JESUS WELCOMES THE LITTLE CHILDREN (Bible study for teens)

In this lesson, we will learn how Jesus welcomed the little children. This lesson relates to pre-teens and teens and by the end of this lesson, they should have learnt about the following:

Jesus has time for people.
The importance of childlike faith.
Age is not a barrier for God.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 19:13-15 & Mark 10:13-16

MEMORY VERSE: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

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JESUS WELCOMES THE LITTLE CHILDREN pdf – preteen and teen Bible lesson

BIBLE STUDY NOTES FOR TEENS

Matthew and Mark tell us how people tried to bring their children to Jesus (Mark 10:13). In both accounts, the disciples try to push the children away, but Jesus responds with one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible, “He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” (Mark 10:14).

BACKGROUND TO THE TEXT

Children in Jesus’ day were often weak and vulnerable. Their life expectancy much shorter than in developed countries today. Some historians say that one third of children at the time would die before the age of six. Mainly because of famine, war and disease. Children were also without legal rights which left them vulnerable and overlooked.

Consequently, it was common for mothers to bring their children to rabbis to be touched and blessed. Many hoped that a blessing from a ‘holy’ man would protect their child. It was also an opportunity for the children to learn from an educated teacher in a world without formal education.

KEY POINTS

1. WE SHOULDN’T PREVENT PEOPLE COMING TO JESUS (Mark 10:13)

As we read the Gospels carefully, we notice something amazing and distinctive about Jesus. He didn’t mark people of low status differently to the rich and respected. Without compromising His holiness, Jesus invited everyone to come to Him. Jesus’ attitude was so different to the Jewish religious leaders of the day.

On this occasion, the disciples considered that the presence of the children was a nuisance for the Master. In view of the disciples’ attitude, Jesus rebukes them with these words: “Let the children come to me”. With these words, Jesus makes it clear that the disciples were not to intervene or prevent the children from coming to listen to Jesus. By implication, it shows that Jesus is pleased with parents who bring their children to Him.

We must not prevent others from coming to Jesus. We should not let daily life, the problems of work, the worries of life and other things prevent us from bringing people to Christ. Maybe, we have a similar attitude to the disciples and see some people ‘unworthy’ of Jesus’s time. The Bible reminds us that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

We should make every effort to remove barriers for people to come to Jesus, as we especially should not become a barrier.

2. JESUS IS NOT TOO BUSY FOR PEOPLE (Mark 10:14)

Jesus’ attitude towards children and the value He gives them is so important. We constantly see His love for people.

This reminds us that Jesus, even when tired during His earthly ministry, never rejected anyone, never stopped praying to the Father, never stopped doing the Father’s Will, and never allowed Himself to be influenced by sin in the flesh.

Despite the know of the nearness of the cross and His journey ahead to Jerusalem, Jesus stopped to take these children in His arms and pray for them.

It was in no way a waste of time for Jesus.

Do you sometime feel that you are bothering Jesus? That Jesus is too busy or too important to care about you and the issues you face? This passage reminds us that Jesus deeply cares for us. Society may overlook a person, but Jesus doesn’t. He made time for the woman at the well, Nicodemus, the blind, the poor, the lame and little children.

Jesus is never too busy for us to come to Him.

3. CHILDLIKE FAITH (Mark 10:15)

Jesus used the characteristics of a child to show us faith. How do you respond differently to when you were a young child?

Characteristics of children:

A child asks for what they need.
A child asks with expectancy.
Children absolutely trust in the promise.
Children don’t feel they need to contribute.
They rest trusting in the person who will give what they promised.
They receive the gift with joy.

These are essential characteristics for entering the kingdom of God: realizing our need, that we are not self-sufficient, that we need help and that we must trust God to deliver on His promises. We then surrender to follow the one we trust. We trust God for our protection and provision as a child trusts a parent.

4. PEOPLE OF ANY AGE CAN FOLLOW JESUS (Mark 10:16)

For Jesus, the children were so important that He took the time to demonstrate with words and deeds that they were also recipients of the good news of the gospel.

Many churches today are tempted to think that “Christian work” should be directed toward “certain people.” But this is a grave error. Children as well as the elderly, young woman as well as widows, rich men as well as the poor, the free as well as the slaves, none of them are excluded from the call to the kingdom of God.

As Christians, we should not make standards between people. Jesus paid the same price to save all. ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ Galatians 3:28

Take a look around your local church and ask God to help you value everyone.

CONCLUSION

This wonderful scene of Jesus blessing the children is tender and touching. There is a marked difference in the scene: while the disciples rebuke and drive people away so that they would not disturb Jesus. Jesus welcomes all people to Himself.

YOUTH GAMES AND ACTIVITIES FOR JESUS WELCOMES THE LITTLE CHILDREN

CAPTURE THE FLAG

Split players into two teams.
One team will be a defensive team while the other team tries to capture the flag.
Mark to zones.
If a capturing team member is tagged in the defending team’s zone, they must freeze in place for 10 second before returning to their area – If all players are frozen the game is over.
If a capturing player captures the flag, they win and teams swap sides. Talk about how the disciples tried to prevent the children coming to Jesus.

SPEED CHAT

This is a fun ‘Get to know you’ activity.
Split players into two groups. A and B.
Have the players in group A sit in a space out circle
The players in group B then split up to Sit with a player from group A.
Set a timer for 1 minute. Players then have that time to chat about a certain topic e.g. hobbies.
After 1 minute, players from group b move to the right and chat with another player for 1 minute.
Repeat. Talk about how we don’t need to rush our time with Jesus. He wants us to spend time with Him.