Today, House of the Lord, Run to the Father, Good, Good Father, Holy Forever

What are some privileges that children have that adults no longer have?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, ³ and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; ⁶ but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

¹⁵ And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

INTRO (Matthew 18:1-3)

WHAT IS A CHILD (Matthew 5:3, Matthew 18:4-6, Mark 9:35-37)

WHY BE A CHILD (Jeremiah 1:7-8, John 3:16, John 15:13, Luke 9:44-48, 1 Corinthians 2:9)

HOW TO BE A CHILD (Luke 18:9,14-17, Matthew 18:1, John 1:12)

WILL YOU BE MY CHILD?

Restate the verse in your own words.

• What did you like about these verses?
• What did you learn about God?
• What did you learn about people?
• What did you learn about being a “child”?
• What did you learn about following Jesus?

Based on this lesson on “BE A CHILD”, write down your action point to apply what you learned. Make it your “I Will…” statement and follow the S.M.A.R.T guideline to come up with a do-able action point.

Simple

Measurable

Appropriate

Realistic

Time-bound

“I Will _____________________________”

Who will you share these truths to this week?

Pray for the adults in your life to learn what it means to be a child that pleases God.

Be an example of what it means to be converted and become like children — fully trusting and obeying our Father in Heaven.

Share the gospel to adults and young people alike, let them know that all those who believe in Jesus become God’s children!

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• PRAY for the protection, safety and release of kidnapped American Christian missionary, Kevin, serving in Niger (West Africa). For God to turn the hearts of the kidnappers to repentance and salvation. Peace and comfort for Kevin’s family.

• Pray for persecuted Christians in Sudan and Nigeria) — many have been beheaded and murdered; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• PRAISE God that the rest of the living Israeli hostages have been restored to their families safely! Continue to pray that even all the dead hostages will be returned to their families for burial.

• For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• For Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism; may this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God

for help and comfort.

• For protection of Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese Christians and other minorities, and freedom from oppression. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout their region.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives

• Earthquake victims in northern Cebu, Davao Oriental. Seek God’s mercy upon our land. May many more Filipinos turn to Jesus!

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• For elders, pastors, dleaders, and families to become holy, humble, harmonious, happy, and heart-working.

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”