Establish the need: Can we learn from children?
Purpose: This session we will explore five things we can learn from children so that we can live out a life that glorify God more.
- Kids teach you conduct matters (Proverbs 20:11)
- Kids teach us humility matters (Matthew 18:2-6)
- Kids teach us about God’s love (Matthew 18:10)
- Kids teach us the importance of the kingdom of God (Mark 10:13-16)
- Kids teach us to praise God (Psalm 8:2 see Matthew 21:15-16)
Kids teach you conduct matters:
“It is by his deeds that a boy distinguishes himself, If his conduct is pure and right.” (Proverbs 20:11)
Proof
- The Hebrew for “boy” is “Naar” that convey someone who is young.
- Here we see here that character matters.
- For the case of the youth, his deeds makes one set apart.
- Likewise as Christians we know that God wants us to be “holy,” which means to be set apart: but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Practice
- Are you able to notice how kids can be distinguished from others in their behavior, whether for good or bad? Likewise know that your behavior matters too!
- Are you living your life in a way that people can see you are set apart for God and Christ? We should pursue holiness!
Kids teach us humility matters:
“And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, 3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matthew 18:2-6)
Proof
- In the context Jesus’ disciples asked him a question:: but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
- Jesus’ example was to bring up a child as an illustration in verse 3.
- Next Jesus tells His disciples that people must change to be like children in verse 4; an obvious example of comparison to children are being made!
- In what ways are we to be like children? Verse 4 indicate it is when someone “humble himself”
- This was serious and important enough about the need to be humble that Jesus said in verse 4 that without humility “you will not enter the kingdom of heaven”
- If one is humble will also humbly accept others; that include receiving children as verses 5-6 emphasize.
Practice
- Do you see the importance of being humble? Jesus thought this was important!
- Do you observe how children can be humble as an example for us? One way children show their humility is trusting and depending upon others. Likewise we are to trust and depend on God. How are you doing with this in your life?
Kids teach us about God’s love:
“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
Proof
- Jesus here is talking about kids when He said “little ones”
- He tells His audience that in regards to children not to look down upon them: “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones” (Matthew 18:10a)
- Why is that? The next clause begins with “for” which tells us why.
- The reason is God has angels watching them which stresses the care and love God has for children.
- We must realize here that God loves in general and loves children in particular in this passage.
Practice
- Do you need to be reminded that God is a God of love? The Bible teaches so: John 3:16, etc.
- Be reminded that when we see kids and love them that more than our love, God loves them more than we do!
- Go ahead and look up and study and meditate on verses on God’s love. We need to know God loves us as a motivation to love Him back and also as motivation to obey God!
Kids teach us the importance of the kingdom of God:
“And they were bringing children to Him so that He would touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.” (Mark 10:13-16)
Proof
- In verse 13 people were bringing kids to Jesus to be blessed but the disciples of Jesus hindered that by rebuking the people doing so.
- This action by Jesus provoked a strong reaction in Jesus in verse 14:
- There was anger: “He was indignant” (verse 14)
- Jesus also allow them permission for kids to come to Him: “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them” (verse 14)
- Also Jesus gave the reason: “, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (verse 14)
- Jesus emphasized the importance of a child like faith in verse 15.
- So Jesus blesses the kids in verse 16.
Practice
- May we see the importance of the Kingdom of God.
- May we also see the importance of not hindering people from the Kingdom of God.
- But also importantly may we see the importance of being used by God to lead others to the Kingdom of God. How are you doing in this area?
Kids teach us to praise God (Psalm 8:2 see Matthew 21:15-16)
Proof
- God shows the importance of children even with the task of praising God: “From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have established strength Because of Your enemies, To do away with the enemy and the revengeful.” (Psalm 8:2)
- This is reiterated by Jesus: “But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant, 16 and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus *said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?”” (Matthew 21:15-16)
- In the context Jesus faced opposition who didn’t want children to praising Jesus in verse 15.
- So Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 against the religious leaders in verse 16.
- Also I think this suggests that Jesus is God in how Jesus used Psalm 8:2.
Practice
- Do you see the importance of praising God?
- Do you prioritize worship of God in your daily life?
- For those with family, do you prioritize family worship with your spouse and children?
There is so much to learn from children. Thanks for the great overview. Blessings from mighty King Jesus.
Reblogged this on moreinkpleaseblog.
What a blessing! This sadly is an often ignored subject, yet our Lord and Saviour proclaimed the need to have uncomplicated faith like a child. Thank you brother.
I agree 100%, Alan!
Greetings I am very happy to have found you here, I am a sick widow suffering from a chronic breast cancer , please send me an email then we can share the words of God even share more prayers together, my email ( lyvette852@gmail.com ) God bless you , Mrs Yvette R Longman
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Thank you, Jim, for these sets of verses that reminds us to see things in the perspective/lenses of a child and GOD’s divine providence for them (and us) as we follow CHRIST our Savior in faith. This is probably the reason why both John (1 John 2:1) and Peter (1 Peter 1:14) addressed us as “little children” i.e. pure and not (to be) jaded by the world in our acceptance of JESUS’ Lordship in our lives. May our perspective and acceptance in faith in the Triune GOD be like that of an innocent child. GOD bless you, Nancy, and the kids!
As someone who doesn’t have kids, kids teach me how to believe without seeing. They teach me how to trust. Childlike faith is a requirement in the kingdom of God. Thank you for this amazing lesson!
Thanks for reading this! I finished this outline at 4 Am and it’s for our Couple’s Bible study tonight which meets once a month! Will be a busy weekend if you can pray for my studies and also efficient use of time so I can also do prep for the special online show on Purgatory I’m doing for an apologetics show in the Philippines next week! How is your prayer request that we are praying for?
Much better thank you!!! I will pray for this as well as I am praying earnestly for your folks salvation!
These are good lessons. Of course the Bible was written at a time when children were seen as less important and less valuable than adults. Since the Victorian Age, we’ve lived through a reversal in which children are vastly important and people can be persuaded to do almost anything for the sake of the children. This change can skew our perception of what these verses mean. But you have pointed to the core meanings of these verses without falling into idolatry of the children, as so many do. J.
What amazes me is how the Bible Jesus read (OT) commanded God’s Word to be taught to children, each generation. While the Greco-Roman world valued children little (ie exposure), Christians and Jews understood their faith was one generation away from being extinct. I need to be more mindful not only to share Christ with children but to learn from them and be able to answer their questions in a manner in which they can understand.
Thanks for this outline! We are taught and trained to be self-dependent and it goes against our pride to admit we need a Savior. Works righteousness religionists say it’s the ultimate in arrogance to claim to be saved, when it’s actually the ultimate in child-like humbleness to trust in Christ.
Amen this speaks against our self-righteousness and works righteousness mentality, how we need the Gospel! Speaking of the Gospel I’m going over to visit my parents today, pray I be able to evangelize today to my parents with my kids there!
I’m praying you’re able to sow some Gospel seed with your parents!
Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes again! Amen!
Praise and Glory to our God.
Glory to God indeed, makes one looks at kids more precious in light of these truths from Scripture doesn’t it? Or maybe its me with my own sanctification. Have a blessed weekend Maw Maw!
Greetings I am very happy to have found you here, I am a sick widow suffering from a chronic breast cancer , please send me an email then we can share the words of God even share more prayers together, my email ( lyvette852@gmail.com ) God bless you , Mrs Yvette R Longman
Will email you, Sweetie.
I am waiting for your email in the Morning, I can’t wait to share prayer’s with you OK thank you for the reply.
Amazing
30 years ago when my children were young, I noticed they often chose joy, like laughing wearing mom’s shoes or dad’s boots. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 KJV
Years later when it was my duty and privilege to walk a couple small dogs, I noticed the same sort of things. Those two insisted on extracting every possible erg of joy from each instant of being outside. 🙂
Thank you for sharing. May we be as little children in our faith.
Amen! How was your Lord’s Day sister Crissy? Still Saturday night here in California working on sermon prep…
Sunday evening here.
I am doing a memorabilia book for one of my brothers who will move far away from me next month . I also want to write a poem for him.
Praying for your sermon prep.
Very well laid out discussion. Our children and grandchildren bless us in so many ways. God uses these relationships to teach we adults. At the same time, we help God to bring His joy to these young and maturing children.
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Wonderfully written! Thank you for sharing… Can’t wait to share with my wife!
Aww thanks Nicholas for reading this and sharing with your wife. Blessings to you. Glad you found this post, did you find us under a WordPress tag/topic?
I did! Try to browse through each day and find new people to support 💙
I really enjoyed this. As a Christian mom of three young girls. Ages 2, 3 and 7 I pray they grow up to be decent and fearful of God and his word.
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Thank you for sharing! Definitely agree
My Beloved
I am grateful for all your prayers and thy Lord will continue to do a new thing in your life. i pray for you now and says after me ….”Lord, grant me tenacious winsome courage as I go through this day. When I am tempted to give up, help me to keep going. Grant me a cheerful spirit when things don’t go my way. And give me courage to do whatever needs to be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I have some important thing to discuss with you and I’ll appreciate your completely attention till you have accomplished charity mission for the people around you. You can send me a private message on melodyb556@gmail.com
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Be Merciful.
Your Mother In Christ.
Very motherly comment. It seems your website is not working or is block?
Great unique presentation. Very informative.
I’m humbled reading this
I would have loved to be married and with children in my twenties. It didn’t work out for me. So if it ever does I’ll be an old mom. 😔