Focus Passage: Luke 2:39-52
In our culture growth usually implies learning facts and passing tests. So let’s do a typical growth activity and see if you can guess who this famous person is. He was born on Feb. 12, 1809 and was assassinated on Good Friday 1865. He was born in Kentucky and was 6 ft. 4 inches tall. Finally, he was president during the civil war. You guessed it. It was Abraham Lincoln. Now I know a lot about him yet, I would never say that I know how the man thinks or what he would do in a situation. The Bible is about growing in your relationship to the Lord, not just learning facts. You can marshal all the facts you want to about God and the Bible, but it won’t change a thing if you don’t know Him. When we talk about spiritual growth, it is not Bible knowledge that we seek. It is growing in our relationship with the Lord. Growth comes when we know and are known by God.
Make time with Him a habit v.41 The text says that every year Mary and Joseph went up for the Passover. Can you imagine how hard it was to make the 70 mile journey with kids in tow on foot? Sure you do, many of you travel hundreds of miles to be with family. There is sacrifice in such a trip, but you make a habit of it. You want to be with your parents on that special day. Ironically, our relationship with the Lord often starts with a habit. Parents bring their children to church every Sunday till they don’t feel like it is Sunday if they are not in church. It is the start of a relationship with the Lord.
Spend extended time with Him v.43 Passover was a week-long celebration, but that was not enough time for Jesus. Mom and Dad went home and Jesus decided to stay for a couple more days. He wanted more time with the Father. Even as an adult, Jesus would go up into the hills for hours to pray to the Father. Faith grows as you spend time with the Lord in bible study and prayer. It is getting close to His heart and feeling His pulse. The more time you spend with the Lord, the more comfortable you are with Him.
Dialogue with Him v.46 When his parents find Him, He is asking questions and dialoguing with God and with others. Shouldn’t He be giving the lecture? No, the man Jesus had to have His relationship with the Father grow. Their relationship had changed. He knew what it was to be God. What was it like to be Savior? God wants us to dialogue with Him. He wants us to find out what your role in God’s great plan is to be. See how the Lord has gifted you and given you opportunities. This is the time when we apply what we have learned and let Him change our lives.
Others will notice that you have changed. Anyone in Jesus’ day could spout back rehearsed answers or quote established ideas. Yet, here was a 12 year old actually talking like he knew God and knew what God would do in a given situation. God’s will and wisdom stand out in anyone who has spent the time to let the Lord teach them. You may think that such understanding can’t happen for you, but God wants you to know Him and the Holy Spirit can teach anyone. People will show you respect because you live the character and values of God. God’s character wipes off on those who spend time with Him. Just remember that spiritual growth isn’t about facts, it is about relationships. Those who have a relationship with the Lord will find that the Lord will mentor and teach them all through their life.
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