Becoming Like Little Children

The Journey Home: Connecting with God and Finding Wholeness

Lesson: Becoming Like Little Children

Welcome, friend. As we continue our journey home to the Father, we often find that the wisdom of the world—which prizes independence, self-sufficiency, and ambition—actually stands in the way of our relationship with God. To walk closely with our Creator, we are invited to set aside our adult pride and rediscover the simplicity, the vulnerability, and the absolute trust of a child. This is not a call to be childish, but to be childlike in our faith.

The Heart of the Kingdom

When the disciples came to Jesus asking who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, they expected Him to name someone of stature, influence, or religious pedigree. Instead, He offered them a living illustration of what true greatness looks like.

"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." Matthew 18:2-5

Notice that Jesus places the child in the midst of the group. A child is naturally dependent; they cannot provide for their own needs, nor do they possess the social power to demand their own way. To "become as little children" means to acknowledge our total reliance upon God. It is the admission that we are empty-handed before Him, ready to receive His grace as a gift rather than a reward for our own efforts.

The Danger of Offense

Because children are so open and vulnerable, they are easily hurt. Jesus gives a solemn warning regarding how we treat those who are learning to trust Him with this childlike innocence.

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6

This warning highlights the preciousness of a simple, trusting heart. When we nurture a spirit of humility, we become sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. We must guard our hearts against the cynicism that the world tries to impose upon us, ensuring that we do not lose the tenderness that allows us to hear God’s voice clearly.

The Invitation to Approach

In another instance, when people brought their children to Jesus, the disciples tried to turn them away, perhaps thinking the Master was too busy for the "unimportant." Jesus corrected them immediately, revealing the heart of God toward those who possess a humble, teachable spirit.

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

God does not desire our sophisticated arguments or our grand displays of piety. He desires our presence. Just as a child runs to a parent with arms outstretched, expecting to be held, God invites us to come to Him exactly as we are. The kingdom belongs to those who do not try to "earn" their way in, but simply accept the invitation to belong.

The Necessity of Connection

If we try to live our lives apart from this childlike dependence, we quickly wither. We were created for a constant, life-giving connection with our Maker. Jesus uses the imagery of a vine to explain that our "wholeness" is found only in staying connected to the Source of life.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5

This is the ultimate lesson of the child: the branch does not struggle to produce fruit; it simply stays attached to the vine. When we trust God with the simplicity of a child, we stop striving in our own strength. We allow His life, His love, and His character to flow through us, naturally resulting in the fruits of the Spirit.

Reflecting on the Journey

• In what areas of your life are you still trying to be "self-sufficient" rather than trusting in God?
• How does the image of a child—completely dependent on their parents—change your view of prayer?
• Read Psalm 131:2: "Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child." How can you cultivate this "quieted" soul in your daily life?
• Consider Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." How does this verse support the idea of childlike faith?
• Think about 1 Peter 2:2: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." Why is a "hunger" for God’s Word a sign of spiritual health?
• Read Matthew 11:25, where Jesus thanks the Father for hiding truth from the wise and revealing it to babes. Why do you think simple trust often sees more clearly than human intellect?

Summary

The journey home is not a climb up a ladder of human achievement, but a descent into the humility of a child. By recognizing our need for God (Matthew 18:2-5), guarding our hearts from the world's cynicism (Matthew 18:6), accepting His invitation to draw near (Matthew 19:14), and remaining rooted in our connection to Him (John 15:5), we find the wholeness we were created for. As we walk with the Lord today, may we set aside our pride and embrace the beautiful simplicity of trusting Him with everything.