SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 17 January 27, 2008

Jesus Seeks the LORD as a Child
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Luke 2:41-52; Jeremiah 29:13; John 16: 13-14; John 14:25-26
Memory Verse: "After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions." Luke 2:46 (Pre-K to grade 3)
      Look at the way Mary and Joseph raised the child Jesus, God's Son. "Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover." Word received: This family worshipped Me using the feasts that I set up. It provided a framework on which they could build their faith and grow. God commanded his people to celebrate certain feast and fasts every year so that they would remember what God had done and who they were. God does the same for his church -- lest we forget! " Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." (Deuteronomy 6:4-7, 10a & 12) "When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you…then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD (the I AM) who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." Also look at Deuteronomy 8: 2-5. Remember how the LORD led you all the way in the desert these forty year, to humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands -- to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD...Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you."
      This is part of the reason we celebrate the Christian year so that we will not forget what God has done, to bring us back if we have strayed and/or to bring us closer to the LORD.
      When Jesus was twelve, the age when a Jewish boy does his Bar Mitzvah (Son of the Covenant) and takes his place as a man in the synagogue, the family went to Jerusalem as usual. What Jesus did was both his single mindedness about learning more about "his Father's business" and the thoughtlessness of a child -- to not tell his family what he was doing. It was not sin but it certainly was thoughtless and caused Mary and Joseph a lot of grief. Mary rebukes him and the boy Jesus is surprised that they didn't know what he was doing. Jesus goes back to Nazareth and "was obedient to them". Look at Hebrews 5:8-9. "For though he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered, and being make perfect/complete/finished he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him." See also Hebrews 2:17-18. "He had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest -- Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Word received: I want My people to take Me as a model of Sonship. I want them to see in Me the pattern for their relationship with My Father. Jesus experienced the growing up process, not just temptation. He knows what it is like! His main focus, even as a teen was to learn more about his Father in Heaven and His will. He obeyed his human parents because that was the will of his Heavenly Father.
      Notice that the boy Jesus already knows God/Yahweh/ the I AM as his Father even though it is not a frequent title for God in the Old Testament! Look at John 3:34 for the role of the Holy Spirit in his life. "For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure (unto him)." Word received: My Spirit was working in My Son even as a boy. God wants our children to know God as Father, to have a personal relationship with him (Stop and pray for our own children and Christ Church children.)
      Part of the result of a close relationship is that Jesus had a hunger to learn more and more about God's word and he sought out the teachers of God's word to lean more. He was not afraid to ask questions. Are we hungry for more of God?
      Jeremiah 29:13 says "And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Word received: Search for Me with an undivided heart. Search for Me as I AM. Search for Me, call upon Me, pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Word received: I want you to seek Me with all your heart as My Son did at the temple.
      Mary and Joseph didn't understand what Jesus was telling them but Mary remembered it and pondered it in her heart. Word received: Mary paid attention to what Jesus said and did. She remembered. I want you to remember what My Son has said and done. And I want you to remember when I speak to you and work in your life.
      This wasn't the only time Mary was puzzled by Jesus but at least at the wedding at Cana she had the right response to her puzzlement, "Do whatever he tells you."

Word received for teachers: I want you to come to Me with your questions, (underscore you). I want you to wait on Me for My answers..
      There is no disobedience in asking questions, especially when asking God. The very process of asking God questions can begin to form a relationship--you are talking!
      Jesus is a model, as he was making choices that helped him grow into a sonship relationship. He was making the effort to get to know his Father and his Father's ways.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 17
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
      1. God always provided ways for the people of Israel to stay close to Him. One of the ways was to celebrate the days He appointed as feast days (or fasts) In this way the people could remember what He had done for them God also provides ways for us today to stay close to Him and remember what He has done;. Can you think of any ways?
      2. Jesus as a boy was seeking and learning about His Father in heaven. He was also getting to know Him personally. Jesus is a good model for us of what it means to be a son or daughter of God the Father.
      3. Jesus, as a boy, clearly had an undivided heart. God wants us to be that way too. He wants us to seek more of Him and seek Him with ALL our hearts.
      4. The Jesus wants us to pay attention to everything He does, just as Mary did. God wants us to remember what Jesus has done for us and remember the times He speaks to us and works in our lives.