Since a child was renamed a PAIDIA at eight days of age, it revealed their attitude that children were to be trained from the youngest stage of infancy.

The religious education of children began as soon as they could speak. The child's earliest vocabulary included doctrinal terms. This early religious education was done by the mother more often than not. Of course, our Lord could not have found a greater teacher than his own mother - she was a great believer. Instruction in the Law fell to the father of the house - it was his duty to instruct the children in the keeping of the Law.

The schooling of children was almost exclusively religious by nature. General education and vocational training came later. This religious training took place in the local synagogue under the tutelage of a Rabbi. The purpose of these schools was as follows (Edersheim, pp. 231-232):

to keep children from all contact with vice;

	to train them in humility, even when the bitterest wrong had been received;
	to show sin in its repulsiveness, rather than to terrify by its consequences;
	to train to strict truthfulness;
	to avoid all that might lead to disagreeable or indelicate thoughts;
	to do all this without showing partiality, without either undue severity, or laxity of discipline, and with judicious increase of study and work with careful attention to thoroughness in acquiring knowledge.

Until age ten the Bible was exclusively the textbook, from ten to fifteen the Mishnah, which was the traditional oral teachings of the Jews. It was largely philosophical by nature. Its equivalent would be systematic theology.

After age fifteen the young man could divert his studies to vocation or continue with his higher religious education. This determination was made on the basis of the aptitude of the individual.

Perhaps because of the strong Pharasaic influence, the first book studied by children was Leviticus, the laws and ordinances for Israel's spiritual and national life.

The home was the seat of the ritual.

Many times each day the child was reminded of the importance of God's Word through the mezuzah, which was attached to the door frame of every Jewish home. This device held a small parchment the outside of which was inscribed with the name of God. On the inside was written Deut 6:4-9 and 11:13-21. (Schindler's list). The Jews would touch the mezuzah every time they passed the threshold, and then kiss the fingers that touched it as a reminder of the importance of application.

Every sabbath there were preparations made by the family to remind them of their responsibility in relationship with God.

The yearly schedule of feasts was a great aide in teaching the character and plan of God. Since it was on a yearly schedule the level of inculcation was high. Think about our holiday schedule.

It is clear from Christ's ministry that He knew the Old Testament far better than any of His peers.

Remember from our dispensational constants two things:

That spiritual growth is always through faith perception and testing through adversity and prosperity. This is exactly how Christ grew strong. That he was being filled with wisdom meant that the perception and inculcation had to take place beforehand.

That the character and sufficiency of God are always the issue. And so they were for Christ during His childhood. Imitation of God's character and reliance on Him are the very essence of sophia.

There is no charge for Grace Notes Materials. You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:

Grace Notes