Blessed are the Children

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To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction 

Last week, we discussed Jesus’ teaching on how to pray, which is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer. Through this lesson, Jesus showed that God cares more about people’s inward devotion and authenticity to him than for people to make big shows about how “righteous” they are in order to build their reputation.  

During the “Apply” section last week, everyone was encouraged to write down specific action steps they would work on throughout the week. Take some time to discuss how that went with the group. 

This week we will be discussing Jesus’ teaching on how we should be like children when it comes to how to relate to God.  

First, however, begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group. 

Connect  

• What are some things that you depend on every day that you couldn’t live without? 
• When making decisions, are you someone who wants to take charge or someone who is fine with letting others take the lead with?  
• How do you think life would be different if you asked for help more often and/or let go of control in more aspects of your life? 

Opening Thought 

It’s easy to get caught up in thinking we need to have all the answers or be in control, but what if embracing a more humble, open approach is actually a better way of life? In a world that often pushes us to be in control and rely only on ourselves, it’s easy to forget the value of simplicity and trust. Instead of trying to do everything ourselves, God invites us to come to him humbly and depend on him so we can be a part of his plan to transform the world.  

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week

We can be a part of God’s Kingdom when we humbly depend on him

Here’s where we are this week

Jesus at this point has been teaching for a while, and at certain points he begins to describe something he calls the “Kingdom of God”. This Kingdom was interpreted by Jesus’ early followers as a powerful, earthly kingdom that would overthrow the (Roman) government which was the ruling earthly authority in the world Jesus lived in; however, the picture that Jesus gave his followers of the Kingdom of God was a place of peace, forgiveness, compassion, and love where all the followers of Jesus were together with God. Jesus taught that this kingdom is not just something for the future, however, but something that is already here on earth now because Jesus has come; Those who follow Jesus are called to help everyone around them experience what this kingdom looks like by following Jesus’ way of life.  

Understanding what God’s kingdom can be confusing, though, so Jesus used different metaphors, parables, and examples to explain it. This week we are looking at one example of his lessons.  

Unpack 

Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses: 

Read  

Mark 10:13-16 

Unpack 

• What do you think it means to receive the Kingdom of God like a little child?   
  • How does the faith of a child differ from adult faith?  
    • How can we foster this type of faith in our lives? 
  • What are some character/personality traits of children that adults lose when they grow up?  
    • How could some of these could be positive when it comes to how we interact with God?  
      • Why do think we sometimes need to be reminded that God is our father and so it is okay to relate to him in that way? 
• Why do you think the disciples scolded the parents for bringing their kids to Jesus?  
  • Do you think people in churches today still turn people away? Who in our culture is treated like the disciples treated the parents and their children?  
    • Why do you think this is still prevalent in the church today even though Jesus taught against this? 
  • How often do you think you try to manage how you approach Jesus, even though he just wants you to come to him as you are? 
    • Why do you think people are afraid to present the true version of themselves to Jesus? 
• What does Jesus’ interaction with the little children teach us about how we should treat people when they are rejected by others in the world? 
  • How can Jesus’ interaction with children influence your approach to other generations than your own within the faith community? 
• What do you think this story teaches us about faith and entering the Kingdom of Heaven? 
• How can we maintain a childlike faith in a world that often values cynicism and skepticism? 

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

• What steps will you take this week to begin cultivating a more childlike approach to one aspect of your faith? 
• How will you cultivate an atmosphere of acceptance to the people in our culture that have commonly felt “scolded” for being curious about who Jesus is? 
• How will we as a group try to avoid being “too mature” to approach Jesus as children in our faith from now on? 

Closing 

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

It’s natural to want to have everything under control, but sometimes, letting go and trusting in something greater brings the most peace. When we stop trying to manage everything on our own, we make room for deeper understanding and stronger connections. Embracing simplicity and humility allows us to be part of something bigger, opening the door to God’s plans and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your world.  

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Thematic Reflection Verse for the Week

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

Matthew 18:3-4  

“Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. ⁴ So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Isaiah 55:6 

Day 2: Matthew 5:1-12 

Day 3: Psalm 95:6 

Day 4: Proverbs 16:19 

Day 5: James 4:7 

Day 6: Hebrews 4:16