Transforming Stories Wk 5
Transforming Stories of the Next Generation! – Week 5
Train Orthodoxy: Right Thinking!
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. … We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God”A.W. Tozer
Luke 2:39-52
“When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Connect with the prophet Samuel’s childhood in 1 Samuel 2:26, “Now the boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with the Lord and with men.” Allow me to share an important story that gives us the right perspective for today’s teaching, from 1 Samuel 3:1-19.
There are three important ways children grow in right thinking about God and how to be in a relationship with Him, as well as learn how to be adults:
- Observation: Does the next generation see your relationship with God?
- Listening: Does the next generation hear your conversations about God?
- Asking questions: Does the next generation have permission to approach us and God throughout their developmental stages? How we handle questions is life or death. (Share story from NYC.)
Right thinking comes through the development of a cohesive biblical worldview, which gives us a mental framework from which we interpret our experiences and engage with God, ourselves, people, and the world.
None of us our born with this knowledge automatically in us. Like Jesus, we must “increase in wisdom”:
- The purpose & promise of parenting: Ephesians 6:1-4 & Proverbs 22:6
- The purpose of Proverbs (the Bible): Proverbs 1:1-9
- The what & how of forming a cohesive worldview: Where to start?
- Start reading the Gospels and pray. Discuss Jesus, ask good questions, and seek Bible answers.
- Live in sacred rhythms: prayer, building healthy relationships, becoming a learner, attending church, going on retreats, taking Sabbath, and protecting priorities in your daily life.
- Model that all life comes from God, all truth is from God, and all things belong to God.
Conclusion:
Acts 2:38-39.
Trust the promise of Pentecost! The Holy Spirit wants to partner with you in your parenting and mentoring.