Divine Prescient (or Amber Alert)[1]

Open It

1.       When have you accidentally left someone behind during a trip or activity?

2.      If you had to get lost, would you rather it be in a city or a wilderness? Why?

3.      What do you find most characteristic of young adolescents?

Explore It

4.      Why did Jesus’ parents go to Jerusalem every year? (2:41)

5.      How did Jesus get left behind in Jerusalem? (2:43-44)

6.      Why did three days pass before Mary and Joseph found Jesus? (2:46)

7.      What was Jesus doing during the three days that He was on His own? (2:46)

8.     What were the effects of Jesus’ questions and answers on the teachers in Jerusalem? (2:46-47)

9.     How did Mary respond when she and Joseph finally found Jesus? (2:48)

10.   What was Jesus’ response to His parents’ frantic arrival? (2:49)

11.    How did Jesus answer His parents’ concern for Him? (2:49)

12.   After replying to His parents, what did Jesus do? (2:51)

13.   What do we learn about Mary through this incident? (2:41, 48, 50-51)

14.   What happened to Jesus as He grew? (2:52)

Get It

15.   What would you have wanted to ask Jesus had you been around during those three days in the temple?

16.   What kind of pattern or model were Mary and Joseph setting for Jesus by their family traditions?

17.   How often do children carry on the habits and beliefs that really are significant to their parents?

18.   What happens when parents try to pass on to their children beliefs or habits which they do not have themselves?

19.   How does this story illustrate the tension Jesus may have felt between obedience to His Father and obedience to His earthly parents?

20.  In what way should we strive to grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and others?

21.   How did Jesus demonstrate His uniqueness as the Son of God?

Apply It

22.   Of the four ways in which Jesus grew (in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, in favor with man) which one needs the most work in your life?

23.   What difference might it make to you this week if you prepared for church as if it were a visit to your Father’s house?

Notes for 2:41,42: According to God's law, every male was required to go to Jerusalem three times a year for the great festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). In the spring, the Passover was celebrated, followed immediately by the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread. Passover commemorated the night of the Jews' escape from Egypt when God had killed the Egyptian firstborn but had passed over Israelite homes (see Exodus 12:21-36). Passover was the most important of the three annual festivals.

Notes for 2:43-45:At age 12, Jesus was considered almost an adult, and so he didn't spend a lot of time with his parents during the feast. Those who attended these feasts often traveled in caravans for protection from robbers along the Palestine roads. It was customary for the women and children to travel at the front of the caravan, with the men bringing up the rear. A 12-year-old boy conceivably could have been in either group, and both Mary and Joseph assumed Jesus was with the other one. But when the caravan left Jerusalem, Jesus stayed behind, absorbed in his discussion with the religious leaders.

Notes for 2:46,47: The temple courts were famous throughout Judea as a place of learning. The apostle Paul studied in Jerusalem, perhaps in the temple courts, under Gamaliel, one of its foremost teachers (Acts 22:3). At the time of the Passover, the greatest rabbis of the land would assemble to teach and to discuss great truths among themselves. The coming Messiah would no doubt have been a popular discussion topic, for everyone was expecting him soon. Jesus would have been eager to listen and to ask probing questions. It was not his youth, but the depth of his wisdom, that astounded these teachers.

Notes for 2:48: Mary had to let go of her child and let him become a man, God's Son, the Messiah. Fearful that she hadn't been careful enough with this God-given child, she searched frantically for him. But she was looking for a boy, not the young man who was in the temple astounding the religious leaders with his questions. It is hard to let go of people or projects we have nurtured. It is both sweet and painful to see our children as adults, our students as teachers, our subordinates as managers, our inspirations as institutions. But when the time comes to step back and let go, we must do so in spite of the hurt. Then our protgss can exercise their wings, take flight, and soar to the heights God intended for them.

Notes for 2:49,50: This is the first mention of Jesus' awareness that he was God's Son. But even though he knew his real Father, he did not reject his earthly parents. He went back to Nazareth with them and lived under their authority for another 18 years. God's people do not despise human relationships or family responsibilities. If the Son of God obeyed his human parents, how much more should we honor our family members! Don't use commitment to God's work to justify neglecting your family.

 Notes for 2:50: Jesus' parents didn't understand what he meant about his Father's house. They didn't realize he was making a distinction between his earthly father and his heavenly Father. Jesus knew that he had a unique relationship with God. Although Mary and Joseph knew he was God's Son, they didn't understand what his mission would involve. Besides, they had to raise him, along with his brothers and sisters (Matthew 13:55,56), as a normal child. They knew he was unique, but they did not know what was going on in his mind.

Notes for 2:52: The Bible does not record any events of the next 18 years of Jesus' life, but Jesus undoubtedly was learning and maturing. As the oldest in a large family, he assisted Joseph in his carpentry work. Joseph may have died during this time, leaving Jesus to provide for the family. The normal routines of daily life gave Jesus a solid understanding of the Judean people.

2:52: The second chapter of Luke shows us that although Jesus was unique, he had a normal childhood and adolescence. In terms of development, he went through the same progression we do. He grew physically and mentally, he related to other people, and he was loved by God. A full human life is not unbalanced. It was important to Jesus — and it should be important to all believers — to develop fully and harmoniously in each of these key areas: physical, mental, social, and spiritual.