CHILDREN’S DEVOTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF: 8/3- 8/9/2008
LESSON TITLE: Jesus Visits the Temple as a Boy.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:39-52


THEME: God is worthy of our obedience.


Dear Parents…
Welcome to Bible Time for Kids! Bible Time for Kids is a series of daily devotions for children and their families. Our purpose is to supplement our Sunday morning curriculum and give you an opportunity to encourage your children to develop a daily devotional life. We hope you and your family will be blessed as you study God’s Word together.

This week in Children’s Church we learned about Jesus’ visit to the temple as boy. The theme was “God is Worthy of Our Obedience.” It’s exciting to know that Jesus was once a child also. Jesus shows us examples of how to live as a child as well as an adult.

Jesus shows us how we can live out our spiritual life. We can be obedient to our parents just like Jesus was. God placed Jesus’ parents over Him while He was a child. Jesus obeyed Mary and Joseph because of His obedience to God. Lets start this week out right by walking in His ways!
The section of scripture that we studied was Luke 2:39-52. The following five devotions are based on either the scripture and/or the theme for Sunday’s lesson. As a starting point it would be good for you to review these verses with your children.

These devotions are designed to help you reinforce Sunday’s lesson throughout the week with your children, provide some more ideas for the application of God’s Word in your children’s lives and provide a tool to help in family devotions.

Obviously children at various age levels will respond to the devotional in different ways. You may want to add your own ideas to these to make them more age appropriate.

May the Lord bless you as you study His Word together!


Day One
Setting an Example
Text: Titus 2:7a - “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.”
Also read 2 Chronicles 34:1-8, 18, 29-31

Joel woke up this morning and walked into the kitchen. He sat down at the table and began reading his Bible. He enjoyed reading his devotions every morning before breakfast. Soon after Joel woke up, his sister, Katie, came in and sat down next to him. Katie noticed that Joel was reading his Bible and devotions. Katie got up from the table and went into her bedroom to get her Bible. Katie returned and sat next to Joel. Katie did not know how to read but she pretended to be like her brother.

This week in our devotions we will be reading and learning about Jesus when He was a child. Jesus was a child at one time just like you. Jesus set an example for us to live our lives by. When we are at home or at church or at school we need to be aware of others around us. Children that are younger look up to those who are older and like to mimic or copy them. Little children want to be grown up so they like to act like the bigger kids. Titus 2: 7 tells us that in all things we need to show ourselves to be a pattern of good works. When we read about Jesus this week let’s try to copy some of His patterns.

In our reading in 2 Chronicles we learn about a very young king by the name of Josiah. But even though he was very young he became a great example to God’s people, even the adults! Josiah was a young king who ruled in Judah. He was influenced to do great things for God by the godly example of an earlier king. Josiah became king at age eight. At sixteen he was influenced by the pattern of King David and Josiah began to seek after David’s God (verse 3). Josiah truly obeyed the command given to us in Titus 2: 7 “ In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.” Because Josiah obeyed God’s word, he became an example to others and he was greatly blessed.

• What kind of an example are you setting for others around you?
• What was the name of the king that Josiah wanted to be like?
• When reading about Jesus this week write down some examples that He set and pray that you would follow them.

Kid’s Bible Dictionary
Pattern: Something worth copying.


Day Two
Growing in Wisdom
Text: Luke 2:40 -“And the Child (Jesus) grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Also read James 1:5

As Marina was returning home from a friend’s house, she noticed two men following behind her. The sun was going down and it was starting to get dark outside. Marina started to get frightened and began walking faster. She prayed to God for His protection. Marina trusted the Lord for wisdom in doing the right thing. When she approached the corner she noticed Mr. Goodson’s light was on inside his house. Mr. Goodson was the mechanic who repaired her father’s car.

Marina ran over to his house and used the phone to call her parents. Marina’s mother and father were very pleased to see that Marina used good wisdom when she was fearful. Marina’s parents picked her up and returned home. Marina’s father told her, “There may have been nothing to those men following you, but you never know. You did the wise thing Marina, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

When Marina realized two strangers were following her, she had to decide what to do instantly. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations we don’t expect. But whether we are dealing with an emergency situation or just a daily routine, we are constantly faced with making decisions. And we need to know what to do every time we need wisdom.

Wisdom comes from God. As we learn about Jesus we see that He not only grew in size but He grew also in wisdom. This is an example that we can follow. Can we find wisdom on our own? No way! When reading Luke 2:40, whose grace was upon Jesus? Gods! So, if we want to grow in wisdom where do we go? James 1:5 tells us to ask God for wisdom. Wisdom is responding to whatever happens in life in God’s way.

• What’s the difference between a wise person and a foolish person? (Matthew 7:24-27)
• How do you get wisdom? Hint: read James 1:5-8
• Read Proverbs 30:24-28. What does each animal mentioned in that passage teach you about wisdom?

Kid’s Bible Dictionary
Wisdom: Good sense; insight; understanding. The Bible says that wisdom is important to have, but that only God can make a person wise.


Day Three
What Did You Say?
Text: Luke 2:46-“Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.” Also read Hebrews 2:1-3

What is listening? Listening is a tool we use to communicate to others, follow directions, and learn things. Every day of our lives we listen to someone speak, whether it is a person or on the television or radio. Our brains receive the sounds we hear and turn them into a thought. What do you suppose hearing bad words or bad things do to our thoughts? Bad words or bad things can cause us to have bad thoughts and those thoughts can turn into bad actions. We must be careful of what we listen to and make sure that we measure the things we hear by God’s standard of right and wrong. That way we will be learning to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Jesus gives us a good example of what a listener should be like. During His youth, Jesus would listen to the teachers in the temple. By listening He gained in His wisdom and understanding. Jesus also listened to His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. He was an obedient child. Jesus also listened to the needs of the people around Him. But most importantly, Jesus listened to His father, God. By listening and being obedient, He did the will of God.

We as Christians can follow Jesus’ example of listening. First, let’s start the day by praying to our Heavenly Father and listening for His directions in our life. Secondly, listen to your parents and do what they ask of you. Thirdly, let’s listen to one another and give them our undivided attention. When we listen to others and give them our attention we show them our concern and care for their life. What an opportunity to share God’s word with others!

• How can you be a good listener?
• Based on Jesus’ example what are some ways that you can become a better listener?
• Make sure to look each person in the eye, give him or her your undivided attention, and really listen—with both your ears and your heart!

Kid’s Bible Dictionary
Listening: to pay attention in order to hear what someone is saying.


Day Four
Obedience
Text: 1 John 2:6 -“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” Also read Luke 2:49-52

“Children are to obey their parents for this is the will of God,” Mr. Ben the Children’s Church teacher stated. Michelle leaned over to her friend Allison and said, “But I don’t always feel like obeying, especially when my Mom gives me a list of chores to do.” “I know what you mean!” Allison chimed in, “It’s a lot more fun to play with my friends than to do chores around the house.” Do you think Michelle and Allison are good examples of obedience for us to follow? I don’t think so!

When it comes to obedience, Jesus is our example. After reading Luke 2:41-52 we see that after searching frantically for three days Jesus’ earthly parents found Him in the temple. Mary and Joseph were much amazed at the knowledge and wisdom of their child Jesus. Jesus could have told them, “You don’t understand. I know what I am doing.” Instead, He went back with Mary and Joseph to Nazareth. God put Jesus under the authority of Mary and Joseph during His childhood, and in obedience to God, “He was obedient to them” (Luke 2:51).

Let’s look at 1 John 2:6 again. “He who says he abides”…This part of the verse refers to you and me if we say that we are Christians. We abide in Him therefore we should want to walk as He walked. Since one of the many characteristics of Jesus was to be obedient, we need to be obedient to God therefore we need to be obedient to our parents. I also need to be obedient to others who are placed in authority over me, such as my teachers, baby sitter, grandparents, etc.

• What do you think would be the right thing for Michelle and Allison to do in the above story?
• What does it mean to abide in God’s will?
• Can others see your obedience to God?

Kid’s Bible Dictionary
Obey: To follow the commands or guidance of someone else.
Abide: To remain or live in. Like “abiding” in a home.



Day Five
A Balanced Life
Text: Luke 2:52 -“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Also read Luke 2:40

In order for our body to grow we need to have a balanced diet. We eat foods such as fruits, breads, meat, vegetables, and dairy products so our body can be nourished and grow healthy. We need to read, listen, and think in order for our minds and our knowledge to grow. Spiritually we need to pray, read our bibles, go to church, fellowship with other Christians, and possibly even suffer at times to grow as Christians. No matter what we do in life we need to spend time doing things that help us to be healthy. If we neglect those things then we will be sick or weak. It is the same way being a Christian.

This week we have learned about Jesus as a child and some of the examples he gave us to live our life by as His children. Jesus had a balanced life, He grew both physically and mentally, but His spiritual life was important too. We might think that it was easy for Him because He was God, but He still prayed and loved to read the scriptures. He gave us the perfect example of having a relationship with the Father. Every aspect of His human life was important to Jesus and it should be important to all believers. We need to develop fully and grow physically, mentally and spiritually.

In order for us to develop and increase like Jesus did we must first submit our lives to Him. We know if we don’t eat the right foods our body can get sick, if we don’t read or think our minds can get weak, and if we don’t spend time with the Lord our spiritual life starts to fade. When we are not strong with God it gives Satan an opportunity to lead us astray. Don’t let Satan lead you away! Keep fit in the Lord!

• How is your spiritual diet?
• How often do you spend time with God?
• How can you help others who might have a poor spiritual diet?


Kid’s Prayer Time
There is a lot that we can be thankful for. This week when you pray you can thank the Lord for the examples He has set for you. For showing us His life as a child. And ask Him to help you to live a life that glorifies Him.

Memory Verse
First and Second Grade
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Third Grade and Above
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Luke 2:52