What Does Jesus Say About Children and Faith?

When you think about faith and children, you might picture Sunday school stories and innocent prayers.

But what does Jesus actually say about children and faith?

Let’s dive into the teachings of Jesus and explore how they highlight the profound connection between children and faith.

The Importance of Childlike Faith

1. The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to Them

One of the most well-known verses about children and faith is found in the Gospel of Matthew.

Jesus says,

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14, NIV).

Here, Jesus emphasizes that the kingdom of heaven is open to those who exhibit a childlike quality of faith.

2. Be Like Children to Enter the Kingdom

In another instance, Jesus calls a child to stand among His disciples and says,

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3, NIV).

Jesus isn’t saying we should be childish but rather childlike in our faith.

Children are naturally trusting, humble, and open-hearted.

These are the qualities Jesus wants us to emulate.

3. A Warning Against Causing Them to Stumble

Jesus also gives a stern warning against leading children astray.

He says,

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea” (Matthew 18:6, NIV).

This shows how precious children are to Jesus and the serious responsibility adults have in guiding them rightly.

Lessons from Jesus’ Interactions with Children

1. Welcoming Children

Jesus was always welcoming to children.

In Mark 10:13-16, people were bringing little children to Jesus for Him to bless them, but the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus was indignant and said,

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

He then took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.

This story shows Jesus’ love and openness towards children.

2. Healing Children

Jesus performed miracles that involved children, showing His compassion and power.

One notable example is the raising of Jairus’ daughter. In Mark 5:41-42, Jesus takes her by the hand and says,

“Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).

Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around.

This story highlights Jesus’ willingness to perform miracles for the sake of children and their families.

3. Teaching About Humility

Children often exhibit humility naturally.

Jesus uses a child to teach about humility to His disciples.

In Matthew 18:4, after placing a child among them, Jesus says,

“Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

This teaches that greatness in the kingdom of heaven is not about status or power but about humility and simplicity.

3. Jesus Involved Children In Miracles

In the Gospel of John, Jesus performed a miracle by using a young boy’s simple offering of five barley loaves and two small fish to feed a multitude of over five thousand people.

This act is described in John 6:9-11, where the disciple Andrew mentions, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated as much as they wanted, doing the same with the fish.

This miracle highlights the childlike faith Jesus values, as the boy’s willingness to offer his meager provisions symbolizes trust and innocence.

Jesus’ use of the boy’s gift to perform a grand miracle underscores the power of simple, genuine faith and how even the smallest acts of generosity can be multiplied through divine intervention.

The Role of Faith in a Child’s Life

1. Early Faith Formation

Early childhood is a crucial time for faith formation.

Children are like sponges, absorbing everything around them.

Proverbs 22:6 advises,

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Encouraging children in their faith journey from a young age sets a foundation that lasts a lifetime.

2. Faith Through Family and Community

Faith isn’t just taught; it’s caught.

Children learn about faith by observing the adults around them.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs,

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Creating a faith-filled environment at home and within the community helps nurture a child’s faith.

Practical Ways to Foster Childlike Faith

1. Encourage Questions

Children are naturally curious.

Encourage their questions about faith, God, and the Bible.

This helps them develop a deeper understanding and personal connection to their beliefs.

2. Model Faith

Be a role model.

Show your faith through your actions, words, and decisions.

Children are keen observers and often emulate the behaviors of the adults they look up to.

3. Engage in Faith Activities

Involve children in faith activities like prayer, Bible reading, and church attendance.

Make these activities engaging and age-appropriate to foster a positive experience with faith.

4. Provide a Safe Space

Create a safe space for children to express their faith.

Let them share their thoughts, doubts, and experiences without fear of judgment.

This builds a trusting relationship and a secure foundation for their faith journey.

Stories That Illustrate Faith and Children

1. Samuel’s Early Call

Samuel’s story is a powerful example of a child’s faith.

In 1 Samuel 3, God calls Samuel when he is just a boy serving in the temple.

Samuel’s response,

“Speak, for your servant is listening,”

shows his openness and readiness to serve God from a young age.

2. The Boy with the Loaves and Fishes

Another touching story we mentioned involves a young boy who played a key role in one of Jesus’ miracles.

In John 6:9-11, a boy offers his five loaves and two fishes, which Jesus then uses to feed over 5,000 people.

This story highlights how a child’s simple act of faith can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

Conclusion

Jesus’ teachings about children and faith reveal a profound truth: faith should be pure, trusting, and humble like that of a child.

Children hold a special place in Jesus’ heart, and their faith is a model for all believers.

By fostering childlike faith in ourselves and nurturing it in the children around us, we can grow closer to the kingdom of heaven.

Remember, in your faith journey, embrace the qualities of a child – trust, humility, and openness.

Encourage the children in your life to explore their faith, ask questions, and grow in their relationship with God.

After all, as Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

FAQs: What Does Jesus Say About Children and Faith?

1. Why does Jesus say the kingdom of heaven belongs to children?

Jesus emphasizes the qualities of children—trust, humility, and openness—as essential traits for entering the kingdom of heaven.

He highlights that these childlike qualities are crucial for a genuine, deep faith.

2. What does it mean to have childlike faith?

Childlike faith refers to a pure, trusting, and humble faith.

It’s about approaching God with the same openness and dependence that a child has towards a loving parent, free from cynicism and pride.

3. How does Jesus show His love for children?

Jesus shows His love for children by welcoming them, blessing them, and using them as examples in His teachings.

He also performs miracles for their sake, demonstrating His compassion and care for their well-being.

4. Why does Jesus warn against leading children astray?

Jesus warns against leading children astray because of their vulnerability and the purity of their faith.

Misleading them can have severe spiritual consequences, and Jesus stresses the responsibility adults have to guide children rightly.

5. How can I foster childlike faith in my own life?

You can foster childlike faith by:

Trusting in God fully
Approaching God with humility
Maintaining an open and teachable heart
Embracing the simplicity of the Gospel

6. What practical steps can I take to nurture faith in children?

Practical steps include:

Encouraging questions about faith
Modeling your faith through actions and words
Engaging children in age-appropriate faith activities
Providing a safe and supportive environment for them to express their faith

7. Can you give an example of a child’s faith in the Bible?

One example is Samuel, who responded to God’s call as a child with openness and readiness to serve.

Another is the boy who offered his loaves and fishes, which Jesus used to perform a miracle, showing how a child’s simple faith can lead to extraordinary results.

8. Why does Jesus say we must become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven?

Jesus says this to highlight that entering the kingdom of heaven requires humility, trust, and openness—qualities naturally found in children.

It’s a call to shed pride and self-reliance in favor of a pure, dependent faith in God.

9. What role do families and communities play in a child’s faith formation?

Families and communities play a crucial role by creating a faith-filled environment.

This includes teaching, modeling faith, and engaging in religious activities together, which helps lay a strong foundation for a child’s lifelong faith journey.

10. How does the story of Jairus’ daughter illustrate Jesus’ view on children?

The story of Jairus’ daughter, whom Jesus raised from the dead, illustrates His compassion and willingness to perform miracles for children.

It shows that children are important to Jesus and that their well-being is a priority in His ministry.