Coming to Jesus Like a Child
Month 5: Jesus — God With Us · Heart Matters
Today's Scripture
Read together: Mark 10:13–16
13 Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.
Memory Verse
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”— John 10:11 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Psalm 87; Psalm 88; Psalm 89; Psalm 91; Psalm 92; Psalm 93
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 145 of 365 — the LORD as our dwelling place and refuge.)The Heart of It
Parents were bringing their little ones to Jesus. They just wanted Him to touch and bless them. But the disciples tried to shoo the children away. They thought Jesus was too busy and too important for kids. Mark tells us that this made Jesus indignant. He said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them." Then He took them in His arms and blessed them. The world pushed those kids to the back. Jesus pulled them right to the front. You are never too small for Jesus. You are never too wiggly. You are never too unimportant.
Then Jesus said something surprising. He said, "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." He was teaching us how to come in. We come the way a child takes a gift. We come with open hands. We trust. We don't try to earn it. A little one doesn't argue that they deserve a hug. They just run into waiting arms. That is how we come to God. We don't come proud of how good we are. We come glad to be welcomed by how good He is. Grown-ups sometimes make faith complicated. We try to look impressive. But Jesus says the door is low. You have to come small. And here is the good news for every child at your table tonight. Jesus is not too busy for you. He is reaching out His arms right now.
Around the Table
Jesus loves to hold children! You are never too little for Jesus. He wants you to come close.
Let's do it: Hold out your arms wide like Jesus did and give someone a big hug. That's how He welcomes us!
The grown-ups tried to send the kids away. But Jesus said, "Let them come!" He is never too busy for you.
Let's talk: What does it look like to "come to Jesus"? What can you actually do?
Coming like a child means trusting instead of earning. Pride says, "I've got this." A child says, "I need You."
Let's go deeper: In what part of your life are you tempted to impress God instead of just trusting Him?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's the best part of running into someone's arms when they're really happy to see you? That's exactly what Jesus wants us to feel about coming to Him.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some say faith is only for children because it's not "grown-up" thinking. But Jesus praised childlike trust, not childish ignorance. He welcomed honest questions (). The faith we hold up has good reasons behind it. And we're called to share those reasons gently and respectfully ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
It is easy to absorb the disciples' instinct without noticing it. We start treating the spiritual life of our children as a lower priority than the "real" work of the day. Jesus rebuked exactly that reflex. The interruptions, the bedtime questions, the wiggly kid in your lap during devotions are not distractions from kingdom work. In Jesus' eyes, they are kingdom work. And here's the humbling turn. Jesus didn't just say children are welcome. He said you must become like one to enter at all. The same grace your children receive with open hands is the only way you get in too. So lead them not as the polished expert, but as a fellow child running to the Father's arms.
Draws on: Sam Rainer, on discipling children; Tony Evans, Raising Kingdom Kids.
Let's Pray Together
"Jesus, thank You that we are never too small for You, and You are never too busy for us. Help us come to You like trusting children. We come with open hands. We come glad to be loved. In Jesus' name, amen."
I don't come to Jesus by impressing Him. I come like a child, glad to be welcomed.