The Missing Years of Jesus

Film Focus: This National Geographic film attempts to connect the Gospel stories of Jesus’ early years with other typical happenings of first century Galilee, including from the perspective of his Jewish faith.

Text Focus: 55–62

Discussion Questions:

1. How was Jesus’ young life much like that of most other young Jewish men?
2. What kind of skills would Jesus have possessed?
3. What kind of education did Jesus receive?
4. Why might Jesus have had a second occupation beyond carpentry? What was it?
5. What are some discrepancies between the information in this video and the Catholic understanding of Jesus’ early years?

*Permission to link to this video for use in the classroom as part of the accompanying lesson has been granted by the producer.