Saints LightHow Did Jesus Grow Up?
Jesus grew up obeying Mary and Joseph in Nazareth, and when He was baptized, the Father called Him His beloved Son.
Jesus grew up in the town of Nazareth with Mary and Joseph. He learned to walk and talk, to pray the psalms, and to work with wood in Joseph's workshop. The Bible says Jesus grew in wisdom and in size, and in favor with God and people (CCC 531).
Jesus obeyed Mary and Joseph. Think about that: the Son of God helped with chores and listened to His parents! By doing ordinary things with love, Jesus shows us that everyday life at home and at school can be holy too (CCC 532-533).
When Jesus was twelve, His family went to Jerusalem for a feast. On the way home, Mary and Joseph could not find Him. After three days of searching, they found Him in the Temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Jesus said He had to be in His Father's house. Even as a boy, He knew He was the Son of God (CCC 534).
When Jesus was about thirty, He went to the Jordan River, where His cousin John was baptizing people. Jesus had no sin to wash away, but He was baptized anyway, to stand with us sinners and to begin His work (CCC 535-536).
As Jesus came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove, and the Father's voice said: This is my beloved Son. The whole Trinity was there! At your own Baptism, God called you His beloved child too.
Key points
- Jesus grew up in Nazareth and obeyed Mary and Joseph.
- Ordinary things done with love can be holy.
- At Jesus' baptism the Father spoke and the Spirit came like a dove.
The Word of God
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 531
- CCC 532-533
- CCC 534
- CCC 535-536
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Live it this week
Do one chore each day this week without being asked, and offer it to God the way Jesus did in Nazareth. Ask your parents to tell you the story of your own Baptism.
Check yourself: three questions
1. Where did Jesus grow up?
- Rome
- Egypt
- Nazareth
- Bethlehem
Show the answer
Nazareth. Jesus was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth with Mary and Joseph.
2. Why was Jesus baptized if He had no sin?
- To stand with us and begin His work
- Because He was dirty
- Because John made Him
- To learn how to swim
Show the answer
To stand with us and begin His work. Jesus chose to stand with sinners and begin His mission, even though He had no sin.
3. What came down on Jesus at His baptism?
- Fire from the sky
- The Holy Spirit like a dove
- A golden crown
- A big rainbow
Show the answer
The Holy Spirit like a dove. The Spirit came down like a dove, and the Father said: This is my beloved Son.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The children will know that Jesus grew up in an ordinary family, obeyed His parents, and was baptized, and will see that their own ordinary days can be holy.
Opener. Ask: "What do you think Jesus was like when He was your age? What chores might He have done?" Let them imagine for a few minutes.
Discussion questions
- Why would the Son of God obey Mary and Joseph? [Out of love, and to show us how to live in a family.]
- How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when they could not find Jesus? [Very worried. Jesus loved them, and He went home and obeyed them.]
- What did the Father say at Jesus' baptism? [This is my beloved Son. At our Baptism, God calls us His beloved children too.]
- Which ordinary thing could you do with extra love this week? [Making a bed, helping a sibling, doing homework well.]
Activity. Baptism dove: children trace and cut out a paper dove. On one wing they write "This is my beloved Son" and on the other "(their name), beloved child of God". Then play Nazareth charades: children act out everyday jobs Jesus might have done (sweeping, carrying water, sawing wood, helping Mary cook) while the others guess.
Closing prayer. Jesus, You grew up in a family just like us. Help us obey our parents, do our chores with love and grow in wisdom like You. Thank You for calling us Your beloved children. Amen.
Timing. Welcome and Sign of the Cross 5 min, "Jesus at my age" opener 5 min, read the lesson aloud 10 min, discussion 10 min, dove and charades 15 min, memory verse 5 min, quiz together 5 min, closing prayer 5 min.
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