In the first chapter we learned that the young child Jesus was attacked by the devil from the day He was born (Revelation 12:4). So also Satan is our enemy from the day we are born again, but God is greater (1 John 4:4). God will not allow Satan to ruin His plans for Jesus or for those who trust Him today.
In this chapter we want to see Jesus in His growing up years. What can we learn about His childhood and boyhood as He grew from an infant to a child, from a child to a teenager and from a teenager to a young man? Perhaps this will show us something of how we should grow up as we go from stage to stage, from one year to the next.
The Bible says very little about the years when Jesus was growing up. Most of what we know about Jesus took place during the 3½ years of His public ministry, beginning with His baptism (Luke 3:21-22) and concluding with His death and resurrection (Luke chapters 23 and 24). How old was Jesus when He began His public ministry (Luke 3:23)? ABOUT ___________________
There are two verses in Luke chapter 2 which tell us of Jesus’ GROWING. Let’s look at them carefully:
| LUKE 2:40 | LUKE 2:52 |
| Jesus' growth from an infant to age twelve: | Jesus' growth from age twelve to about thirty years: |
| "And the (young) child ______________ and waxed strong in spirit, being filled with __________________ and the grace (favor) of God was upon Him." | "And Jesus increased (advanced, made progress, pushed forward as a pioneer would cut his way forward through a thick forest or jungle) in ___________________ and stature and in favor with _________ and __________. |
In Luke 2:40 we learn that the young child Jesus not only grew physically (He increased in size and strength) but He also grew in WISDOM (He was continually filling up with wisdom). Can a young child (3 years, 5 years, 7 years, 9 years, 11 years, etc.) grow in wisdom or does he need to wait until he is at least 20? Can you grow in wisdom RIGHT NOW? What is wisdom? Is wisdom being able to multiply 28 by 14? Is wisdom being able to learn facts about history and science? Can a young person get straight "A’s" in school and be UNWISE? Does wisdom have anything to do with God (Proverbs 9:10)?
How old does a person need to be before he (or she) can do right and live right? If boys and girls are old enough to do wrong, are they also old enough to do right? If boys and girls are able to read storybooks, comics and other books, are they also able to read their Bibles? If they are old enough to talk, are they also old enough to pray? Are you old enough to do these things?
Also, we can never say, "God doesn’t know what it is like to grow up with all the struggles and problems that a young person must go through!" God knows just what we go through! He who died on the cross was once a boy Himself and He feels a special interest in boys and girls as well as in grown up people. He had parents like you do (Luke 2:41). He had brothers and sisters like you do (Mark 6:3). He was once the very same age as you are right now!
In Luke 2:52 we learn more about the growth of the Son of man. The following diagram may be helpful:
The Lord Jesus, as He grew up, made steady progress in these four areas of life. What occupation helped Him to grow physically (Mark 6:3)? ________________________ Is it possible for a person to develop mentally but to be immature socially? That is, can a person be very intelligent (know a lot about different things) and yet not relate and get along with other people very well? As God looked at His Son at the end of those thirty years of growth, was He pleased (Luke 3:22)? _______
Even though we are given very little information about Jesus’ growing up years, there is one important fact that we are told. We learn in Luke 2:51 that Jesus was continually S_______________ to His parents. This means that He put Himself under the authority of Joseph and His mother and He was obedient to them. He honored His mother and father. As a boy and as a teen, He did not rebel and disobey. He perfectly obeyed his parents (see Colossians 3:20 and Ephesians 6:1-2). What kind of son or daughter are you?
a. Most of the time obedient and subject to parents.
b. Usually obedient and subject to parents.
c. Sometimes obedient and subject to parents.
d. Rarely obedient and subject to parents.
If you are old enough to disobey, are you also old enough to obey?
How old was the boy Jesus when He went with His family to Jerusalem (Luke 2:42)? ___________________ Jerusalem was about 70 miles from Jesus’ home town of N__________________ (Luke 2:39). When Joseph and Mary started on their return trip, what did Jesus do (Luke 2:43)? __________________________________________ Did His parents know about this? _____ Where did they think He was (Luke 2:44)? How long did it take to find Him (Luke 2:46)? _______________________ Do you think Joseph and His mother were filled with concern during these three days (Luke 2:48)? ______ Where did they finally find Him (Luke 2:46)? ________________________ Was Jesus all worried and concerned (Luke 2:49)? _____
Jesus was in God’s house (the temple) sitting in the middle (midst) of doctors (Luke 2:46) or TEACHERS. These teachers were Jewish men who studied and taught the Old Testament. As Jesus sat there, did He have this attitude, "I’m the Son of God and these teachers are nothing but ignorant men; therefore I am not going to listen to them and I will not ask them any questions because there is nothing I can learn from them" ? _______
Not only did Jesus ask questions, but He also gave A______________ (Luke 2:47) and the teachers were amazed as their student began teaching them! Probably the questions Jesus asked showed so much understanding and wisdom that the teachers began to ask Him questions! Does God desire boys and girls (9,10,11,12 years old) to have understanding and to have answers? Does God want this for you? Do you want answers? Do you ask questions? If not, why not? Does asking questions always mean that you will understand things right away? Each time we think and ask questions and look for answers we see and understand a little more.
When Jesus’ parents found Him, He said to them, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?" When Jesus spoke about "my Father" was He speaking of Joseph? _____ Remember, Joseph was not Jesus’ real [biological] Father (see Luke 1:31,34-36; Matthew 1:18-25), even though he "fathered" Him (raised Him, taught Him, provided for Him, etc.). There are about 40 places in the Gospel of John where Jesus said, "MY FATHER" (for example, John 5:17; 8:28) and in not one of these places was the Lord talking about Joseph! Jesus had a heavenly Father!
Mary and Joseph should have known where Jesus was! He was not lost. He was in the RIGHT PLACE, doing the RIGHT THING!
Where do your parents find you? When they find you, what do they find you doing? Do they find you in the RIGHT PLACE doing the RIGHT THING? Do your parents find you concerned about the things of the heavenly Father? Do they ever find you reading your Bible? Do they ever find you praying? Do they ever find you helping someone in need? Do they ever find you talking to a friend about the Lord? If they were to find you at school, would they find you in the RIGHT PLACE doing the RIGHT THING? Whose BUSINESS will they find you concerned about? Your own business? Your friends’ business? Worldly business? God’s business?
The boy Jesus proved that it is possible for every boy and girl to be in the RIGHT PLACE doing the RIGHT THING. Is this true about you?
Back to ACTION IN THE GOSPELS
Back to SUNDAY SCHOOL MATERIALS & HELPFUL BIBLE
STUDIES
Home Page