Nurturing Faith: The Spiritual Growth of Our Children
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the childhood of Jesus as depicted in Luke Chapter 2, focusing on the spiritual growth and development that should be the aspiration for every child. We began by reflecting on the significance of Jesus' upbringing and the importance of a godly home environment. We emphasized that while Jesus is divine, His growth in wisdom and favor with God occurred within the context of a family dedicated to God's laws and principles.
We discussed the annual journey of Jesus' family to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, highlighting Jesus' experience at the temple at the age of twelve. This event marks a pivotal moment in His life, where He begins His transition from childhood to adulthood, a journey that all our young people undertake. We drew parallels between Jesus' formative years and the training our youth receive today, underscoring the value of our youth program and the dedication of our teachers and volunteers.
I shared the importance of parental involvement in their children's spiritual lives, urging parents to lead by example and to prioritize family devotionals at home. We considered the profound impact of a child's desire to be close to God, encouraging parents to harness this desire to strengthen their own faith.
We also reflected on the role of the church community in nurturing the faith of our young people. I expressed gratitude to those who serve in our children's ministry, recognizing the significance of their contribution to the spiritual development of our youth.
Finally, we contemplated the type of adults we aspire to raise our children to be. We questioned whether our goals for our children align with worldly achievements or with a passionate and faithful Christian life. We concluded by challenging ourselves to diligently teach our children to love God above all else, as instructed in Deuteronomy.
Key Takeaways:
- The spiritual formation of a child is primarily shaped within the home environment. As parents and guardians, it is our responsibility to instill wisdom and the fear of the Lord in our children through consistent and dedicated family devotionals. This practice lays the foundation for a life of faith and obedience to God. [04:40]
- The church plays a crucial role in complementing the spiritual education that begins at home. By engaging in church activities, such as Bible classes and youth programs, children and teenagers can deepen their understanding of Scripture and develop meaningful relationships with their peers and mentors within the faith community. [09:15]
- It is essential to recognize and appreciate the efforts of those who serve in children's ministry. Their dedication to teaching and guiding the younger generation is a vital service to the Lord, and their impact extends far beyond the classroom. [14:17]
- A child's innate desire for God can be a powerful catalyst for spiritual renewal within a family. Parents should embrace and encourage their children's yearning for the Lord, allowing it to inspire and reinvigorate their own commitment to Christ. [18:49]
- Our ultimate goal in raising children should be to nurture passionate and faithful Christians. While worldly achievements have their place, they pale in comparison to the eternal value of a life devoted to God. We must prioritize our children's spiritual growth and model a life that places God at the forefront. [25:54]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 2:39-52 - The childhood of Jesus, His growth in wisdom and favor with God and man.
2. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 - The command to love God and diligently teach His commandments to children.
3. Ephesians 6:1-4 - Instructions for children to obey their parents and for parents to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
#### Observation Questions
1. What annual event did Jesus' family attend, and what significant event happened when Jesus was twelve years old? ([05:18])
2. How did Jesus' parents react when they realized He was missing, and where did they find Him? ([09:50])
3. What activities was Jesus engaged in when His parents found Him in the temple? ([10:27])
4. According to the sermon, what is the primary environment for a child's spiritual upbringing? ([04:40])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus grew in wisdom and favor with God and man? How does this reflect on the importance of a godly home environment? ([03:58])
2. How does the annual journey to Jerusalem for the Passover feast illustrate the importance of religious traditions and practices in a child's spiritual development? ([05:18])
3. What role do parents play in their children's spiritual lives, and how can their involvement impact their children's faith? ([04:40])
4. How does the church community complement the spiritual education that begins at home? ([09:15])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own upbringing. How did your family environment shape your spiritual growth? What practices can you adopt to create a godly home environment for your children? ([04:40])
2. How can you make family devotionals a consistent practice in your home? What challenges might you face, and how can you overcome them? ([04:40])
3. In what ways can you support and appreciate those who serve in children's ministry at your church? How can you get involved in nurturing the faith of the young people in your community? ([14:17])
4. Think about the spiritual traditions and practices in your family. How can you incorporate meaningful religious observances, like the annual journey to Jerusalem for Passover, into your family's routine? ([05:18])
5. How can you encourage your child's innate desire for God and use it as a catalyst for spiritual renewal within your family? Share specific examples or experiences. ([18:49])
6. Evaluate your goals for your children. Do they align more with worldly achievements or with nurturing a passionate and faithful Christian life? What changes can you make to prioritize their spiritual growth? ([25:54])
7. How can you model a life that places God at the forefront for your children? What specific actions can you take this week to demonstrate your commitment to Christ? ([25:54])
Devotional
Day 1: Home as the Foundation of Faith
The spiritual formation of a child begins in the warmth and love of their home. It is within this sacred space that the seeds of wisdom and reverence for the Lord are planted and nurtured. Parents and guardians are the primary cultivators of this spiritual soil, tasked with the responsibility of leading family devotionals with consistency and dedication. These moments of shared faith are not just routine; they are the bedrock upon which a child's life of faith and obedience to God is built. The home becomes a sanctuary where the stories of Scripture take root in young hearts, shaping their understanding of the world and their place in God's plan.
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 ESV
Reflection: How can you incorporate a regular devotional practice into your family's routine to foster spiritual growth at home? [07:40]
Day 2: Church's Role in Spiritual Education
The church stands as a beacon of light, complementing the spiritual education initiated at home. It is within the church's embrace that children and teenagers find a broader community of faith, where Bible classes and youth programs offer a deeper dive into the teachings of Scripture. Here, they are not only learners but also become part of a tapestry of relationships with peers and mentors who share their journey of faith. The church's role is to provide a safe and nurturing environment that encourages exploration, questions, and the development of a personal relationship with God.
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." - Acts 2:42 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you engage more deeply with your church's programs to enhance your family's spiritual learning and growth? [09:15]
Day 3: Valuing Children's Ministry Servants
Those who serve in children's ministry do not merely teach; they sow into the fertile ground of young souls, cultivating a future generation for the Lord. Their dedication and love for guiding the younger generation are acts of service that resonate through time, shaping lives in ways that often go unseen but are deeply felt. The impact of their commitment extends beyond the classroom, into the homes and futures of each child they touch.
"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 19:14 ESV
Reflection: How can you show appreciation and support for those who serve in children's ministry at your church? [14:17]
Day 4: Harnessing a Child's Desire for God
A child's innate longing for the Divine is a powerful force that can transform an entire family. When parents recognize and nurture this desire, it becomes a wellspring of spiritual renewal. Encouraging a child's yearning for the Lord not only strengthens their faith but can also reignite the parents' devotion, creating a cycle of spiritual growth and fervor within the home. This shared journey towards God can become a source of inspiration and a testament to the living faith.
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." - 3 John 1:4 ESV
Reflection: What steps can you take to encourage and support your child's spiritual curiosity and growth? [18:49]
Day 5: Prioritizing Spiritual Growth Over Worldly Success
In a world that often measures success by material standards, the call to raise children who are passionate and faithful Christians stands countercultural. The true measure of success is found not in worldly achievements but in a life devoted to God. As parents and mentors, the goal is to instill in children a love for the Lord that surpasses all else, guiding them to live lives that reflect God's love and purpose.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33 ESV
Reflection: How can you model and teach the value of spiritual growth over worldly success to your children? [25:54]
Quotes
1) "Jesus grew like every Godly parent wants their child to grow and if you have children or grandchildren this is what you want for them. We want them to grow in wisdom not just knowledge... we also want them to grow in the favor of God and that happened with Jesus. The favor of God was upon him and mostly we would have to say that happened at home as Jesus grew up." [03:58]
2) "Parents mostly our kids' spiritual upbringing will be at home. It won't be here because they're mostly at home and home is their primary influence. I want to remind us the value of doing family devotionals at home... if you're not doing family devotionals at home I want to encourage you to do them and if it's awkward do them until it's not." [04:40]
3) "Regarding our classes for our children here Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights... I want to brag on our teachers and those who've helped them... it requires you giving of yourself and it is an act of service. When you have young people they come and they're ready to listen and they're ready to ask questions, we have to have teachers and teachers are a wonderful thing." [13:34]
4) "I want to encourage you parents because oftentimes kids want to go more than parents want to go... make an effort to get up Sunday mornings and come to class and get your kids to class and then you go to class... tell me what's more important than raising your child in the grace and love of God." [15:32]
5) "Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man... God first and that goes all the way back to Deuteronomy... love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your might. Love God first. We want our kids to grow up in favor with God first." [20:51]
6) "Home is the first and most important thing we can do to raise our kids to be passionate and faithful Christians. Home devotionals let our kids have to see our faith at home somehow... if we say God's number one it has to look like he is at home. Fathers, God will hold you primarily responsible." [25:54]
7) "If you've been serving helping our children grow in the knowledge of God thank you because serving with our children may you may feel like that's a thankless job you may feel like no one appreciates it but thank you. Great job. I cannot think of a more important thing you can do than help children grow in the Lord." [27:52]
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