1)Listen to Podcast
2)GG Questions
05/24/2020
Doing Life with Jesus: Growing Up
Luke 2:39-52; 3:21-22
1. Wonderboy : The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas records a story of Jesus, age five, shaping pigeons out of clay on
the Sabbath. When accused by a neighborhood boy of working on the Sabbath, the boy Jesus claps His
hands and the pigeons come to life and fly away. Amusing as this fable is, why is it dead wrong (Phil. 2:6-7)?
Why is it both necessary (Heb. 2:17) and deeply soul-strengthening (Heb. 4:14-15) to know that Jesus
possessed a fully human nature?
2. My Father’s Business (Luke 2:39-53) : Before there was a God-man, there was a God-boy. What does the
phrase “according to custom” or “as usual” in Luke 2:41-42 and 4:16 teach us about this boy’s growing up
years? Do you think this might have contributed to his awareness, at age twelve in the temple, of His unique
relationship to God (Luke 2:49)? Jesus’ boyhood years were filled with godly habits. Which habits are most
meaningful in your life or what might you consider adopting?
3. Sibling and Son : Jesus spent countless hours in the carpenter’s shop with His (adopted) father, Joseph, but,
sometime after Jesus’ bar mitzvah and before His baptism, Joseph died (John 19:25-27). As the eldest son,
what was expected of Jesus in this culture? How many siblings was Jesus responsible for (Luke 2:7; Matt.
13:55-56)? How did this shape His character? Have you ever endured this one-two-punch of fresh tragedy
and newfound responsibility?
4. This Is My Son (Luke 3:21-22) : There are only three moments in the gospels when the Father breaks into the
scene and audibly affirms His relationship to the Son (Luke. 3:22; 9:35; John 12:28). The first, at Jesus’
baptism, interrupted an ordinary scene. Read Luke 3:20-21. Unlike His future trip on a donkey, did Jesus
draw any attention to Himself? Why do you think the Father said what He did? Break down each phrase and
speculate on its significance to Jesus personally ( beloved, Son, well pleased ).
