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The Shaping of a ChildThe Shaping of a Child

The Holy Spirit shapes the life of the child, The Holy Spirit shapes the life of the child, Jesus, through loving parents, Jesus, through loving parents,

a caring spiritual family, a caring spiritual family, and learned teachers.and learned teachers.

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Three Key WordsThree Key Words

SignificanceSignificance - the Spirit affirms the - the Spirit affirms the significance of every child in the eyes of God.significance of every child in the eyes of God.

CommunityCommunity - the Spirit loves us through an - the Spirit loves us through an extended spiritual community that helps to extended spiritual community that helps to reaffirm our eternal significance.reaffirm our eternal significance.

TranscendenceTranscendence - the Spirit aids us in seeing, - the Spirit aids us in seeing, experiencing, and sensing an eternal spiritual experiencing, and sensing an eternal spiritual world that transcends our human existence. world that transcends our human existence.

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The Shaping of a ChildThe Shaping of a Child

1. An annual trip to Jerusalem for the Feast 1. An annual trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. of the Passover. 

2. The extended family probably stopped 2. The extended family probably stopped twice along the way.twice along the way.

3. The group stayed in a familiar inn in or 3. The group stayed in a familiar inn in or around Jerusalem.around Jerusalem.

4. A Passover trip was an exciting family 4. A Passover trip was an exciting family event.event.

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The Shaping of a ChildThe Shaping of a Child

5.5. Jesus probably completed His celebration Jesus probably completed His celebration of His Bar Mitzvah while he was there.of His Bar Mitzvah while he was there.

6.6. Jesus was not missed from the extended Jesus was not missed from the extended family group during the first day’s travel to family group during the first day’s travel to return home.return home.

7.7. Two exasperated parents find Jesus in the Two exasperated parents find Jesus in the Temple with the learned scholars.Temple with the learned scholars.

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The Shaping of a ChildThe Shaping of a Child

• The Holy Spirit used Jesus' family to affirm The Holy Spirit used Jesus' family to affirm His significance in God's sightHis significance in God's sight

• The Holy Spirit used Jesus' spiritual The Holy Spirit used Jesus' spiritual community to nurture Jesus' understanding community to nurture Jesus' understanding of His significance in God's sight.of His significance in God's sight.

• The Spirit used family, community, learned The Spirit used family, community, learned scholars, and Jesus' special spiritual insight scholars, and Jesus' special spiritual insight to shape Jesus' understanding of His to shape Jesus' understanding of His transcendent vision and calling.transcendent vision and calling.