Passage to study: Luke
2:21-52.
To read with the class: Luke 2:21-30, 41-52.
Memorization text: Luke 2:40.
OBJECTIVES:
1. To show how Mary and Joseph were careful and asiduous keepers of the law of Moses.
2. To consider the significance of the prophecies uttered by Simeon on the steps of the
Temple about Jesus.
3. To explain the meaning of Simeon's prophesies and show their fulfillment.
4. To consider the early evidence of the Deity of the Lord Jesus when He instructed older
men in the Temple.
5. To consider the exemplary willing obedience of the Lord Jesus as a child being
submissive to Mary and Joseph.
SCENE: No. 1. In the temple.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the priest so that he can perform the rite of
circumcision on the eighth day as the law required.
Cns. It was most important they be careful to observe this rite since it forms part of
what God required. Nothing was left undone so that years later no one could say that
something was missing in what had to do with the Lord Jesus. Gal. 4:4.
- On the day of his circumcision, the name of the child was registered officially: Jesus.
Apl. Months have passed since Joseph and Mary were instructed as to the name they were to
give the child that would be born. There was no change of mind on their part, only
obedience.
- When the time arrives for the purification rites to be carried out, Mary and
Joseph go to the temple to fulfill the law.
- This was to take place on the fortieth day after birth. When a boy was born, forty
days were required, and when it was a girl, eighty days, according to the law of Moses.
Cmt. Joseph and Mary were prompt in putting Moses’ law into effect.
Apl. Parents ought to be concerned, not only about the education, clothing and
feeding of their children but also to carry out what God requires and teach their children
His truths.
Cns. This spiritual concern of Joseph and Mary dated from the time when the angel
announced to them that Jesus would be born.
- The Lord Jesus is carried into the temple and there they are met by Simeon and Anna.
- Simeon makes a prophecy about the child while Anna goes away to make known to all that
the Redeemer has come.
- Joseph and Mary’s fear of God is noteworthy as they carry out all that is required
by the law.
- That they are poor is evident in the offering they bring. See the provisions in
Lev. 12:8
- Offerings were required due to the need that sinful creatures have to draw near to God.
SCENE No. 2. (Part 1) Mary and Joseph standing on the steps of the Temple with Simeon.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
(Simeon’s words here are in capitals, and each phrase could be written out for the
children to see. If figures can be found to illustrate what is being said, the lesson will
be understood more quickly.)
Cmt. The teacher should take up each of Simeon’s statements for they contain
important and interesting teaching as well revealing the knowledge he had of divine
things.
LORD, NOW LETTEST THOU THY SERVANT DEPART IN PEACE
<<A figure of an older man who represents Simeon>>
Cmt. Simeon would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. In other words
he was saying, “I am now ready to die.”
Apl. No one is ready to die until he/she has known Christ as Lord and Saviour.
ACCORDING TO THY WORD
<<A figure of a Bible to represent the Word of God>>
Cmt. Simeon does not base his declaration on his own feelings, but on what God had
revealed to him.
Cns. The teacher should stress that the hope held by one who has trusted Christ is based
on truth revealed by God in the Bible.
Sug. Nowadays there are those who speak of relativism, the theory held by people who say,
“if something is truth to you, that’s fine; if the opposite is truth to me, that
is fine as well.”
Those who hold this idea believe that there is no absolute truth. We who are
Christians know that absolute truth is to be found in the Bible.
FOR MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THY SALVATION.
<<A figure of eyes superimposed on a heart>>
- His physical eyes had seen Jesus, the Saviour, and his heart had understood. While his
physical eyes saw Jesus, his heart also saw and believed.
- “Thy Salvation” is a name that belongs to Christ Jesus. The words
are addressed to God.
Apl. Faith is exercised in the heart.
WHICH THOU HAST PREPARED BEFORE THE FACE OF ALL PEOPLE.
<<A figure of a group of people, and if from different ethnic origins, all the
better>>
- His salvation was not only for Israel but also for the whole world, looking ahead into
the future.
A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES
<<An additional figure of a light used with the foregoing showing the multitude
being illuminated>>
- Through the Son of God, the Gentiles are enlightened as to God’s love for them.
AND GLORY OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL
<<A map of Israel, perhaps with Jerusalem included to indicate the site of future
glory>>
The restoration of Israel is intimately united with the glorification of the Lord Jesus,
their Messiah.
Cmt. If young people are acquainted with the Middle Eastern problems, mention could
be made of those existing between Israel and the Arab world today.
SCENE No. 2. (Part 2). Mary and Joseph still on the steps of the Temple with Simeon.
- Joseph and Mary are amazed at what Simeon is saying.
- His prophecy about Mary shows that she was going to be present at the crucifixion.
“(He) said unto Mary, his mother” Simeon did not address Joseph.
Cns. The following quotes directed to Mary were fulfilled some thirty-three years later.
At the time they were spoken, she
would not know how much time would pass before the event prophesied would take place.
Cmt. Some believe that Joseph was no longer living at the time of the crucifixion.
BEHOLD THIS CHILD IS SET FOR THE FALL AND RISING AGAIN OF MANY IN ISRAEL.
<<Six figures to represent three people who “fell” and three who were
“lifted”>>
- The rich young ruler, Judas Iscariot, and the unrepentant thief were some of those
who “fell”.
- Zaccheus, Paul, and the Samaritan woman were raised up because of their relationship
with Christ.
Cns. The attitude of the sinner toward the Lord Jesus determines his eternal destiny.
Some were set free for heaven, others were left for judgement in the lake of fire.
FOR A SIGN WHICH SHALL BE SPOKEN AGAINST.
<<Figure showing Calvary>>
- At the crucifixion, the Lord was a “sign ... spoken against”.
- Mary was present when Jesus did miracles among the people, after beginning His public
ministry.
Ex. One occasion when the Lord was spoken against occurred when people attributed
his miraculous power to Beelzebub. Matt. 12:24.
- Mary herself was involved in error when, together with His half-brothers, they said He
was “beside Himself”. Mar.3:20, and 31-35.
YEA, A SWORD SHALL PIERCE THROUGH THINE OWN SOUL ALSO.
<<A figure of a sword>>
This was an indication of how Mary was going to feel upon seeing Jesus crucified.
THAT THE THOUGHTS OF MANY HEARTS MAY BE REVEALED
<<Figures with which you might identify the different people mentioned below>>
Apl. At the cross, the thoughts of different people were revealed.
1) The religious leaders; 2) the dying thief; 3) the ordinary people; 4)
the disciples, 5) Pontius Pilate, and 6) Pilate’s wife, etc.
- The words spoken by Simeon, the prophet, are significant, since Jesus was only a child
and His future sufferings were being spoken of as well as the attitude of the people.
SCENE No. 3. Jesus as a child in the Temple.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- The parents continued faithful in fulfilling the law of Moses.
Note, “every year” v.41.
- Jesus has grown and not only asks questions but also answers them. v.46.
- Perhaps the doctors of the law considered Jesus to be no more than a young prodigy, not
realising the He was God come in flesh.
- Of course, he was expert in the Scriptures and they could not trip Him up nor find any
mistake in His words.
Cmt. “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and
man” v.52, indicates that He followed the normal pattern of human development.
Sug. Christ, being the Son of God, was always in contact with His Father. He spoke
from the Scriptures, which made the hearers responsible for what they heard. This
was the “father’s business”
Apl. When one knows God, one is to be found in the things of the Father (vs.49),
occupied in the Father’s business.
Lsn. Since Christ Jesus, a perfect being, was obedient and submissive to Mary and
Joseph, He makes a lovely example for all children. v.51.
Lsn. It is well to stress that despite being wiser, more powerful and greater in every
respect compared to His parents, Jesus was obedient to them. Apply this lesson to
the students.
SCENE No. 4
REVIEW OF THE LESSON:
<<Four figures of the Lord Jesus as a baby, a 12-year-old, an apprentice in a
carpenter’s shop and an adult, teaching>>
- Jesus grew up around a carpenter’s shop.
- During the different stages of His childhood and youth, the Lord was always obedient and
submissive.
- When Jesus was baptized, the Father declared His pleasure speaking from heaven
declaring that He never did anything wrong.
Sug. Encourage the children to please their parents.
- The world has replaced Christian principles with attitudes of rebellion and exaggerated
self esteem. |
