Luke 2:40–52
Jesus “Grew, and Waxed Strong in Spirit”
As a young man, the Savior taught the gospel so powerfully that even the teachers in the temple “were astonished at his understanding and answers” (Luke 2:47). This lesson is intended to strengthen your desire to be like Jesus Christ by seeking to develop intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. You will also have an opportunity to evaluate your current goals in the Personal Development: Youth Guidebook (2019) or create new ones.
Focusing on students’ experience. Students learn as they are active in the learning process and live the gospel. While teaching, focus on what a learner must experience and do to invite personal revelation and deepen conversion. As students increase their knowledge and live accordingly, they will become more converted to the Savior and His gospel.
Student preparation: Invite students to review goals they have made as part of the Children and Youth program. Ask them to think about how these goals are helping them become more like Jesus Christ. If possible, have them bring a copy of the Personal Development: Youth Guidebook to class.
Possible Learning Activities
Jesus grew and developed in His youth
Display the following pictures and give students a minute or two to study them. If these pictures are unavailable, ask students to imagine Jesus when He was growing up.
Study these pictures of the Savior in His youth. Think about what the details in each of these pictures suggest about Jesus.
Encourage students to maintain reverence for the Savior as they answer the following question. Another question could be “What would you like to know about the Savior in His youth?”
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How could knowing what Jesus was like when He was young help you as a youth?
We have few details about Jesus’s youth, but those that are recorded can be a great blessing and guide to you as you seek to grow and progress. As you learn about the Savior’s youth, look for truths that can help you know what areas you should focus on as you try to become more like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Read Luke 2:40–52 and Joseph Smith Translation Matthew 3:24–26 (in the Bible appendix), looking for details about what the Savior was like when He was young. You may want to mark what you find.
You may also watch “Young Jesus Teaches in the Temple” (2:30), available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Note that the phrase “waxed strong in spirit” (Luke 2:40; see also Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 3:24 [in the Bible appendix]) means Jesus increased or developed in spiritual strength. It may be helpful to know that according to the Joseph Smith Translation of Luke 2:46 (in Luke 2:46, footnote c), the young Jesus was not listening to the doctors, or scribes, and asking them questions, but “they were hearing him, and asking him questions.”
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What does this account teach you about what Jesus was like when He was young?
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What does verse 52 teach you about the way Jesus grew and developed in His youth?
From Luke 2:52 we learn that we follow the example of Jesus Christ as we improve intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.
Write on the board or display the following words: Intellectually, Physically, Spiritually, and Socially. Then ask the following questions:
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What are some examples from the scriptures in which Jesus Christ demonstrated His capacities in these four areas?
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What are some reasons you would want to follow the Savior’s example in these four areas of life?
This portion of the lesson is designed to help students use the Personal Development: Youth Guidebook to set goals. Be sensitive to the needs of students who are not interested in or familiar with this guidebook. Students who are already working on their development goals may be a good resource in the discussion.
Consider sending a message to parents and Church leaders to inform them that students discussed these goals in seminary. This will help parents and leaders follow up with the youth.
Prophets have challenged the youth of the Church to follow the Savior’s example demonstrated in Luke 2:52, and Church leaders have introduced the Personal Development: Youth Guidebook to help you.
Watch the video “You Are Here to Discover Who You Are” (2:59) and look for ways you can follow the Savior’s example as you set goals as part of the Children and Youth program. This video is available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Depending on the size of the class, students may be divided into four groups to discuss one of the four aspects of development. Encourage students to brainstorm various ways they can grow and develop in these areas and various goals they could set. At the end of the discussion, invite one member of each group to share their ideas.
The vision of the Personal Development: Youth Guidebook is “to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ and help you and your family progress along the covenant path as you meet life’s challenges” (“What is Children and Youth?” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). In addition to the printed version of this guidebook, a digital version is available. You can find the digital version in the Gospel Library and Gospel Living apps.
Following the Savior’s example, you too can grow in a balanced way in these four areas of your life: spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual. Seek the inspiration of the Holy Ghost as you set goals. Listen to promptings that can help you see where the Lord wants to help you focus your development in becoming like Him. You can find some ideas at the following websites:
In your copy of the Personal Development: Youth Guidebook, consider making goals in these four areas of your life. If you have started working on your goals, evaluate how you are doing and make revisions as needed. Discuss your goals with your parents and Church leaders on a regular basis. You can also share your goals and any experiences using #StrivetoBe.
Jesus Christ will help you as you set goals and strive to become like Him. He has promised that as you come unto Him and humbly exercise faith, He will “make weak things become strong” (Ether 12:27).
Invite students who have had positive experiences working on their goals to share their experiences. Encourage students to share their experiences using #StrivetoBe.If none of the students are currently participating in this program, consider inviting a youth leader to class to provide guidance and direction. Select some or all of the following questions for students to answer in their study journals and, if time allows, to discuss as a class.
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What would you like to improve on in this area of your life? Why?
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In what ways will developing in this area help you become more like the Savior?
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What obstacles might you face?
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How will you seek Heavenly Father’s help and guidance?
Commentary and Background Information
How can you start working on your goals and use the Personal Development: Youth Guidebook?
Watch the video “Goal Setting Process” (3:42) to help you set goals. This video is available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
President Bonnie H. Cordon, former Young Women General President, taught:
We start with a little bit at a time. Walking on the covenant path really is just placing one foot in front of the other. Make one goal. Start simply. The guidebooks for youth and children will give us a wonderful pattern to follow. …This is an amazing opportunity to grow as the Savior did! If we’re wondering, “What do I focus on?” we can remember that we are already doing many things to become like Him. Gospel learning is happening in many homes and at church. We’re serving and participating in activities. This new effort is simply a way for us to be intentional and accountable about acting on what we are learning—and to focus that growth in the four areas that the Savior grew: spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually (see Luke 2:52). This will bring joy, peace, and lasting happiness to us all as we follow the Savior!
(Bonnie H. Cordon, in “Children and Youth: Starting Strong,” Ensign, Jan. 2020, 54, 55)
Supplemental Learning Activity
Jesus can be found in the temple
Display a picture of Jesus teaching in the temple and a picture of the temple nearest you. Just as Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple, we can seek Him in the temple too. Consider sharing the following statements and discussing ways we can find the Savior in the temple:
The temple is the house of the Lord. Everything in the temple points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
(David A. Bednar, “Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 103)
The temple is His house, and He should be uppermost in our minds and hearts—the majestic doctrine of Christ pervading our very being just as it pervades the temple ordinances—from the time we read the inscription over the front door to the very last moment we spend in the building. Amid all the wonder we encounter, we are to see, above all else, the meaning of Jesus in the temple.
(Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Message, the Meaning, and the Multitude,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 7)