15. The more childlike I become—vulnerable, playful, trusting, imaginative etc.—the easier it will be for me to participate in God’s Kingdom.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

Think about a fun moment you had as a young child. What was different about you and your situation then? Was it the freedom of not being responsible for yourself or others? Maybe you enjoyed not always being in a hurry. What was different about your emotions then? In that moment, did you feel carefree? Unconcerned? Trusting?

Imagine yourself as a carefree child playing with friends on a playground. What would you be playing with—swings, slide, balls, sand, etc.? Now imagine that Jesus is there also. Where is He?

Reflect on Jesus’ statement, “unless you become like little children you will never enter the Kingdom.” What qualities of a child do you think that Jesus was referring to?

What would you have to give up to become more of a child in God’s Kingdom? Talk to Jesus about this. Tell Him what you are afraid of and what keeps you from letting go. Listen for His reply.

Jesus makes this statement in His teaching but with an even greater emphasis when He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3 NIV). What is it about children that makes them more able to enter the Kingdom? We know that children are imaginative and can live in a pretend world. Does this give them an ability to imagine and enter the spiritual world with Jesus?

Children can be more trusting and don’t need as much convincing as adults do. Children haven’t gotten used to being in control and may be able to trust and give themselves to a spiritual reality they can’t see. Children are free and playful. Maybe this helps them experience the Kingdom.

Children don’t need to understand something to be able to enjoy it. Jesus doesn’t explain His statement, perhaps because He wants us to trust Him as a child would. But it seems to be an important truth He wants us to know. We could also ask what is not true about a child that suits them for the Kingdom.

A child doesn’t know and understand more Bible content than an adult. Children do not necessarily behave better than adults. Children haven’t developed the capacity to reflect and think deeply. Most children haven’t developed spiritual practices or disciplines.

Logically we would say that being a mature adult would give us an advantage in experiencing the Kingdom. Yet maybe that is Jesus’ point. Life in the Kingdom is not logical from our perspective, and children are better suited to live with the, uncertain, uncontrollable, unseen, and seemingly illogical realities of the Kingdom.