Story of the Month

The Pre-Teen Problem

told by Don Falkos

© 2009 Donald Falkos Storytelling LLC

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When Jesus was twelve years old, he and his parents went to Jerusalem for Passover, as they did every year. After Passover, they left for home, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, only his parents didn’t know that. They were traveling with a large group of people and they assumed he was somewhere among their entourage. They journeyed for a whole day. Then they started looking for him among friends and relatives. But they couldn’t find him, so they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.

Three days later they found Jesus sitting in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him. They were impressed with his insightful questions and with the depth of understanding he displayed in his answers to their questions. His parents, on the other hand, were not impressed. They were upset.

His mother said, “Well, young man, what do you have to say for yourself? Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you.”

Jesus answered, “Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I would be here, in my Father's house?”

But by then Mary and Joseph were so flustered, they had no idea what he was talking about. They took him and left for home. Jesus went back to Nazareth with his parents and was obedient to them.

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