Jesus grew in wisdom and he impressed the teachers of the law with his insight when he was only twelve years old. This wisdom and insight was not based upon a reservoir of head-knowledge. He was not impressing people with the facts he had stored up from studying. Instead he was demonstrating insight into life. He had understanding and he grew in this understanding. God wants to use a difficult marriage or a frustrating work environment to teach us something. While he is not the source of these troubles, he is wise enough to know how he can take advantage of trials to refine us and give us wisdom.
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The Gospel of Groundhog
• Greg Boyd
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Jesus grew in wisdom and he impressed the teachers of the law with his insight when he was only twelve years old. This wisdom and insight was not based upon a reservoir of head-knowledge. He was not impressing people with the facts he had stored up from studying. Instead he was demonstrating insight into life. He had understanding and he grew in this understanding.
Jesus grew. He did not arrive on earth with a complete understanding. He modeled for us how we are to grow in our insight and wisdom that we might attain understanding in how to live. Life is about getting it. The experiences of life are opportunities for us to learn. We don’t have to make the same mistakes over and over.
God uses life experiences to open our eyes and to change us. Many times we don’t embrace these experiences as opportunities. We only see them as impediments, inconveniences or problems. But God wants to use a difficult marriage or a frustrating work environment to teach us something. While he is not the source of these troubles, he is wise enough to know how he can take advantage of trials to refine us and give us wisdom.
Topics: Salvation, Transformation
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Focus Scripture:
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Luke 2:52
And as Jesus grew up, he increased in wisdom and in favor with God and people.
"Thank you for this ministry! It has transformed my life in some really radical ways. God has broken down so many barriers and exposed so many lies that have taken some serious burdens from my heart. It has given me hope, freedom and purpose I never could have imagined possible."
– Jenny, from Wisconsin