Jesus Grows Up | The Wolfe Notes

These notes follow our 7-step rhythm for Bible study. Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotes are from the English Standard Version (ESV) translation.


Jesus Grows Up
(From Luke 2:39-40)
A branch in the rising sun with text overlay from Luke 2:40
Sunrise through the Tree by akirEVarga at Pixabay


1. Summary

Mary, Joseph, and Jesus returned to Nazareth, where Jesus grew up. He was strong, full of wisdom, and in God's favor.

2. N/W/L Statements

  1. I NOTICED that Luke doesn't mention their time in Egypt or much at all about Jesus' childhood.
  2. I WONDER what Jesus' childhood was like? Was He talented? Picked on? Did He ever cry? Get frustrated? What did He do for fun?
  3. I think God wants us to LEARN that the favor of God was on Jesus, which is interesting because it implies you can be out of God's favor. Obviously, Jesus never was. 

3. Key Verse

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:40 

These are the few descriptors Luke gives us about Jesus' life as a child. From what we can tell, He was the kind of child any parent would desire.

4. God's Character

  1. God does not put even His own beloved and begotten Son in a position of privilege. Like the rest of us, He was tried by fire. (Jesus became, which means it was a process.)
    1. Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
    2. saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. Luke 22:42
    3. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
  2. God's favor can rest on us, too. (God's favor was on Jesus from childhood.)
    1. But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:8
    2. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4
    3. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2 
  3. God wants us to honor the Law of the Lord. (Only after performing the traditional childhood rites did they return home.)
    1. Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it. Deuteronomy 12:32
    2. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. Psalm 19:7-9
    3. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17

5. Pray

Father God, You watched over Your only Son as He became a man. You watched Him grow strong, You filled Him with wisdom, and rested Your favor upon Him. I ask for You to do the same for Your children who You are even now watching grow. May they grow strong, may they be filled with wisdom, and may Your favor rest upon them.

6. Act

Support others in their growth. Lead them to God who is our strength, the source of wisdom, and in whose favor we want to rest in continually.

7. Annotation Notes

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, ! a connection, and italics a referenced source.
  1. ? What were Galilee and Nazareth like? (Luke 2:39)
    1. It was close to where the Herodian mines. Joseph probably worked there. So Jesus likely grew up familiar with Herodian beliefs. Herodians were Jews that integrated the Roman lifestyle into their homes, habits, and mindsets. - "Episode 77: Silent Years - Herodians" from BEMA Discipleship Podcast.
  2. ! The child growing strong (Luke 2:40) reminds me of this verse in Isaiah 7:15: "He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good." *Which intrigues me because it is talking about Jesus' childhood, what He eats, and learning to refuse evil. I don't understand the correlation, but it interests me.

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