Date: January 19, 2025
Sub Theme: Concept of Child – (3)
Topic: Biblical Concept of a Child (2) An Infant
Text: Luke 2:40-51

Aims

1. To study the characteristics of a child pertaining to their needs.
2. To pay more attention to things that can aid their growth.

Introduction

An infant is a child from birth till adolescent age. The earthly parents of Jesus provided all the amenities necessary for his physical growth, such as good food, shelter, and clothing. Moreover, they never failed to provide for his spiritual well-being by taking him to Jerusalem for spiritual rites. This made Jesus grow and become strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. As Christians and parents, we need not allow the present-day challenges to shift our focus from our heavenly mandate of making provision for our children’s physical and spiritual needs. Our study today will beam more light on how to achieve these.

Study Guide

1. Mention some physical signs that differentiate the infant from the adolescent stage of a child.
   • 1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Peter 2:2
2. What lessons can we derive from the incident in Luke 2:43-46?
3. As believers, pinpoint those things that can jeopardize our growth both physically and spiritually and how best to avoid them.
   • Luke 2:40; James 3:14-16
4. What is the importance of teaching Christ to our young ones?
   • Proverbs 22:6

Conclusion

As Christians, let us ask ourselves how often we visit our children in their schools. We may face numerous challenges that make it difficult or impossible to meet our children’s needs. However, our prayers, perseverance, and steadfastness in faith shall definitely enable us.

Food for Thought

Build a child today; he will build the nation tomorrow.

Memory Verse

Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

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Date: January 5, 2025
Sub Theme: Concept of Child – 1
Topic: The Universal Perspectives of a Child
Text: Genesis 16:11; Genesis 21:8; 1 Samuel 1:20-27

Aims

1. To explain the universal concept of a child.
2. To discuss the importance of accepting the gospel like a child.
3. To discuss the positive attributes of a child that Christians need to emulate.

Introduction

In biological science, a child is defined as a person between birth and puberty. In legal terms, the term “child” refers to anyone below the age of majority, which is 18 years in most nations—a definition upheld by UNICEF. Biblically, the terms “child” and “children” are mentioned over 1,500 times in the Bible (KJV) and always refer to a baby in the womb or a person between the weaning age and puberty. In our text, Jesus shows His displeasure at His disciples for rebuking the children who came to Him.

He affirms that His kingdom belongs to them and to those who receive the gospel like a little child. The child has always held a special place in literary imagination, representing qualities such as innocence, humility, simplicity, purity, receptivity, freshness, emptiness, vulnerability, freedom, and potentiality. This study should inspire us to display the positive attributes of a child in our daily lives.

Study Guide

1. From the study today, analyze the universal and biblical perspectives of a child.
   • Genesis 16:11; Genesis 21:8
2. According to our text and other biblical passages, what are the basic rights of a child?
   • 1 Samuel 1:22-24; Proverbs 22:6
3. With reference to Mark 10:15, explain what it means to accept the gospel like a child.
4. Discuss some of the ways Christians can emulate the positive attributes of a child to advance the kingdom of God.
   • Matthew 18:1-5

Conclusion

The child signifies the goal of human development and represents that stage of life in which the old person, transformed, acquires a new simplicity. Just as children grow, mature, and develop a sense of devotion to their parents, Christians are expected to grow into maturity in their walk with God and remain devoted to Him.

Food for Thought

You must become as little children in your walk with God.

Memory Verse

Mark 10:15 – “Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

Watch Today’s Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional:

Date: January 12, 2025
Sub Theme: Concept of Child – 2
Topic: Biblical Concept of a Child – (1)
Text: Genesis 25:21-26

Aims

1. To explain the biblical concept of a child as a baby in the womb.
2. To discuss the biblical injunction on abortion.
3. To discuss the care of the baby in the womb.

Introduction

The biblical doctrine of life is that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16). Thus, the biblical meaning of a child is a human being between the stages of conception (baby in the womb) and puberty. In our text, the Lord opened the womb of Rebecca, and she conceived two children of promise, representing two nations in her womb. Scripture affirms that all human life has been created by God and in the image of God. This means that every child in the womb is a product of God’s work (Isaiah 44:2, Ecclesiastes 11:5).

The child in the womb is a universal symbol of future potentiality, which is why he/she needs special care, nurture, and utter dependence on his/her mother for growth and survival. Today’s study should inspire you to value every child in the womb and to treat the child in the womb with the utmost care.

Study Guide

1. According to our study, what is the biblical concept of a child?
   • Genesis 25:23, Genesis 38:27, Isaiah 44:2
2. Is the child in the womb a living being or an ordinary unliving thing?
   • Isaiah 49:1, Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:41, Luke 1:44
3. What is the biblical injunction on abortion?
   • Genesis 9:5-6, Exodus 20:13, Exodus 21:22-25, Matthew 18:14
4. How can we appreciate the gift of human life in the womb?
   • Judges 13:12-14, Luke 1:15, Luke 1:42

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, God affirms the value of every human life—from children in the womb to the elderly. Therefore, every human life in the womb should be appreciated and not destroyed because the child in the womb represents incredible power, vitality, persistence toward growth, and hope for the world.

Food for Thought

Every human life in the womb is of great value.

Memory Verse

Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

Watch Today’s Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional: