Luke 2:40-52

40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

41 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." 49 He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. — NRSV
 

Why do you think Luke emphasized Jesus’ wisdom in verses 40 and 52? If we need to depend on Jesus’ wisdom, what might this say about the nature of a Biblical faith? See also, James 1:5.








Joseph and Mary believed that regular synagogue attendance and traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover every year was important for them and their Son, Jesus. How did this help them and their family?








What can a person’s questions reveal about them? Why do you think people were amazed at Jesus questions?









How did Mary try to correct Jesus behavior? What was Jesus’ response? What does this tell us about Jesus and His family?









What things can a person do to increase in both divine and human favor? Why do you think it is important to live in such as way as to increase in both divine and human favor? How could Jesus increase in both divine and human favor without compromising His allegiance to and obedience to God and the Scriptures?









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