Mary Worry Read Luke 2: 41-52 Early church had little interest in the boyhood of Jesus No traditions passed down Many imaginative stories later (Gospel of Thomas) Elaborate stories and exaggerations Not allowed in NT Jesus does not depend on exaggerations

Jesus went to the synagogue school in Nazareth Jesus is learning in the temple, not teaching Rabbis usually teach by Q&A and discussion Jesus had a desire to learn more Realized later that there was a lot that the teachers of the law did not understand Jerusalem had a permanent population of some 80,000 at the time of Christ. During Passover, Succoth and Shavuoth, the great festivals during which Jews were obligated to make sacrifices at the Temple, between 100,000 and 250,000 visitors (historians differ) would stream down the long city thoroughfare.

Second Temple

Synagogue

Males required to attend three festivals (Read Ex. 23:14-17) Women not required to attend but often did Boys were required to go also (may not have Jesus’ first trip) Importance is that at 12, He was considered a man Feast lasted 7 days Lost for 3 days may include 2 days of travel

Mother was anxious when they found Him Have you ever lost a child and how did you feel? 1st use of term Father About my Father’s business or in my Father’s house Do you think Joseph understood? Jesus’ mother saw Him as a lost child

V 52 in favor with God and man Jesus was not a somber personality, but friendly and cheerful He attended parties and feasts Not incompatible between religion and enjoyment of life Have you ever known anyone who appeared very religious on the outside, but inside seemed very unhappy? Have you ever known anyone who let religion keep them from enjoying the good things of life?

Drab clothes and drab life Formal piety can be difficult to live with Love is the basis of all relationships Society of friends were shaping their rule of life and they put in: to share myself with my household an hour a day in relaxed conversation How does that fit in with today’s family lifestyle? True Christianity is to always be mindful of relationships with others

What is the purpose of this story? Impress us with Jesus’ IQ A preview of a future showdown At 12, has Jesus already realized His divine mission At 12, spiritual maturity, Passover Lamb Stories are often layers of meaning Routine yet breathtaking, temporal and eternal, human and spiritual What about this story is relevant to you at this point in your life

We do not really know Joseph and Mary’s degree of understanding We do not really know Joseph and Mary’s degree of understanding about their Son Raised Him in a religious home with religious values Sometimes children do not seem to follow a parent’s course Have you known of a child that has strayed far from the values they were brought up with? How do their parents handle it? Do they blame themselves I some way?

Parents today have to be very intentional about their goals If your child is involved in a sport or other activity that is on a Sunday, how do you as a parent make the decision as to where they should go? Lots of subtle voices today How heavy an influence is peer pressure on today’s youth?

Burden of influence should come from children’s parents A parent cannot act one way and tell the child differently For example, a parent loses credibility if they smoke or drink and then tell their children not to A parent drops his child off at church is not a good example Life’s perils come in very comfortable clothing Just because it looks good and feels good does not mean it’s OK to do but on the other hand, we should not miss out on the true pleasures and joys of life for the sake of religion.