The concept of being nurtured is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's care and provision for His people, as well as the responsibility of believers to nurture one another in faith and love. The term "nurtured" encompasses the ideas of care, growth, and development, both physically and spiritually.

Divine Nurture

God's nurturing nature is evident throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, God is portrayed as a shepherd who cares for His flock. Psalm 23:1-2 states, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." This imagery of a shepherd highlights God's provision and guidance, ensuring that His people are well-cared for and nurtured.

In the New Testament, Jesus embodies divine nurture. He describes Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11 : "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." Jesus' sacrificial love and care for His followers exemplify the ultimate form of nurturing, providing spiritual sustenance and protection.

Parental Nurture

The Bible also emphasizes the role of parents in nurturing their children. Proverbs 22:6 instructs, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse underscores the importance of guiding children in the ways of the Lord, ensuring their spiritual growth and moral development.

Ephesians 6:4 further advises, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This passage highlights the balance between discipline and nurturing, encouraging parents to foster an environment where children can grow in faith and character.

Spiritual Nurture within the Church

The early church is depicted as a nurturing community, where believers supported and encouraged one another. Acts 2:42 describes the early Christians: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This commitment to communal life and spiritual growth reflects the nurturing environment that the church is called to provide.

Paul, in his letters, often speaks of nurturing fellow believers. In 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 , he writes, "Instead, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children. We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives as well." Paul's metaphor of a nursing mother illustrates the tender care and dedication required in nurturing others in the faith.

Nurture through the Word of God

The Word of God is a primary means of spiritual nurture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." Scripture serves as a tool for growth, equipping believers to mature in their faith and live out their calling.

In summary, the biblical concept of being nurtured encompasses God's care for His people, the responsibility of parents to guide their children, the church's role in fostering spiritual growth, and the transformative power of Scripture. Through these means, believers are nurtured in their faith, growing in love and righteousness.(imp. & p. p.) of Nurture.397. anatrepho -- to nurse up, nourish
... educate. Word Origin from ana and trepho Definition to nurse up, nourish NASB
Word Usage brought (1), nurtured (2). bring up, nourish. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/397.htm - 6k

Whether the Soul is Incorporeal.
... But it is not thus nurtured. For if it is nurtured, it is not nurtured corporeally,
like the body, but incorporeally; for it is nurtured by reason. ...
/.../dubious or spurious writings of gregory thaumaturgus/iv whether the soul is.htm

The Poor Man's Friend
... need to be led into the paths of righteousness; we need on the outset that grace
should be implanted; when implanted, we need that it be nurtured; when nurtured ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the poor mans friend.htm

Conclusion
... Dionysius, nurtured in philosophy, passed beyond Philosophy without obscurantism,
as St. Paul, nurtured in the Law, passed beyond the Law without disobedience. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolt/dionysius the areopagite/ix conclusion.htm

Home as a Nursery.
... The germ of the man is there; but it has yet to be developed. Its indwelling
life must be nurtured with tender and assiduous care. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xiii home as a.htm

Love
... Love was born in the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus sweat great drops of blood,
it was nurtured in Pilate's hall, where Jesus bared his back to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/love.htm

Youthful Confessors
... of men everywhere, and he had only to go out into the streets or the nearest barrack
in Babylon to see what thews and muscles could be nurtured on vegetable ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/youthful confessors.htm

The Fig-Tree.
... not whether you have grown on the wayside or in the forest, been nurtured in solitude
or in a crowd, on the mountain-height or in the lowly valley: all will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xix the fig-tree.htm

The Believer a New Creature
... Without Christ, this is where we all are born and nurtured, and even though we hear
the gospel, and the Bible be in all our houses, and even though we use a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 15 1869/the believer a new creature.htm

part i.
... microscopic tribes. All organic existences are preserved in being, nurtured,
grow and mature, according to certain laws. Even the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part i.htm

Special Prayers.
... us in all useful knowledge, we pray Thee, bless them with strength and patience
so to guide our feeble footsteps that, being warned, nurtured, comforted, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/special prayers.htm

Nurtured (3 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Nurture. Multi-Version Concordance Nurtured (3 Occurrences). Acts
7:20 At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. ...
/n/nurtured.htm - 7k

Well-nurtured (1 Occurrence)
Well-nurtured. Well-nourished, Well-nurtured. Well-off .
Multi-Version Concordance Well-nurtured (1 Occurrence). Psalms ...
/w/well-nurtured.htm - 6k

Nurture (1 Occurrence)

/n/nurture.htm - 7k

Nut (1 Occurrence)

/n/nut.htm - 7k

Well-off (1 Occurrence)
Well-off. Well-nurtured, Well-off. Well-ordered . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See NAS). Well-nurtured, Well-off. Well-ordered . Reference Bible.
/w/well-off.htm - 6k

Well-nourished (1 Occurrence)
Well-nourished. Well-nigh, Well-nourished. Well-nurtured . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (See NIV). Well-nigh, Well-nourished. Well-nurtured . Reference
/w/well-nourished.htm - 6k

Mother (2641 Occurrences)
... child. 2. (n.) That which has produced or nurtured anything; source of birth
or origin; generatrix. 3. (n.) An old woman or matron. ...
/m/mother.htm - 17k

Adorn (13 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Psalms 144:12 Then our sons will be like well-nurtured plants,
our daughters like pillars carved to adorn a palace. (WEB NIV). ...
/a/adorn.htm - 12k

Carved (36 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 144:12 Then our sons will be like
well-nurtured plants, our daughters like pillars carved to adorn a palace. ...
/c/carved.htm - 17k

Subapostolic
... As the flesh decays, however, a "worm is generated, which is nurtured from the dead
bird's moisture and putteth forth wings." The fable is mentioned by ...
/s/subapostolic.htm - 38k

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