God’s One-Of-A-Kind Plan for Me
Three Ways to Grow like the Son of God
September 24, 2023 | FCBCW Children’s Worship | Luke 2:52
Introduction
We’ve been learning about following God’s plan. Auntie Alice taught us that God wants everyone to be saved. Auntie Katy shared that God wants his disciples to love God and obey his commands. Today, I want to ask you this question: Does God have a one-of-a-kind plan for you?
The answer is yes – God does have a one-of-a-kind plan for you. God knows exactly who you are. He knows you personally. God knows your name. He knows your parents. He knows your family. He knows what school you go to. And God knows the plans he has for your life.
None of us are exactly the same. We have different people in our lives. We live in different places. So God has different plans for all of us.
What we need to understand is that even though God knows his exact plan for your life, he doesn’t reveal all of the details to us right now. He doesn’t tell you right now if or who you will marry. He does not tell you right now what you will do for your career.
We talked about the idea of fences as a part of God’s plan to keep us safe. I want to push this thought further, saying that God gives us personal paths in these fences. They’re like lanes on a road. These paths are unique to each of us, one-of-a-kind, and help us grow as we follow God’s plan.
Three Ways to Grow like the Son of God
Jesus had his own personal path to follow. We have one verse in the Bible that is especially important for children to see that Jesus had a personal path even when he was a growing boy. Jesus was 12 years old in this verse that talks about him:
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)
To increase means to grow, and in this verse we see three ways to grow like the Son of God. First, he grew in wisdom. Second, he grew in favor with God - that means his character. Third, he grew in favor with man - that means his conduct. Let’s look at these one at a time and see how we can apply them to our own paths in life.
1. Jesus grew in wisdom
Jesus grew in wisdom. Yes, he was the Son of God - but he was also a human boy. So he had to go to school. He had to learn. He even had to memorize Scripture, just like we do in Awana.
Being wise is not about knowing facts, but applying them to your life. It means knowing when someone is happy and how you can celebrate with them. It means being able to tell when someone is sad, or angry, and saying good words to help them. You can even point them to God.
There is some variety in the type of wisdom we’ll grow up in. We go to different schools, we’ll grow up and study different things. God has a one-of-a-kind plan for every person to grow in wisdom. What’s most important is that we grow up in the wisdom and knowledge of God:
…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him… (Ephesians 1:17)
2. Jesus grew in character
Jesus grew in character. The verse says that he grew in favor with God. This means that God was pleased with who he was becoming as a person. Your character is the inner qualities that you have - like your morals and your values.
Character means you do not cheat on tests, and not stealing toys. You are not a liar and you are not proud. When things don’t go your way, you are okay with it and move on.
There is some variety in the ways we grow in character. Some of us learn character from the different sports that we play. Some of us learn character from the different musical instruments that we play. Some of us learn character from the different hobbies that we have. God has a one-of-a-kind plan for every person to grow in character. What’s most important is that we grow up with Godly character:
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30–31)
3. Jesus grew in conduct
Jesus grew in conduct. The verse says that he grew in favor with man. This means that everyone could see his actions, and that they were good and right. Your conduct is the way that you act. It’s how you treat others. It’s how you live your life.
Your conduct includes sharing, and caring for others. It means obeying your parents, and listening to your teachers.
There is some variety in the ways we conduct ourselves. We all have different homes and families to interact with. We have different friends and even different types of people that we might not get along with. We have different schedules that take us to different places and activities. God has a one-of-a-kind plan for every person to grow in how we conduct ourselves. What’s most important is that we do what the Bible says, that we act in a way that is according to God’s Word:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)
Gospel
It is possible to grow in wisdom, character, and conduct without being a Christian. There are some adults who seem to be wise, who claim to have good character, and who appear to have good conduct. But the Bible is very clear - all are sinners. Everyone does bad things. So for those who grow but do not have Christ - their growth is still not good enough for God. The only way true growth happens is when you are freed from the shackles of your sin. You must grow up in Jesus:
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, (Ephesians 4:15)
Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus died for your sins, and he came back to life again. If you believe this, you can grow in the way that God wants you to grow. You’ll grow up in Christ. You’ll be able to have true wisdom, truly good character, and truly good conduct - because you will have roots that are grounded in God. And you will grow and follow God all the way into Heaven.
Big Idea
God has a one-of-a-kind plan for every person that includes growing up to be like Jesus – in wisdom, in character, and in conduct.
Application
In what areas of your life do you see God growing you? Be sure to make church a priority.
In what areas of your life do you think you can grow more? Spend time reading God’s Word and praying.
Who are the people in your life who have helped you grow? Thank them, especially your parents and disciplers.
Conclusion
I said that God gives you your own personal path to follow. I love to sing Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. God has a one-of-a-kind plan for every person. You don’t know all of the details, but you can trust that God is with you every step along the way.