Back to School (Study, and be approved!) 

The imperative for any young Christian wanting to rise in this world is 'study!' The illogical philosophy, birthed and entrenched in the revivalist movement, of Christians withdrawing from the world and society, is completely opposite the example found in scripture of Jesus' life.

A great observation of this example is found in Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.  

Jesus' own prayer on behalf of His disciples is proof that He doesn't want us withdrawing from society. John 17:13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 
14. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 
15. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 
17. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 
18. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 

Don't take them out of the world, just protect them from the evil one because I am sending them into the world...

So what's the role of the Christian in the world? Jesus said, "Greater things than these..." Now, that wasn't talking about whipping out money-changers or cursing fig trees. Jesus was talking about the moments of life-changing, society-changing, faith-building things that he did; from touching the disenfranchised tax collectors to comforting the afflicted and touching outcasts.

He was talking about moments exercised in love through excellence of the human spirit and accomplishment. Don't forget He WAS flesh! He was human spirit and subject to all the frailties and fears such as is common among us. That is what made Him the perfect Redeemer of mankind...He was human, yet sinless.

Everything about Him confounded contemporary man of the 1st century C.E. 

He moved among them with confidence. He spoke with authority. He socialized at the highest levels of Palestine society with grace and dignity. He conversed on any topic brought up with knowledge and understanding.

We don't know about His tutoring, but He "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."  If, indeed, we are wanting our children to grow in the image of the character of Jesus Christ, we can do no less than encourage their growth and development in every area of their lives. 

This requires study, with diligence! Is there really any reason other than laziness to desire to be less than our natural abilities allow?