S) "And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."
Luke 2:52 (NASB)
O) This part of the story starts with Jesus being 12, going to Jerusalem for the first time, and going to the temple and discussing and debating with the teachers and adults there. This verse shows Jesus being blessed in four ways: Physically, mentally, spiritually, and relationally; respectively. the one that really stood out to me was the last one, "among men." Also, how it appears to have come about (or at least how it was manifested, with the temple story).
A) As a parent, I want my children to grow up into God-fearing adults who understand what it means to love and serve The LORD. To do that, becoming Christ-like is literally vital. In the NT, though, most of the life of Jesus we see is the 3 and a half years of His ministry. So, my job in parenting, and trying to shape my kids to be like Jesus, can be hard. But, this is a great outline for how it should go, or what the goals will be. So, physically, I need to nurture them. Mentally, I need to teach them. Spiritually, the growth is in the favor of The Lord, so I pray for that. Relationally, though, that's the one that stood out the most here. As my kids get a little older (closer to 12 and older), I need to begin surrounding them with other adults who know what it means to be righteous. I need to put other examples of godliness before my kids, show them other healthy marriages, show them what it means to study Scripture, what it means to worship, etc.
P) Father, may your favor be on all of my kids individually, and collectively. Please bless our efforts as a parent to raise my kids with healthy lifestyles for their bodies, and our efforts to teach our kids, especially through homeschooling. Lastly, give us wisdom to know how, when, and with whom to surround our kids. As they grow through their childhood, please let them become more Christ-like. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) As a parent, I want my children to grow up into God-fearing adults who understand what it means to love and serve The LORD. To do that, becoming Christ-like is literally vital. In the NT, though, most of the life of Jesus we see is the 3 and a half years of His ministry. So, my job in parenting, and trying to shape my kids to be like Jesus, can be hard. But, this is a great outline for how it should go, or what the goals will be. So, physically, I need to nurture them. Mentally, I need to teach them. Spiritually, the growth is in the favor of The Lord, so I pray for that. Relationally, though, that's the one that stood out the most here. As my kids get a little older (closer to 12 and older), I need to begin surrounding them with other adults who know what it means to be righteous. I need to put other examples of godliness before my kids, show them other healthy marriages, show them what it means to study Scripture, what it means to worship, etc.
P) Father, may your favor be on all of my kids individually, and collectively. Please bless our efforts as a parent to raise my kids with healthy lifestyles for their bodies, and our efforts to teach our kids, especially through homeschooling. Lastly, give us wisdom to know how, when, and with whom to surround our kids. As they grow through their childhood, please let them become more Christ-like. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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