
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When He was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival 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 it 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. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
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He grew in wisdom, stature, and favor. This is the goal of Orange 252 curriculum and it should be the goal of the church. To raise children and help them grow in wisdom…to give them knowledge, not just of life, but more importantly knowledge of the Word of God. To raise children and help them grow in stature…as they grow, helping them to live a life based on the knowledge of His word. To raise children and help them gain favor…to guide them to a life that first pleases God, and then a life that brings respect, love, and inspiration to those around them. This is the goal.