she was well and strong and whole. 

Jesus asked who had touched Him

A voice spoke. 

"Who touched Me?" Jesus asked.  

Crowds had touched Him, but the lady who was healed knew He wanted her to tell Him about it. Timidly, she told Him her whole story.

Meantime, Jarius got sad news

People from Jarius' home came to meet him. Their faces probably told the sad story before they spoke.

"Your daughter is dead!" they told Jairus.

Dead! It was too late. Perhaps, if that lady hadn't delayed them, things would have been different!  

Dead! Jairus’ precious little girl was gone. 

When Jesus heard it, He answered, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." 

It must have been difficult for Jairus to really believe Jesus. His 

daughter was dead. 

Jesus took the little girl by the hand

At the house, everybody wept and mourned for the girl.

"She is not dead, but sleeping," Jesus told them. They laughed at Him because they knew the girl was dead. Jesus put them all out, took the girl by the hand and said, "Little girl, arise."

Jairus was there. His wife was there. Three of Jesus' disciples were there. They all heard Jesus' words. Would the little dead girl  

hear them, too?

The little girl obeyed Jesus' command

The little girl heard Jesus' command! Her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.  Jesus had raised her from the dead.

The girl's parents were astonished. Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 

How happy they must have felt! The must have felt very grateful to Jesus. His wonderful love and power brought their daughter back from death.

How to receive eternal life and live forever

This Bible story tells us about our wonderful God who  made us and who wants us to know Him. God knows we were born in sins and that we have done bad things, which He calls sin.  

The punishment for sin is death, but God loves us so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a Cross and be punished for our sins. Then Jesus came back to life and  went home to Heaven! 

If you believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins, He will do it! He will come and live in you now, and you will live with Him forever.  

It is important to turn from your sins in order to live forever.  Say this to God: 

Dear God, I believe that Jesus died for me and now lives again. Please come into my life and forgive my sins.  Please give me eternal life now,  and help me  to live for You as Your child. Amen. 

Now that you are a child of God, please read the Bible and talk with God every day! 

ATTRIBUTION

Written by: Edward Hughes. 

Illustrated by: Janie Forest Adapted by: Ruth Klassen and Alastair Paterson.  

Produced by: Bible for Children www.M1914.org. 

©2020 Bible for Children, Inc. 

License: You have the right to copy or print this story, as long as you do not sell it.

Rich Man Poor Man

Rich man, poor man introduction

Rich man, poor man is a story that Jesus told about two men. One was rich and one was poor. The story highlights the importance of obeying God and doing what is right while we live in the earth.

Jesus knew many of the religious leaders loved money more than they loved God.

He told what happened to these two men, and why it is useless to have riches without God. Riches cannot buy life with God in Heaven.

Read on to learn more.



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The rich man

There was a certain rich man who had beautiful clothes which cost lots of money. He dressed like a king.

The rich man also ate very well. Every meal was like a great feast. He had so much money he could buy anything he wanted to eat for breakfast, lunch, supper - or for in-between snacks.

The poor man was named Lazarus

At the gate of the rich man's house there lay a poor, sick, starving beggar. His name was Lazarus.

Poor Lazarus was full of sores. He may have had a disease. He may have had cuts and bruises from others being mean to him.

Maybe he had sores because he did not have good food like milk, vegetables or meat. Lazarus longed for food. He would have been happy with the crumbs from the rich man's table.

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Bible for Children 

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Dogs were Lazarus' friends

Stray dogs sometimes padded over to the poor helpless beggar. They sniffed around him and licked his wounds. It seems nobody cared that Lazarus was starving.

Lazarus died and went to Heaven

One morning, Lazarus did not wake up. The poor starving, friendless beggar had left this life. Lazarus was dead.

Joy began for Lazarus the moment he died. Jesus said angels carried him to be with Abraham. Lazarus was comforted by God.

The rich man also died

The rich man also died. All his money could not save his life. When death came, nobody could stop it.

The rich man was buried. Perhaps it was a large funeral. Perhaps people praised the rich man for being clever and successful. 

Their praises did not help him. The rich man was in Hell.

The rich man discovered that he was in hell

In Hell, the rich man cried, "Father Abraham, send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame."

"In life you had everything and Lazarus had nothing," Abraham reminded the rich man. "Now Lazarus is comforted and you are tormented. No one can cross the great gulf between you and us."

The rich man asked Abraham to warn his siblings

"Send Lazarus to warn my five brothers," the rich man pleaded. "I don't want them to end up in this place of torment."

"Your brothers have God's Word," Abraham replied. If the five brothers would not believe the Bible, they would not believe if Lazarus came back from the dead.

When Jesus finished the story of the rich man and Lazarus, perhaps the religious leaders asked themselves, "Do I love riches more than I love God?"

Now they knew what would happen if they did not heed God's Word.

Message from the bible story rich man, poor man

This Bible story tells us about our wonderful God who made us and who wants us to know Him.

God knows we have done bad things, which He calls sin.  The punishment for sin is death, but God loves us so  much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a Cross and be punished for our sins.

Then Jesus came back to life and went home to Heaven! If you believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins, He will do it! He will come and live in you now, and you will receive eternal life.  

Prayer for salvation from sins

If you want to turn from your sins, say this to God: 

Dear God, I believe that Jesus died for me and  now lives again.  Please forgive my sins, so that I can have new life now, and one day go to be with You forever. 

You are now my only God and I will love you alone. Help me to live for You as Your child. 

I turn away from all the bad things I used to do, and trust you to make me righteous as you are, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 

Rich man, poor man bible verses  - Luke 16: 19 - 31.

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 

20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 

21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, 

23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 

24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 

25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 

26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 

27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 

28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 

29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 

30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 

31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

ATTRIBUTION - RICH MAN, POOR MAN

Written by: E. Duncan Hughes 

Illustrated by: Alastair Paterson and M. Maillot  and Lazarus.    

Adapted by: M. Maillot and Sarah S. Produced by: Bible for Children - www.M1914.org 

©2020 Bible for Children, Inc. 

License: You have the right to copy or print this story,  as long as you do not sell it.