Issues That Should Be Settled By Age Twelve!

DATE Sept 2006

ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE SETTLED BY AGE 12!!

Luke 2:40-42.

Lu 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. (KJV)

INTRODUCTION: (Prov 22:6) "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Everyone be between the ages of 11 years old and 13 years old – please stand. Between 11 and 13. Those of you standing you will soon be 12 years of age – you are now 12 years of age – or you have just past the age of 12 years old. Am I right?

For the most part, the homes of today, especially those who are rearing children, have taken the approach of the humanistic society. Parents have yielded the authority of the home to that of the socially accepted approach. It seems that most homes are trying to rear their child according to how the latest TV sitcom, or to the schedule of activities prepared by the community.

What about the home in which Jesus grew up in? Have you ever stopped to think about that home? The Bible gives us a portion of the childhood life of our Saviour, Lord Jesus Christ, for a purpose. We can examine His teen years and pre-teen education and apply these recorded principles in our own children’s lives.

Too often we use Prov. 22:6, “Train up a child....” as a comfort that a child will come back to God after he/she has sown their wild oats, but I believe that it is saying that if we will use total Bible principles that we don’t even have to go through that time of waywardness or straying.

Now remember that Jesus was born of a virgin. He was all God and all man. That is hard for a natural mind to comprehend. Neither did He become more of God later on in His life. We read on further in the text we have for tonight and see that:

(Luke 2:43) "And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it."

(Luke 2:44) "But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance."

(Luke 2:45) "And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him."

(Luke 2:46) "And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions."

(Luke 2:47) "And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."

To our youth tonight, I want to challenge them to remember that they also, and not only the adults, are to be “conformed to the image of His Son”. Therefore, this would tell us that there are some things that should be settled in our life at an early age. The reason that this doesn’t happen many times is two fold:

A. Parents Are Not Willing To Do That Which Must Be Done To Insure That The Things Are Settled.

It requires much labour to train up a child in the way in which he should go. It takes effort and hard work to rear children properly. The horse trainers say that there is more to training a horse than just reading it a book on how to win races. I believe that same principle will apply to training up our children.

B. The Child Is Not Willing To Be Submitted To The Parent.

Before you are ready to go on to adulthood you must have these issues settled. If you are past twelve and these have not been done, then you need to do it this day. It matters not whether you are 12, 14, or 20 you cannot go on to the next level until you have these issues settled.

Let me add quickly, I know some 40 & 50 year old people who have not settled these same issues, and they are part of the main problem in Christianity today.

Our children have seen so many “Reality Shows” on TV that now they have been taught to make their own decisions, ignore the parental history, live for self. Whatever you want get it.

I. JESUS HAD SETTLED THE CHURCH ATTENDANCE BY THE AGE OF TWELVE

Jesus was with His parents every time they attended the House of God. It was a settled issue. As parents, you should have already settled this matter in the heart of your child. By the time a person is twelve years old church should be as much part of their lives as is going to bed at night.