"While human nature largely determines how we hear the notes,
it is nurture that lets us hear the music."
Jonah Lehrer
"Find out what it is that touches you most deeply. Pursue it, learn about it,
explore it, expand on it. Live with it and nurture it."
Leonard Nimoy
responsive households
If you think of family as parents being stewards of their lives and the children they are given; earthly parents begin our care physically. When we get sick they take us to a doctor. They do well to provide for us physically, but need Jesus to help care for their children's spiritual needs. They miss this care if their parents or others don't teach them about Jesus. He loves children and wants them to have life; a life that makes them fit for heaven, a life guided by love, renewed minds, and willing spirits. "Jesus replied, Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching, My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them" (John 14:23).
the church
our larger
family
Parents who know Jesus will raise their children as members of God's family. They promise before God and the Church to teach their covenant children the ways of faith and to learn to love, know, and serve the God who gave them life. The Holy Spirit enables children to understand and receive the gospel which speaks daily healing for their weaknesses, failures, and sins. This "salvation", as our parents came to know it, is not just a decision to join a church or a desire to become more spiritual. God views our being yoked with Jesus as a life-long communion with him. Jesus said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Mt. 11:28-30).
god's church disciples
"in Christ" living
When we receive Jesus into our lives, we become His. We are adopted into the
family of God. Our bodies are declared "temples" of the Holy Spirit and his work sanctifies or makes us holy as we learn to follow his guidance into all truth. Then our households become places of His love and grace as we live for God, for one another, and for His Kingdom.
mary & Joseph
modeled a godly
household
Mary and the members of her family depended upon carpentry toil for their livelihood before and after Joseph's death. Jesus was considered the eldest son. He was careful to follow Joseph's training and example. He helped steward their household like Joseph had. So as they worked together, he taught them both in the shop and by regular attendance at the synagogue. Jesus was known in the synagogue for his understanding and teachings from the books of Moses, the Psalms, and the prophetic Scriptures.
God placed Jesus in this household. His faithfulness in the carpenter's shop was shown in the quality of the tables, chairs, and farm yokes they made. G. Campbell Morgan asserts that this was a significant part of pleasing his heavenly Father and preparing for his cross work. God's family is brought together in peace through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. That is why taking communion and remembering our Savior, as His blood bought family, is so important.
During one of their yearly trips to Jerusalem for Passover, Mary and Joseph left to return to Nazareth not realizing that Jesus, who was twelve, was not with them. This troubled them and they returned to Jerusalem. "After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers." When asked 'why' by his mother, Jesus replied, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" Though Mary did not understand this reply at the time, " she treasured up all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:41-52).
We hope our children, like Jesus, will want to be in their heavenly Father's house. The blessings of the Father come through receiving God's Word. The Holy Spirit helped Jesus to increase in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. Like Jesus, our children are not lost when they are found in our Father's house. It is good for them to listen, to ask questions, to understand the Scriptures, and to find God's answers and will for their lives. Little is said in the gospels about family interaction so when answering the question, "who are your mother or brother or sister?", Jesus answered, "Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:32-35).
becoming
skillful workers
Children are encouraged to follow Jesus' example in submitting to training and
necessary preparation for a period of years. They are encouraged not to abbreviate this time. God honors the development of biblical knowledge, trades, and skills. Much is learned in the sharing of daily household chores and communications. All of these reflect love and please their heavenly Father just as Jesus did in honoring his earthly parents. Honest work and stewarding one's talents and gifts helps children with identifying their abilities and spiritual gifts. Skills learned in godly homes can lead to fruitful service in the church and community. Such knowledge may lead them to vocational and career choices. These skills also come in handy to pay the costs of trainings, during times when adult workplace income is lean, when jobs are lost, or when relocation becomes necessary.
jesus shows us
his father
Jesus began public ministry at age 30, spent time in prayer each day seeking His Father's will, and was led by the Holy Spirit in all his contacts with men. He spoke of doing the works of his Father in heaven (John 4:34) and said, "I always do those things that please the Father" John 8:29. We believe that in looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we see the glory of our heavenly Father. Jesus answered Philip, "if you have seen me, you have seen the Father", John 14:9. Through Jesus eyes, his touch, his words, and his deeds, we come to know and believe the Father and the Holy Spirit. May we, like Jesus, always live in sweet communion with the Father .
Jesus taught the truths of the gospel which is God's plan of redemption through his beloved Son. Jesus took on flesh (virgin birth), lived a sinless life, died a cruel death on a cross, and rose from among the dead on the third day, just as he said. His life, his substitutionary death, and his resurrection invite us to place our faith in him as our Savior and know one day he will bring us to God. Jesus said, "All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out" John 6:37.