02/01/2026
Jesus in the Synagogue – Luke 4:14-30
(Lesson excerpt from Celebrate Wonder Winter Session 8.)
Prepare to Wonder
Synagogues are places of worship for Jewish people. In Jesus’ time, Jewish people gathered together in the synagogue for worship and for teaching the Scriptures and the law. After Jesus’ baptism and his experience being tempted in the wilderness, Jesus began to teach in the synagogues. The Bible tells us it was Jesus’ custom to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Jesus’ visit to the synagogue in Nazareth is significant for two reasons: because Nazareth was his hometown and because of the Scripture Jesus read that day.
During worship in a Jewish synagogue at that time, there were usually several readers. Each would read a part of Scripture and then preach on the text. The Bible tells us Jesus stood to read from the scroll and then sat down to teach. This was the customary practice at the time. Jesus read a passage that essentially announced what his ministry was to be about: bringing good news to the poor, proclaiming release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind. It could be said that Jesus was reading his mission statement.
The last part of the story is more difficult to understand. The crowd in the synagogue turns on Jesus. In verse 22, we are told they are amazed at the words that he spoke. In verse 29, they are attempting to hurl him off a cliff! It has been speculated that the crowd became upset when Jesus insisted his message was for everyone. The people of Nazareth may have wanted Jesus to spend extra time in Nazareth and were upset when this was not Jesus’ plan.
This month we are talking about stories from Jesus’ life. Our story today is about Jesus being in the synagogue. It was like the church where we come to worship and learn about God. Turn to Luke in your bible and read together chapter 4 verses 14 through 30.
After reading, complete reproducible 8A (preschool), 8B (young elementary), or 8C (older elementary).
Wonder together
How do you think Jesus felt when he walked into the synagogue?
What do you think it was like for the people to see someone they knew stand up and read scripture?
Why do you think Jesus read this scripture?
What does it mean to be faithful?
Why do you think the same words made the people amazed and then angry?
What do you think the people hoped Jesus would do for them?
How can we share good news in our church or community?
How might God be inviting us to love in a bigger way than we expected?
Spiritual Practice
Spiritual practice is something we do to help us connect to God. This month we are learning about journey, following where God leads us. We are hearing stories about Jesus’ journey. Today Jesus goes to the synagogue to worship God. Take a prayer walk around your house. As you walk, notice the things around you that remind you of your community. Pray to God about what you see. If you notice something you’d like to share, tell your family what stands out to you.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for spaces where we can feel Your presence and worship You. Bless us to feel you near as we journey through our day today. Amen.
