At that time the disciples came to Jesus. They asked him, “Then who is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?”2 Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them. 3 Jesus said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Anyone who takes the humble position of this child is the most important in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Anyone who welcomes a little child like this one in my name welcomes me.6 “What if someone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin? If they do, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and be drowned at the bottom of the sea.
7 How terrible it will be for the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Things like that must come. But how terrible for the person who causes them!
8.If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It would be better to enter the kingdom of heaven with only one hand than go into hell with two hands. It would be better to enter the kingdom of heaven with only one foot than go into hell with two feet. In hell the fire burns forever. 9 If your eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. It would be better to enter the kingdom of heaven with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
10-11“See that you don’t look down on one of these little ones. Here is what I tell you. Their angels in heaven are always with my Father who is in heaven.
12 “What do you think? Suppose a man owns 100 sheep and one of them wanders away. Won’t he leave the 99 sheep on the hills? Won’t he go and look for the one that wandered off ? 13 What I’m about to tell you is true. If he finds that sheep, he is happier about the one than about the 99 that didn’t wander off. 14 It is the same with your Father in heaven. He does not want any of these little ones to die.
1. Becoming like a child
2. Who are children?
3. Looking out for a child.
1. Becoming like a child. Verses 1-4
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus. They asked him, “Then who is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?”2 Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them. 3 Jesus said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Anyone who takes the humble position of this child is the most important in the kingdom of heaven.
Question 1
What does it mean to become like a child?
Becoming like a child
1. Humility
• In God’s Kingdom, it is not about position, recognition, or status.
We must depend on God rather than on our own wisdom, strength, or self-importance.
• Do not be so wise in your own eyes that you stop listening to God or praying to Him.
• 2. Dependency
• Do you recognise that you need God?
Can you depend on Him daily?
Can you truly trust Him?
• 3. Open Hearts
• This does not mean being naïve or immature in understanding. Be innocent, not ignorant.
• Lead without ego — whether your own or others’.
Serve without needing recognition.
Keep a soft heart that listens to God.
2. Who are children?
Verse 6-7
“What if someone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin? If they do, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and be drowned at the bottom of the sea. 7 How terrible it will be for the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Things like that must come. But how terrible for the person who causes them!
Questions 2
• What does it mean to cause a child to sin? Verse 6.
Who are children?
1. Literally Children
• He took an actual child to illustrate it.
2. People who take a humble position.
Verse 4: “Whoever humbles himself like this child…”
• 3. Vulnerable People
• Elderly people
• Marginalised people
• Those overlooked in society
• Baby Christians (who are still growing and imperfect)
• Do not cause them to stumble.
Stop making excuses for sin or causing others to sin (verse 8). If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away…
3. Look out for children
verse 10-12.
10-11 “See that you don’t look down on one of these little ones. Here is what I tell you. Their angels in heaven are always with my Father who is in heaven.
12 “What do you think? Suppose a man owns 100 sheep and one of them wanders away. Won’t he leave the 99 sheep on the hills? Won’t he go and look for the one that wandered off ?
Question 3
• Why leave the ninety-nine to look for the one that is lost?
• Are you like the Shepherd, or are you like the ninety-nine?
• He compares children to sheep.
• Do not stop looking out for the children who wander away
• Lose their faith.
Become discouraged.
Stop coming to church.
Feel too shy to mingle.
• Do not be comfortable with only the mature and “perfect” people.
Go after the children. God loves children
