### Lesson Plan: Jesus in the Temple – Toddler Class
**Age Group**: Toddlers (Ages 2-3)
**Duration**: 30 minutes
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**Objective**:
Introduce toddlers to the story of Jesus in the temple. Encourage a basic understanding of listening and talking to God and recognizing church as a special place.
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**Materials**:
- Storybook or visual aids with the story of Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:41-52)
- Simple, durable props (e.g., toy figures for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus; a small structure for the temple)
- Coloring sheets and crayons
- Small musical instruments (e.g., shakers, tambourines)
- Soft play mats or cushions for sitting
- Stickers or small prizes
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**Lesson Outline**:
1. **Welcome and Opening Prayer (5 minutes)**:
- **Activity**: Gather the children and start with a cheerful greeting.
- **Prayer**: Say a simple, short prayer thanking God for the day and for Jesus.
2. **Introductory Activity (5 minutes)**:
- **Song**: Sing a simple song about Jesus, such as "Jesus Loves Me" or a variation suitable for toddlers. Include some hand motions to engage them.
3. **Story Time (10 minutes)**:
- **Storytelling**: Sit the children in a circle on soft mats and use a storybook/visual aids to tell the story of Jesus in the temple. Keep it very simple:
- Explain that when Jesus was a little boy, He went to a big, beautiful temple with His family.
- Describe how Jesus loved to talk about God and learn about Him.
- Explain how Mary and Joseph, His parents, were looking for Him, and they found Him in the temple talking with the teachers.
- **Interactive Props**: Use toy figures to reenact the story. Encourage some toddlers to hold the figures and help act out the story as you tell it.
4. **Discussion and Understanding (5 minutes)**:
- **Questions**: Ask simple questions:
- “Where did Jesus go with His family?” (Encourage the answer, “To the temple.”)
- “Who was in the temple?” (Jesus, His parents, the teachers.)
- “What was Jesus doing?” (Talking about God.)
5. **Activity – Coloring Time (5 minutes)**:
- **Coloring Sheets**: Hand out coloring sheets with a simple picture of Jesus in the temple. Allow the children to color. Circulate and talk to them about the picture and the story as they color.
6. **Closing Activity (5 minutes)**:
- **Song and Musical Instruments**: Sing another simple song about the story, perhaps a variation of "Jesus in the Temple," and let the children play with small musical instruments.
- **Review**: Briefly recap the story, emphasizing Jesus loved being in the temple and talking about God.
7. **Closing Prayer and Goodbyes (2-3 minutes)**:
- **Prayer**: Lead another short, simple prayer thanking God for the story of Jesus.
- **Goodbyes**: Hand out stickers or a small token to each child as they leave.
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**Notes for Teachers**:
- Keep sentences short and use simple language.
- Be very animated and use lots of expression to hold their attention.
- Be patient and flexible, accommodating the needs and attention spans of very young children.
- Reinforce positive behavior and participation with praise and encouragement.
**Optional Extension**:
- If time allows, you can introduce a short activity where children “visit” a pretend church/temple corner in the room, emphasizing it as a special and quiet place.
**Follow-up Activities**:
- Encourage parents to talk about the lesson with their children at home and perhaps read the story to them again from a children’s Bible.
This lesson plan aims to create a memorable and engaging introduction to the story of Jesus in the temple for toddlers.