As we prepare for Christmas and reflect on the Christmas story, I can’t help but think about how the model we are striving for at Word of God Academy mirrors the upbringing of Jesus. I believe there are valuable lessons to be learned about parenting, the Church, and education by pausing to examine the Christmas story.
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 21:25
You might wonder why I start with this verse when discussing Christmas. I begin here because so much happens behind the scenes in Scripture that we don’t always fully see or experience. We must never add to or subtract from Scripture, but we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding of both Scripture and life (Isaiah 11:2). As I read Scripture, I process, ponder, and apply it to my own life.
Have you ever realized that at the end of Jesus' upbringing, His training led Him to a personal mission statement? I believe you can trace every part of His life back to that mission statement.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
Luke 4:18-19
Jesus had a five-pronged approach to life, one that was shaped and solidified through His upbringing. His personal mission statement drove everything He did during His three years of ministry. This mission came directly from His training in the home and in the Church. (In future blogs, I will outline a 5-step Kingdom Training Template drawn from the Christmas story.)
When Jesus stated His personal mission statement in Luke 4, He was 30 years old. By that time, He had fully embraced Luke 2:52: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." His upbringing included not only living the life of a carpenter but also spending time with wise men in the Church. His homeschool training in a biblical worldview was complemented by his formal education in the Scriptures, “…sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.” (Luke 2:46)
Jesus mission statement became His purpose in life. It was deeply rooted in The Truth of God’s Word.
- Truth establishes Conviction
- Conviction drives Purpose
- Purpose creates Vision
- Vision leads to Action
As parents, pastors, and educational leaders, we must ask ourselves this question:
Is what I am training my children in creating a Truth in them that is guided by God’s Word? This question becomes the litmus test for a child’s worldview, purpose, and personal mission statement. As a dad of two boys who have graduated high school, I can’t tell you how many times I had to ask myself this question. In the weariness of parenting, I had to remind myself that it’s not that I’m not doing the right thing—it’s that I haven’t done it long enough.
Jesus’ life of action lasted three years, but I believe it was so impactful because of the Truth embedded deeply within Him, which led to His personal mission statement. We cannot rush the process of childrearing, nor can we rush when they are ready to be salt and light in a confused and dark world. I’m not advocating for a life of protection, but for one of preparation.
Mr. Euler has 24 years’ experience working in Christian Schools, 16 as a Head of School and is currently the Head of School at Word of God Academy, Shreveport, LA., a ministry of Word of God Ministries.
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