Growing Up

We know very little about Jesus’ life as a boy growing up in Nazareth. However, the Bible does give us one glimpse into his childhood and the kind of home in which he was raised. In this Sunday’s message, we will talk about that home and learn what it takes to raise our own children to be Christian adults who are eager to walk with Christ.

Scripture: Luke 2:41-51

Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.


Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Don't Forget the Children delivered on Christian Crusaders March 23, 2003.

. . . teach God’s Word to your children. Let your witness begin at home when your children are small. What an opportunity you have to read them a Bible story before they go to sleep. Let them see you get on your knees and pray to God. When you are driving and the trip gets boring, visit with them about God’s love. Looking at the marvelous creation is an opener for you to point out how God has blessed your family with an exciting world in which to live. Hang pictures and symbols on the walls of your home that will be reminders of God’s presence in your midst.


Christian Crusaders Speakers
Would you like to know more about our speakers – Rev. Homer Larsen and Rev. Steve Kramer? On our Web site, www.christiancrusaders. org, you will find information about all our speakers since we first began broadcasting on the air 77 years ago. We have also posted an interesting historical slide show, which you can find at the page.


On the Light Side
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School.

“Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge, and all the people walked across safely. He used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters and call in an air strike. They sent in bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.”

“Now, Joey, is that REALLY what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked.

“Well, no, Mom, but if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"