What's in a name?Many cultures in our world have practiced giving a name that is representative of their life or actions they have undertaken. Today in America we see little of this because our names have become a legal entity. Civil governments need to track U. S. citizens. We have both a legal name (your name) and a series of numbers to help identify who we are (Social Security Number 000-00-0000 e.g.).
During Bible times name were descriptive, this is seen in both the Old and New Testament.
1. Adam, meaning earth man or red; Genesis 1:26-31/Genesis 2:7
2. Eve, life or life-giver; Genesis 2:21-25/Genesis 3:20
3. Moses, saved from the water; Exodus 2/Hebrew 11:23
4. Peter, a stone or small rock; but Peter had another name before Jesus started calling him by the name Peter! Ask, does anyone know what that name was? Clue, it starts with a “S” and ends with a “N”. Matthew 16:17-18/John 1:42
5. Simon, or (Hebrew) Shimeon, “a hearkening”. Cephas is the Greek equivalent.
6. Paul, meaning “little”. This Apostle of Christ’s birth name was “Saul” which means ask for or sought for. Acts 13:9
Even your name has value of meaning to your parents, a brother or sister or your grandparents. We seem to put characteristics with a name that represents a person and their personality. So it is possible when someone calls your name, they may have happy thoughts, or sad thoughts immediately upon hearing your name.
1. Adam, meaning earth man or red; Genesis 1:26-31/Genesis 2:7
2. Eve, life or life-giver; Genesis 2:21-25/Genesis 3:20
3. Moses, saved from the water; Exodus 2/Hebrew 11:23
4. Peter, a stone or small rock; but Peter had another name before Jesus started calling him by the name Peter! Ask, does anyone know what that name was? Clue, it starts with a “S” and ends with a “N”. Matthew 16:17-18/John 1:42
5. Simon, or (Hebrew) Shimeon, “a hearkening”. Cephas is the Greek equivalent.
6. Paul, meaning “little”. This Apostle of Christ’s birth name was “Saul” which means ask for or sought for. Acts 13:9
Even your name has value of meaning to your parents, a brother or sister or your grandparents. We seem to put characteristics with a name that represents a person and their personality. So it is possible when someone calls your name, they may have happy thoughts, or sad thoughts immediately upon hearing your name.
Ask the question; When you have been really good and someone calls your name out, how do people feel as they hear your name? Ask the question; well if you have been really bad, how would they feel?
The name of Jesus should always make us feel safe, loved and not alone. Jesus means Savior.
Ask: What does a Savior do? Read Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:8-20. Explain to them that we all need rescued!
For further reading: Emmanuel, Isaiah 7:14, 8:8, Matthew 1:23 “God with us” Ask; What kind of name are you making for yourself? Proverbs 22:1
Conclude with a simple prayer. (ask one of your children to pray)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment