May 22
Lesson 12
CHILDLIKE FAITH
DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 11:1–9
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 18:15–17; Mark 10:13–16
LUKE 18:15–17
15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
MARK 10:16
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Photo: Digital Vision/Photodisc/Thinkstock
KEY VERSE
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
—Luke 18:17
THE GIFT OF FAITH
Unit 3: Fullness of Faith
LESSONS 9–13
LESSON AIMS
1. Retell the story of Jesus’ blessing the children.
2. Explain why Jesus used children as an example of the ideal candidate for the kingdom of God.
3. Examine himself or herself for the absence of childlike faith and make a plan for change.
LESSON OUTLINE
A. The Gift and the Burden of Children
B. Lesson Background
I. Jesus’ Correction (LUKE 18:15–17)
A. Disciples Forbid (v. 15)
The Ultimate Rejection of Babies
B. Children Welcomed (v. 16a)
Bringing Children to Jesus
C. Kingdom Illustrated (vv. 16b, 17)
II. Jesus’ Action (MARK 10:16)
A. Holding Children (v. 16a)
B. Blessing Children (v. 16b)
Conclusion
A. Jesus Loves the Children
B. Jesus Loves the Childlike
C. Prayer
D. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Deuteronomy
Due-ter-ahn-uh-me.
Galatians
Guh-lay-shunz.
Gentile
Jen-tile.
Pharisee
Fair-ih-see.
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What Do You Think?
What are some ways a church may unintentionally restrict access to Jesus today? How do we prevent this from happening?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding the Elders Generation (those born before 1946)
■ Regarding Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964)
■ Regarding Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1983)
■ Regarding the Millennials Generation (those born between 1984 and 2002)
■ Regarding Generation Z (those born after 2002)
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
What are some ways your church can do better at attracting and ministering to families with young children?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Considering staffing priorities
■ Considering funding priorities
■ Considering unwritten expectations
■ Other
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What Do You Think?
How do we keep the little-child aspect that Jesus desires of us while not remaining spiritual infants in the process?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Matthew 21:16
■ Luke 10:21
■ 1 Corinthians 3:1–3; 14:20
■ Ephesians 4:12–15
■ Hebrews 5:11–6:3
■ 1 Peter 1:14
■ Other
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
What role should physical contact play in ministry to children today? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Considering parental desires
■ Considering church policy
■ Considering cultural expectations
■ Considering federal, state, and local law
■ Other
______________________________________________________
What Do You Think?
What are some ways the church can bestow Christ’s blessings on children today?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In educational ministries
■ In relationship structures
■ In service projects
■ Other
______________________________________________________
Visual for Lesson 12. Start a discussion by pointing to this visual as you ask, “What are some characteristics of being childish vs. being childlike?”
God wants our trust. God wants us to be humble. God wants a childlike faith. On some of my darkest days as an adult, I have sung those songs “Jesus loves the little children” and “Jesus loves me, this I know” from my childhood to remind myself that I am still loved by the Savior of the world. I am still a child in His kingdom.
If children ruled the world, the result would be chaos. If children led the church, things would be a mess. But if the world and the church were led by responsible, spiritually mature adults who had childlike faith and humble spirits, what a difference we would see! What will you do in the week ahead to make that difference a reality?
VISUALS FOR THESE LESSONS
The visual pictured in each lesson (see example above) is a small reproduction of a large, full-color poster included in the Adult Resources packet for the Spring Quarter. That packet also contains the very useful Presentation Tools CD for teacher use. Order No. 020039216 from your supplier.
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