Rite of Passage Parenting by Walker Moore
31 Day Purity Challenge from Setting Captives Free
From Rite of Passage Parenting, p 59 and following...
The book of 1 Timothy contains a verse that gives us a great definition of the other side (pre-rite of passage) of the rite of passage event and shows how people know that little Johnny is an adult.
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.1 Timothy 4:12 NASB
That verse sets forth the five key marks that help us prepare a child for a rite of passage.
At just ten years of age, Jesus would have had to memorize the first five books of the Bible in their entirety. That was his beth zaphar (Beth Safar), one of the marks of maturity that Jewish culture imposed upon its members (boys;-)) at that time. Similarly, we need to place marks in our children's lives that help them move toward a rite of passage event and celebration. These steps are an important part of the rite of passage preparation. They help us prepare kids' hearts and lives for the journey toward capable, responsible, self-reliant adulthood.
(according to another author, the Beth Safar was the elementary learning (all boys did this) in preparation to become a rabbi...if they completed this, they went on to discipleship school (Beth Talmid) where they memorized the rest of the Old Testament...at that point they would go to a rabbi and try to become his disciple.)
Words
At twelve years of age, Jesus knew how to
- ask the right questions
- gather information
- process what He had heard
- interact intelligently with adults around Him
Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. Luke 2:46-47
- I'll know you're an (emergent) adult when you put away childish things, including your speech.
Actions
Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. Luke 2:46-47
In this setting, Jesus is sitting...listening... and asking questions to get more understanding. Striving to be appropriate in a way that adults would not feel that you are drawing negative attention to yourself. Trying to glean knowledge.
- I'll know you're an (emergent) adult when you begin to conduct yourself in an acceptable, appropriate manner.
Love
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB
- I'll know you're ready for a rite of passage event when you make decisions ensuring that others' needs are met before your own.
Faith(fulness)
He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Luke 16:10 NASB
- I'll know you're an (emergent) adult when you can be trusted to complete a task or ministry...ie, something you have committed to...that you follow through with your commitments consistently.
(from the 31 Day Purity Challenge at Setting Captives Free...they have a 31 day sexual purity challenge that is an online course...free...may have to look into that later, but I liked that they at least here, said that purity was more than just sexual)
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 NASB
Areas to develop purity:
- Relational: (friends, parents/family, God)
Purity demonstrated in your relationships would mean freedom from lying, deception, selfishness, and disobedience. Purity is truthful, loving and selfless. - Academic:
Academic purity would involve no cheating!
(additionally, using your time and doing your best?) - Athletic:
Athletic purity involves no cheating, no dishonest gain, no selfishness, lying, or deception. (additionally, being a good sport?) - Entertainment:
Purity here consists of no activities or pictures (still or video) that tempt you or try to display impurity as something good. - Work:
Purity at work involves no gossip, laziness, deception, or disobedience. - Sexual:
This consists of no pre-marital sex, no impure thoughts, activities, or actions; not treating others (or allowing someone to treat you) selfishly; nothing inconsistent with God’s design for you and your body. - I know you're an (emerging) adult when you demonstrate moral purity and the message shines through your life.
Bottom line to me on these things...I don't think we will have arrived in any of these areas by 13 (or even 46;-)) but the mindset needs to be more of thinking toward self government and wise thinking. There is no point in moving forward if these areas aren't even being attempted. Now to get some way to measure for progress...
