And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. – Luke 2:40
Bible Verses About Jesus Growing Up
The Early Years of Jesus
The early years of Jesus are marked by a beautiful simplicity that reveals His humanity. As we reflect on how Jesus grew, we can see how He experienced the same things we do, such as learning and developing relationships. This teaches us the importance of nurturing our own growth both spiritually and relationally. Jesus exemplified the significance of family, learning, and community support, reminding us that our journeys involve growing in every aspect of life, much like He did. We can take comfort in knowing that even the Son of God experienced childhood and development as we do, helping us feel more connected to Him.
Luke 2:40
“And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.” – Luke 2:40
Luke 2:52
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” – Luke 2:52
Mark 6:3
“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” – Mark 6:3
Matthew 2:11
“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.” – Matthew 2:11
Luke 2:21
“And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” – Luke 2:21
Lessons from Jesus’ Growth
As we observe Jesus growing up, there are invaluable lessons we can draw from His experiences. Jesus teaches us about humility, obedience, and the importance of learning. From His early years, we can learn that no matter our age, we are all on a journey of growth. We have the incredible opportunity to learn from one another, deepen our understanding of scripture, and live in accordance with God’s will. It is through these lessons that we can uplift one another and build stronger faith communities motivated by the same dedication that Jesus displayed.
Philippians 2:5
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:5
Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom…” – Colossians 3:16
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 4:7
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.” – Proverbs 4:7
The Family of Jesus
Jesus had a family, just like we do. His upbringing shows us how family plays a crucial role in our growth and development. The support from family members can shape our identities and help us align our values with God’s teachings. We can also see how important it is to honor our parents and caretakers, as they guide us in our journey of faith. Jesus’ relationship with Mary and Joseph reminds us that family is a place of learning, love, and growth where we develop our character and understanding of God.
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12
Ephesians 6:1
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” – Ephesians 6:1
Luke 1:38
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.'” – Luke 1:38
Matthew 1:24
“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife.” – Matthew 1:24
1 Timothy 5:8
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
The Wisdom of Jesus
As we explore the wisdom of Jesus during His early years, we recognize that wisdom is not merely knowledge but the application of understanding in our lives. Jesus showed profound wisdom even as a child, sharing insights with teachers and leaders. This demonstrates to us that wisdom can come from unexpected places and ages. Seeking wisdom is an ongoing journey, and we are encouraged to pursue learning humbly, just as Jesus did. We should all strive to grow in wisdom and apply it in our lives, nurturing our faith and relationships.
Luke 2:46
“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” – Luke 2:46
Proverbs 2:6
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6
Proverbs 19:20
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” – Proverbs 19:20
Luke 21:15
“For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.” – Luke 21:15
Proverbs 3:13
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.” – Proverbs 3:13
God’s Favor on Jesus
From the moment of His birth, the favor of God was evident in Jesus’ life, guiding His development and relationships. As Christians, we believe that God’s favor is available to us too. It is not merely about receiving blessings but living a life aligned with His purpose. The favor of God encourages us to grow spiritually and inspires us to be vessels of His love to those around us. By acknowledging that God is with us in our growth, we can feel empowered to live our lives with purpose and intention, just as Jesus did.
Luke 2:40
“And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.” – Luke 2:40
Proverbs 3:4
“So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” – Proverbs 3:4
Lamentations 3:25
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.” – Lamentations 3:25
Psalm 5:12
“For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” – Psalm 5:12
Psalm 90:17
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” – Psalm 90:17
Jesus’ Relationship with God
Jesus’ relationship with God the Father was foundational in His growth. It inspires us to cultivate our relationship with God through prayer and scripture study. When we engage with God, we, too, can develop a deeper understanding of His purpose for our lives. Jesus often withdrew to be in communion with God, teaching us the value of solitude and seeking His presence. This connection provided strength and guidance throughout His life, encouraging us to establish a similar reliance on God in our journey of growth and faith.
Matthew 14:23
“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.” – Matthew 14:23
Luke 5:16
“But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” – Luke 5:16
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
John 17:21
“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us…” – John 17:21
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the growth of Jesus, we recognize the beauty of His childhood and the lessons it holds for us. Jesus’ early years remind us of the importance of family, learning, and the pursuit of wisdom. The principles of honor, obedience, and nurturing our relationships can shape our spiritual journeys. Understanding the favor of God and deepening our relationship with Him are also essential components of our growth. By embracing these insights from the life of Jesus, we can strive to cultivate a richer, more fulfilling spiritual life just like He did.
I pray that as we learn from Jesus, we feel encouraged to grow in our faith and relationships, seeking God’s wisdom and guidance every step of the way. Let us unite in our mission of encouraging and uplifting one another within our families and communities.
If you want to explore more about Jesus’s life, take a moment to read about [Jesus in the temple](https://bibleoutlined.com/luke-2-39-52/) and [the birth of Jesus](https://bibleoutlined.com/luke-2-19/). Each story holds lessons that can enrich our understanding of His journey and ours.