Object: None

What does authority mean? (The one in authority is the one in charge.) Who is your authority? (parents, teachers, etc.) Why do you have to obey them? Our Bible lesson today tells a story of Jesus when he was 12 years old. He had traveled with his family to Jerusalem for a special celebration called the Feast of the Passover. They didn't have cars or trucks to travel in so they walked. They were traveling with many other families who were also going to the celebration. It was customary for the women and children to be at the front of the caravan and the men and older boys at the back. (The Communicator's Commentary - Luke pg. 62). All day long Joseph was probably thinking Jesus was with his mother and she was thinking Jesus was with Joseph. When night came they realized Jesus wasn't with them. How do you think they felt? The next day they returned to Jerusalem. Of course it took all day to get back there. Then they searched and searched. As time went on, they became more and more worried. Finally, they found him in the temple listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Mary and Joseph were so relieved to have found their son. How would your Mom react if she couldn't find you for three days and then finally finds you? The Bible tells us Jesus went home with them and obeyed them. Now we know Jesus was God's Son here on earth. Why do you think he had to obey Joseph and Mary? Jesus was here to teach us how to live. I think he obeyed his parents as an example to each of us. God put us in families with parents. Parents are given the awesome job of teaching their children to live like God wants us to live. Children are to obey and respect their parents. Jesus is our example.

Prayer: Thank you for sending Jesus to teach us how to live. Help us to remember to respect our parents at all times because that is what you want for us. Amen