The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ
Nov. 16, 2005 at 9:02 AM
Homeschooling
The tragic news of the last few days has made it all the more clear why it is so necessary for parents to train their children in wisdom and keep their hearts. From the early news reports it is clear that Kara Borden did not accept her parents decision in regards to the companion she had chosen. In the end the parents turned out to be right. I'm sure Kara sees that now but sadly a few days too late to honor their decision.
The teenage years can be difficult. Our young people are transitioning from youth to adulthood. But does it have to be turbulent? I"m not an expert on that. My job as a parent is not yet done. The fruit of our labor has yet to be determined. I am encouraged by the early signs we have seen. But until my children are walking faithfully with God by their own choosing I wait and pray.
There is one resource that I have found helpful as we parent our teens. It is a small book by Jerry L. Ross called The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ. This book outlines what Jesus might have done during his "teenage years" based on the scripture from Luke 2:52 51-52
It was a challenging book for me to read as an adult. We have also had our three oldest to read it. They have all found the book thought provoking. It isn't always easy to confront the interests that we have and examine if they are the best things for us. The culture wants to distract and entice our children with many attractive choices. Many things appear to be beneficial but if they take our heart away from our God and our first priorites are they really beneficial?
The book is wrtiten to the young adult specifically. He does, however, addresss the parents as well. Here's a quote from Chapter 10 A Brief Word to Parents,
Throughout the book he does not promote a "method" or a "pattern" to follow except the life of Christ. Nor does he claim that this book will guarantee anything. But he believes that when a young person examines how Jesus walked with his parents the teenager will be challenged to examine his own walk with the Lord and his parents. We have found this book to be a very helpful in that examination process.
The teenage years can be difficult. Our young people are transitioning from youth to adulthood. But does it have to be turbulent? I"m not an expert on that. My job as a parent is not yet done. The fruit of our labor has yet to be determined. I am encouraged by the early signs we have seen. But until my children are walking faithfully with God by their own choosing I wait and pray.
There is one resource that I have found helpful as we parent our teens. It is a small book by Jerry L. Ross called The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ. This book outlines what Jesus might have done during his "teenage years" based on the scripture from Luke 2:52 51-52
Then he (Jesus) went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."The author takes that scripture and breaks it down into what each means and encourages young people to examine their priorities in light of these scriptures. He does not provide a "legalsitic" set of must do's for the Christian. But he does examine key areas of our lives and how we behave. For example, he identifies maturity as putting away three "childish things". This affects three key areas - speech, understanding, and thinking.
It was a challenging book for me to read as an adult. We have also had our three oldest to read it. They have all found the book thought provoking. It isn't always easy to confront the interests that we have and examine if they are the best things for us. The culture wants to distract and entice our children with many attractive choices. Many things appear to be beneficial but if they take our heart away from our God and our first priorites are they really beneficial?
The book is wrtiten to the young adult specifically. He does, however, addresss the parents as well. Here's a quote from Chapter 10 A Brief Word to Parents,
Our job as parents is to do everything possible to see to it that our children's hearts and minds are molded to the image of Christ. This is the ultimate goal and the ultimate challenge. To choose any other pattern, even that of ourselves, is to rob our children of some of what they could one day become.Mr. Ross exhorts parents and chilren both to study the scriptures and the life of Jesus. Jesus grew in wisdom. He exhorts the us to do the same, "
The world by her wisdom chooses to exclude God. Anything that labels itself as wisdom and ignores the teachings of the Word of God is not wisdom. It is counterfeit.He discusses that wsdom begins with the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 9:10) He then contrasts that with the characteristics of a fool drawing mainly from Proverbs. It is enlightening and very convicting.
Throughout the book he does not promote a "method" or a "pattern" to follow except the life of Christ. Nor does he claim that this book will guarantee anything. But he believes that when a young person examines how Jesus walked with his parents the teenager will be challenged to examine his own walk with the Lord and his parents. We have found this book to be a very helpful in that examination process.
Related posts:
Spunky Jr. recently posted about Respecting parents.
In a related story, Nanette let me know about a disaster that was diverted today at a private Christian school in North Carolina. Two students were arrested for plot to kill classmates.
People are wondering how two apparently good kids went bad. "(They were)It is becoming more and more apparent, knowledge isn't enough. Wisdom is what we need to teach our children.
from good homes, were doing well academically," said Dr. Ron Allen, the church's pastor.
4 Comments and Trackbacks
posted by Momma2theMax on Nov. 16, 2005 at 3:30 PM
wisdom
n 1: accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment 2: the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight [syn: wiseness] [ant: folly] 3: ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight [syn: sapience] 4: the quality of being prudent and sensible [syn: wiseness, soundness] 5: an Apocryphal book consisting mainly of a meditation on wisdom; although ascribed to Solomon it was probably written in the first century BC [syn: Wisdom of Solomon, Wisdom]
While I prefer the second definition to the first, I truly believe that while I put myself and my parents through what could be characterized as a turbulent adolescence, I never really lost sight of the core of logic and common sense that my parents instilled in me from a young age. This wisdom (while I was making unwise core choices kept me from making all the poor choices that I could have....well the wisdom and God's mercy and providence) can be instilled in children.... Also, I think it is important to note, that allowing children to understand your logic when making a choice for them (such as when they can date and whom....and who their friends are...and where they spend thier time)...not just by saying "becasue I said so" and explaining that we are not just being "mean" or trying to wreck their fun, but that WE are ultimately accountable (as are they) for the choices they make as they live under our roof's and protection (and pocketbook), and to teach that God doesn't say no to those things to wreck our fun either...God says those things because at the core of them alll they will not only make us "un-fit" to be in his presence because of his inability to look on sin....but also because these choices ultimately HURT us(physically, emotionally,financially, etc.) ....and those around us as well as our witness for Christ....and give examples from LIFE that show how these choices cause others pain and trouble even though the inital sin is one that "seems harmless" and "fun" at the time. Also by teaching our kids these things (logic, common sense, and why we choose the ways that we do) we should allow them to make small choices from the time they are young and FULLY reap the consequences of those choices while they are still "resilient." The worst thing that we can do as parents is to shield our children from the consequences of their choices, I am married to one such indivdual who was never allowed to make his own choices nor taught how to make good choices, or to reap their consequences. It has been a long hard road in patience for me and learning for him. Please allow your kids to make choices! and let them get hurt by those choices because you never know who their later choices might affect.
that's my $.02
posted by Spunky on Nov. 16, 2005 at 3:49 PM
I like the Webster's 1828 dictionary definition of wisdom, 1. properly having knowledge hence having the power of discerning and judging correctly or of discriminating between what is true and what is false; between what is fit and proper, and what is improper. 2. Discrete and judicious in the use or application of knowledge.
When our children have a fear of the Lord they are able to learn wisdom. It cannot come any other way. So while I agree that it is good to allow children to make choices. Choices do not of themselves impart wisdom. The liberty must be given as they have demonstrated a love and fear for God. Because the idea that they have choices in and of itself can be a difficult idea to contend with as they get older. Especially as their choices can lead to consequences that could be harmful to themselves, their family, and others. So I believe a parent must be careful in how what they give their child liberty to make choices in. In our home that is given as they demonstrate the maturity to handle those choices not just because they arrive at a certain age.
Once a child demonstrates that they want to love and honor God helping them make wise choices is actually a whole lot easier. For we can together look to the scriptures for what is true and right and a proper choice. Then at that point they are not disagreeing with the parent but with their own determination of what the scriptures say. At that point the are free to disobey the scriptures as we all are but it remvoes the parent from being the source of the conflict and allows the child to wrestle with their own faith and the Lord.
Edited by spunkyhomeschool on Nov. 16, 2005 at 1:13 PM
posted by Momma2theMax on Nov. 16, 2005 at 3:55 PM
i agree completely :)
posted by Scarty on Nov. 16, 2005 at 4:30 PM
I can relate to this situation, as we are struggling with two of our teenagers who have decided that the things that the world offers are more important than what God wants for them. It is a heartbreaking thing to see happen, and it affects everyone in our home. I keep praying that God will help them wake up and see the light before they become involved in something they will regret or cannot change before it is too late. All I can do is pray, love them (which includes setting boundaries), and Give it to HIM.
On a side note, thank you so much for commenting on my blog today Spunky. I really enjoy writing, and it is sparking something in me that I have not had for a long time. But I also want to make sure that what I write about is of value to someone. Up until now I have been rambling a bit..but I have some serious ideas that I cannot wait to start exploring and blogging about. Thanks for the inspiration and the "way to go" ...