Growing Up Well

by Pastor Mark
June 04, 2026

The challenge to grow

Since Monday, we have been holding our Junior Camp, with 100 children participating. It has been a wonderful time of learning for them as they were taught about God’s great and precious promises. We hope that the children will remember Junior Camp as a meaningful and memorable time. The challenge is to help our children grow. We recognise that Junior Camp can go so far and no further. There is the vital concern of parents about how they would raise their child. There is the part we play as a church in teaching and guiding our children. There is also the part that the children have to fulfil in order to grow. The way in which the Lord Jesus grew gives us an excellent example of how to grow up in a balanced manner.

The grace of God

“And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Luke 2:40)

  1. A key aspect of the growth of the Lord Jesus was the grace of God.
  2. It was by the grace of God that He grew up well.
  3. He experienced consistent growth through the continual filling of God’s grace.
  4. God’s grace is needed for our children to grow in every area of their lives.

A description of the Lord Jesus’ growth

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)

  1. Spirit…the Lord Jesus grew and became strong in spirit. He was continuously becoming stronger and stronger. Our children can also learn to become strong in spirit.
  2. Wisdom…the Lord was consistently filled with God’s wisdom. He was always increasing in His wisdom. May our children also advance in wisdom.
  3. Stature…the Lord also looked after His own physical growth, even though He came from a poor family. Physically, He had to be strong as a carpenter. Our children can be strong physically too.
  4. Favour with God…the Lord Jesus grew spiritually and was always in favour with His Father. God would often commend Him as His beloved Son, with whom He was pleased. Our children can learn to grow spiritually and be pleasing to God.
  5. Favour with men…the Lord was blameless in all He did…so that He would be pleasing in the eyes of men. Our children can learn to live a life that is in favour with men.

The way in which the Lord Jesus grew

How was the Lord Jesus able to grow in this well-balanced manner? We read that the Lord Jesus was in the temple, learning from the teachers (Luke 2:46–50). Firstly, the Lord Jesus gave full concentration to listen to what was being taught. Secondly, He checked things out by asking the teachers questions. Thirdly, as the Lord interacted with the teachers, He demonstrated enlightened comprehension. He was able to give answers that were wise beyond His years. Fourthly, He showed great commitment to His Father and His business. When His parents queried Him for being in the temple, He replied that they ought to know that He would be about His Father’s business. This was His commitment to His Father and His service for Him.

Let us be challenged to help our children grow in the grace of God and become good Christian adults. Let us be committed to helping our children follow the example of the Lord Jesus. Let us pray for our children to develop their lives in a well-balanced way.

Back to Article Listing

More Articles

View more