<p>In our story today, we look at Jesus’ life as a child and how He grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. “Firm as a rock in standing for the right, He never failed to be gentle and courteous toward all.” </p>

<p>Free sharing permitted under the Creative Commons <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/">BY-NC-ND 3.0 (US)</a> license.</p>

Starting with Jesus

Ruthie Reeves

The Story of Jesus

Chapter 1: The Birth of Jesus

Chapter 2: Jesus Presented in the Temple

Chapter 3: The Visit of the Wisemen

Chapter 4: The Flight into Egypt

Chapter 5: Child Life of Jesus

Chapter 6: Days of Conflict

Chapter 7: The Baptism

Chapter 8: The Temptation

Chapter 9: Early Ministry

Chapter 10: Teachings of Christ

Chapter 11: SabbathKeeping

Chapter 12: The Good Shepherd

Chapter 13: Riding into Jerusalem

Chapter 14: Take These Things Hence

Chapter 15: At The Passover Supper

Chapter 16: In Gethsemane

Chapter 17: The Betrayal and Arrest

Chapter 18: Before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin

Chapter 19: Judas

Chapter 20: Before Pilot

Chapter 21: Before Herod

Chapter 22: Condemned by Pilot

Chapter 23: Calvary

Chapter 24: Death of Christ

Chapter 25: In Joseph’s Tomb

Chapter 26: He Is Risen

Chapter 27: Tell My Disciples

Chapter 28: Witnesses

Chapter 29: The Ascension

Chapter 30: Coming Again

Chapter 31: A Day of Judgment

Chapter 32: The Home of the Saved

Hello, boys and girls. Welcome back to the story of Jesus. Yesterday we read about how Jesus and his family were protected by the angels and were sent into Egypt, and today we're going to read about Jesus when he was a child. So get a fuzzy blanket and your favorite stuffed animal because it's time to follow Jesus. This is the story of Jesus by Ellen White, chapter five, child life of Jesus. Jesus in his childhood lived in a little mountain village. He was the son of God and he might have had any place on earth for his home. He would've been an honor to any place, but he did not go to the homes of Richmond or the palaces of kings. He chose to dwell among the poor. In Nazareth, Jesus wants the poor to know that he understands their trials. He has born all that they have to bear. He can sympathize with them and help them of Jesus in its early years, the Bible says the child grew and wax strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him, and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. His mind was bright and active. He was of quick understanding and showed a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond his years. Yet his ways were simple and childlike and he grew in mind and body as other children grow. But Jesus was not in all things like other children. He always showed a sweet, unselfish spirit. His willing hands were always ready to serve others. He was patient and thoughtful firm as a rock in standing for the right. He never failed to be gentle and courteous toward all in his home and wherever he might be. He was like a cheerful sunbeam. He was thoughtful and kind toward the aged and the poor, and he showed kindness even to the dumb animals. He would care tenderly for a little wounded bird and every living thing was happier when he was near in the days of Christ. The Jews gave much care to the education of their children. Their schools were connected with the synagogues or places of worship, and the teachers were called rabbis. Men who were supposed to be very learned. Jesus did not go to these schools for they taught many things that were not true instead of God's word. The sayings of men were studied and often these were contrary to that which God had taught through his prophets. God himself by his Holy Spirit instructed Mary how to bring up his son. Mary taught Jesus from the holy scriptures and he learned to read and study them for himself. Jesus also loved to study the wonderful things which God had made in the earth and in the sky. In this book of nature, he saw the trees and plants in animals and the sun and the stars. Day by day he watched them and tried to learn lessons from them and to understand the reason of things. Holy angels were with him and helped him to learn from these things about God. Thus, as he grew in height and strength, he grew also in knowledge and wisdom. Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. We should spend our time in learning only that which is true. Falsehood and fables will do us no good only the truth is of any value, and this we may learn from God's word and from his works. As we study these things, the angels will help us to understand we shall see the wisdom and goodness of our heavenly Father. Our minds will be strengthened, our hearts will be made pure and we shall be more like Christ. Every year, Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover. When Jesus was 12 years old, they took him with him. This was a pleasant journey. The people traveled on foot or rode on oxen or donkeys, and it took several days to go. The distance from Nazareth to Jerusalem is about 70 miles from all parts of the land and even from other countries. The people went to the feast and those from the same place usually traveled together in a large company. The feast was held near the close of March or the beginning of April. This was springtime in Palestine and the whole land was right with flowers and glad with the Song of Birds. As they traveled, parents told their children of the wonderful things that God had done for Israel in ages past, and often they sang together some of the beautiful Psalms of David in the days of Christ that people had grown cold and formal in their service to God. They thought more of their own pleasure than of his goodness to them, but it was not so as Jesus. He loved to think about God as he came to the temple. He watched the priests in their work. He bowed with the worshipers as they knelt to pray, and his voice joined in the songs of praise. Every morning and evening, a lamb was offered upon the altar. This was to represent the death of the Savior. As the child, Jesus looked upon the innocent victim, the Holy Spirit taught him it's meaning. He knew that he himself as the Lamb of God, must die for the sins of men with such thoughts in his mind. Jesus wanted to be alone, so he did not stay with his parents in the temple, and when they started for home, he was not with them. In a room connected with the temple, there was a school taught by the rabbis and to this place. After a while, the child Jesus came. He sat with the other youth at the feet of the great teachers and listened to their words. The Jews had many wrong ideas about the Messiah. Jesus knew this, but he did not contradict the learned men as one who wished to be taught. He asked questions about what the prophets had written. The 53rd chapter of Isaiah speaks of the Savior's death, and Jesus read this chapter and asked its meaning. The rabbis could give no answer. They begin to question Jesus and they were astonished at his knowledge of the scriptures. They saw that he understood the Bible far better than they did. They saw that their teaching was wrong, but they were not willing to believe anything different. Yet Jesus was so modest and gentle that they were not angry with him. They wanted to keep him as a student and teach him to explain the Bible as they did. When Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem on their journey toward home, they did not notice that Jesus stayed behind. They thought that he was with some of their friends in the company, but on stopping to camp for the night. They missed his helpful hand. They looked for him throughout the company, but in vain, Joseph and Mary were in great fear. They remembered how Herod had tried to kill Jesus in his infancy and they were afraid that some evil had now befallen him with sorrowful hearts. They hasten back to Jerusalem, but it was not till the third day that they found him great was their joy at seeing him again? Yet Mary thought that he was to blame for leaving them. She said, son, why have you thus dealt with us? Behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing. How is it that you sought me? Jesus answered, would you not that I must be about my father's business? As he spoke these words, Jesus pointed upward on his face was a light at which they wondered. Jesus knew that he was the son of God and he had been doing the work for which his father had sent him into the world. Mary never forgot these words. In the years that followed, she better understood their wonderful meaning. Joseph and Mary loved Jesus. Yet they had been careless in losing him. They had forgotten the very work which God had given them to do. By one day's neglect, they lost Jesus. In the same way today, many lose the Savior from their company. When we do not love to think about him or pray to him, when we speak idle, unkind, or evil words, we separate ourselves from Christ. Without him, we are lonely and sad. But if we really desire his company, he will always be with us. With all who seek his presence. The Savior loves to stay. He will brighten the poorest home and gladden the loneliest heart. Though he knew that he was the son of God, Jesus went home to Nazareth with Joseph and Mary. Until 30 years of age, he was subject to them. He who had been the commander of heaven was on earth, a loving and obedient son. The great things brought to his mind by the service of the temple were hidden in his heart. He waited until God's time to begin his appointed work. Jesus lived in the home of a peasant, a poor man, faithfully and cheerfully. He did his part in helping to support the family. As soon as he was old enough, he learned a trade and worked in the carpenter shop with Joseph in the core stress of a common laborer, he passed through the streets of the little town going to and from his work. He did not use his divine power to make his life easier for himself. As Jesus worked in his childhood and youth, he grew strong in body and mind. He tried to use all his powers in such a way as to keep them in health, that he might do the best work in every line. Whatever he did was done well. He wanted to be perfect. Even in the handling of tools. By his example, he taught that we ought to be industrious, that we should do our work carefully and well, and that such work is honorable. All should find something to do that will be helpful to themselves and to others. God gave us work as a blessing and he is pleased with children who carefully take their part in the duties of the household, sharing the burdens of father and mother. Such children will go out from the home to be a blessing to others. The youth who try to please God in all that they do, who do right because it is right will be useful in the world. By being faithful in a humble place, they are fitting themselves for a higher position to be continued. It's time now for our questions. Now, normally I would ask you three questions, but today we're gonna do something a little different. See, in our story, we learned that Jesus was an industrious worker and industrious means that he was diligent and he did his work well and he worked hard, and we also learned that God gives us a blessing and gives our work a blessing as we cheerfully take part in our duties of the household. So today your challenge is to think of three things that you can do to help your parents around the house, and then I want you to do those three things, not just think of those three things, but actually do those three things and do it cheerfully. Some things you might be able to do is ask your mom, say, hi, mom. Is there something that you would like me to do around the house or is there something that I can help you with? You might want to help do the dishes or you might help clear the table or help with the laundry or sweep the floor. There's so many different things that you can do and I'm sure your parents can help you think of some ideas. So that's your challenge. Think of three things that you can do around the house that are extra that you can help your parents with. Usually we would also have you send in your answers to us, but instead of sending in your answers today, I want you to send in some ideas to help other kids. So if you have an idea of something that can help around the house, send it to us at a place to do something@gmail.com and we'll share it on our Facebook or our Instagram. You can also tag us on Facebook or Instagram at a place to do something, and we would love to share those ideas with others so that they can learn how to be diligent and helpful in their households too. Thank you so much for joining our program, and don't forget to check out the activity at a place to do something.com/the story. And make sure to check back tomorrow for another chapter in the Story of Jesus. This audio program was brought to you by a place to do something and narrated by Ruthie Reeves. You can find more programs like this at www.aplacetodosomething.com.

Ellen G. White

Book

The Story of Jesus

Chapter 5: Child Life of Jesus

Read by Ruthie Reeves

Description

Parent Series

Sponsor

Other Teachings in Series

Chapter 1: The Birth of Jesus

Chapter 2: Jesus Presented in the Temple

Chapter 3: The Visit of the Wisemen

Chapter 4: The Flight into Egypt

Chapter 5: Child Life of Jesus

Chapter 6: Days of Conflict

Chapter 7: The Baptism

Chapter 8: The Temptation

Chapter 9: Early Ministry

Chapter 10: Teachings of Christ

Chapter 11: SabbathKeeping

Chapter 12: The Good Shepherd

Chapter 13: Riding into Jerusalem

Chapter 14: Take These Things Hence

Chapter 15: At The Passover Supper

Chapter 16: In Gethsemane

Chapter 17: The Betrayal and Arrest

Chapter 18: Before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin

Chapter 19: Judas

Chapter 20: Before Pilot

Chapter 21: Before Herod

Chapter 22: Condemned by Pilot

Chapter 23: Calvary

Chapter 24: Death of Christ

Chapter 25: In Joseph’s Tomb

Chapter 26: He Is Risen

Chapter 27: Tell My Disciples

Chapter 28: Witnesses

Chapter 29: The Ascension

Chapter 30: Coming Again

Chapter 31: A Day of Judgment

Chapter 32: The Home of the Saved

Sound Doctrine