In what ways can our church encourage childlike faith among members? Setting the Scene with Matthew 18:2 “Jesus invited a little child to stand among them.” (Matthew 18:2) Right in the middle of a conversation about greatness, our Lord places a youngster center stage. The picture is simple yet powerful: Christ values the humble, trusting posture of a child. The call is clear—church life must showcase and nurture that same posture in every believer. What Childlike Faith Looks Like • Trusting God without second-guessing (Proverbs 3:5) • Receiving His kingdom without bargaining (Mark 10:14-15) • Craving the pure “milk” of Scripture (1 Peter 2:2) • Resting in the Father’s care (Psalm 131:1-2) • Obeying promptly, the way children obey a loving parent (Ephesians 5:1) Church Practices That Cultivate Childlike Faith 1. Emphasize Scripture Saturation – Read passages aloud in every gathering. – Encourage members to memorize key verses (Psalm 119:11). – Offer short, story-rich devotions that mirror how Jesus taught with parables. 2. Model Humility from the Front – Leaders share testimonies of dependence on God, not personal achievements. – Celebrate unseen acts of service (Matthew 6:3-4). 3. Create Spaces for Simple, Honest Prayer – Begin meetings with brief, heartfelt prayers rather than lengthy orations. – Teach the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern (Matthew 6:9-13). – Invite children to pray publicly; their sincerity will instruct adults. 4. Foster Intergenerational Worship – Keep songs lyrically sound yet singable for all ages. – Provide visual object lessons or brief sermon illustrations. – Allow children to read Scripture or help with offerings, reinforcing their value. 5. Celebrate Dependence on God, Not Programs – Regularly share answered prayers (Hebrews 11:6). – Schedule testimony times where members recount God’s intervention. – Keep ministry reports focused on God’s faithfulness more than statistics. 6. Encourage Questions and Wonder – Host “story time” segments where kids and adults alike can recount Bible narratives. – Use creation-based illustrations (Romans 1:20) to spark awe in God’s works. – Supply simple take-home devotionals that families explore together. 7. Protect the Vulnerable – Establish clear safety policies reflecting Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6. – Train volunteers to champion gentleness and patience with little ones. – Publicly affirm that every child bears God’s image and deserves honor. 8. Promote Hands-On Acts of Kindness – Organize service projects suitable for all ages (James 1:27). – Let children lead parts of these projects, teaching adults to follow their example of eagerness and compassion. 9. Keep the Gospel Central – Reiterate the simplicity of salvation: “To all who received Him… He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) – Use illustrations that highlight grace over works, reinforcing trust rather than toil. 10. Consistently Point to Christ’s Invitation – Close gatherings with His standing invitation: “Come to Me.” (Matthew 11:28) – Remind members that the kingdom still belongs “to such as these.” (Mark 10:14) The Ongoing Impact When a congregation prizes the qualities embodied in that small child standing beside Jesus—humility, trust, eagerness to learn—the church shines as a living illustration of the gospel. Adults rediscover the joy of simple belief, children grow up seeing faith as a natural response to a faithful God, and Christ is glorified in the midst of His people. |
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