Bible Study – Fourth Sunday After Epiphany “Jesus Is Presented in the Temple”
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
Epiphany: Shimmering glimpses of the abundance of the Kingdom of God. Perhaps we, too, noticed a star and followed it. Or maybe someone led us to the gift of faith. Now we take the Light – the Good News – out into the world. Will others see the light shimmering in us? Will they risk taking a journey into faith with us?
Family is a gift from God. Think about how unique the gift of family is.
- What unique contribution do you bring to your family?
- How do you show gratitude for the gifts of your family?
- What are your favorite family events or gatherings?
We honor God’s gift of family when we follow the fourth commandment to “Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you”. Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16.
Today we celebrate Jesus being presented in the Temple and his encounters with two people, Simeon and Anna. In Jesus’ time, every first born son was publicly presented in the temple. When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple today, they had a surprise waiting for them.
Do you know of any traditions or ideas that have been handed down from generation to generation? What tradition is important to you?
Opening Prayer: Almighty God, we humbly pray that, as Jesus was presented in the temple on this day, may we also come to you with pure and clean hearts. Amen
Please open your Bibles to Luke 2:22-40 and read or read the scriptures below.
Luke2: 22-40
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a]), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[b]
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[d] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
Reflection Questions:
- What do you think it was like for Mary and Joseph to come into the temple to present their son?
- How shocked do you think they were when Simeon took Jesus in his arms and began to sing praises?
- What do you think Simeon felt like?
- Simeon had been waiting for the Messiah for so long. What do you think the moment was like for him to hold the Messiah?
- If you were Mary and Joseph, how would you respond to Simeon?
- How do you think Anna’s words of praise were taken?
- In Simeon’s song, he praises Jesus as the light of the world. How do you see Jesus shining in the world?
Click her for the young learner’s lesson
Videos (Click on the words or url)
The Gospel Luke 2:22-40 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FpiR-lcc9o
Gospel of Luke Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIb_dCIxzr0
Song: My God Is So Big - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V41_nlfRWBA or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUp0xJURIv8
Activities
Candle supplies: white taper candle, alcohol wipes, acrylic paint, paint brushes, wet wipes, paper towels, ribbons, stickers, and other decorating supplies. Clean each candle with an alcohol wipe.
Candle Creation: supplies you need are white taper candle, alcohol wipes, acrylic paint, paint brushes, wet wipes, paper towels, ribbons, stickers, and other decorating supplies. Clean each candle with an alcohol wipe.
Jesus is a light that shines in all of our lives. To remind us of that Jesus is a light to us all, you are going to create a candle today. Before you begin, think about some of the symbols or things that remind us of Jesus. (such as: the cross, a light, a star, etc.) Once you have some ideas, start decorating your candle. You can paint on them, put stickers on them, and add ribbons to them.
Promise Star: you need 5 craft sticks and markers. Lightly color one side of each stick. Then glue the middle of the sticks together on top of each other to form a star. Before gluing the sticks together, write a promise on each of all the craft sticks for promises that you would like to keep.
Simeon Recognizes Jesus - Crossword: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/simeon-recognizes-jesus-3
Simeon Recognizes Jesus – Decoder: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/simeon-recognizes-jesus-9
Simeon Recognizes Jesus - Word Search: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/simeon-recognizes-jesus-7
Prayer: God our Father, source of all light, today you revealed to the aged Simeon your light which enlightens the nations. Fill our hearts with the light of faith, that we who bear these candles may walk in the path of goodness, and come to the Light that shines forever, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
