Children have a unique way of humbling us. From the joys of first steps to the frustration of sleepless nights, children shape our experiences in profound ways. But beyond our personal encounters, what does God say about children? How does he view them, and what should our response be?
In Mark 10:13-16, we find an encounter between Jesus and children. Parents were bringing their little ones to him, seeking his blessing. Yet the disciples rebuked them, assuming that children were not a priority in Jesus’ ministry. But Jesus’ response was striking: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (v14).
In this passage, we uncover five truths about how God views children and why they are essential to his kingdom.
Children are a gift from God
Scripture consistently affirms that children are a blessing. Psalm 127:3-5 describes them as a “heritage from the Lord” and likens them to arrows in a warrior’s hands. This imagery reminds us that children are meant both to be treasured and prepared to be released out into the world, like an archer releasing an arrow.
Yet, the reality of parenting is not always simple. The Bible does not shy away from the struggles of infertility, miscarriage or loss. Women like Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth experienced the deep pain of waiting and longing for a child. Many of the great patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob – grappled with childlessness at different points. This reminds us that while children are a gift, they are also given by God in his timing and wisdom.
When the disciples in Mark 10 turned the children away, they failed to recognise them as a divine blessing. Jesus, however, saw them differently – he welcomed them, reminding us to rejoice in the lives of children, and to mourn with those who long for them.
Children are sinners
A common cultural belief is that children are born innocent and only become sinful as they grow older. However, Scripture tells a different story. Psalm 51:5 says, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me”. Likewise, Psalm 58:3 states, “Even from birth the wicked go astray”.
Children, like all of us, are born with a sinful nature. And while they may not commit the same kinds of evils as adults, this isn’t because of the purity of their hearts; rather, it’s simply because they’re too small and weak to do the same things of which us grown-ups are capable! As Augustine of Hippo wrote, “It is the weakness of infants’ limbs that makes them innocent, not their intention”. As children grow, their sinful naturewill increasingly express itself in sinful acts.
Therefore, while their sins may look different from those of adults, children still need the grace and forgiveness that Jesus offers. If we view children as naturally good and self-sufficient, we risk minimising their need for the gospel. Jesus came to save sinners – including the youngest among us. Children need Jesus just as much as grown-ups.
When the disciples rebuked the parents in Mark 10 for bringing their children to Jesus, perhaps they assumed that these little ones had no need for him. But Jesus’ response made it clear: every child needs to come to him for salvation.
Children are disciples now
Too often, we think of children as potential disciples – people who will one day “make a decision” for Christ when they are old enough to understand. But Jesus’ words in Mark 10:14 challenge that notion: “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”.
The disciples likely saw children as unimportant in their mission to establish God’s kingdom. They may have thought, “Come back when you’re old enough to contribute”. But Jesus saw them differently. He welcomed children as full members of his kingdom – not future prospects, but present heirs.
What about faith? Theologian Bruce Ware puts it like this: “Since by nature infants cannot have come to understand or embrace the reality of their own sin, or of the gracious redemptive work done in Christ… they simply cannot be those for whom the reality of union with Christ is true”.
And yet, doesn’t Jesus’ welcoming of children teach us something crucial about the nature of faith? Faith is not primarily an intellectual grasp or articulation of doctrine; rather, it is fundamentally the kind of trust and dependence that children model to us best! As theologian-philosopher Vern Poythress writes: “Faith is primarily trust in Christ, not verbal articulation of that trust”.
This challenges how we treat children in our churches. Do we view them as second-class citizens in the kingdom, or as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?
Jesus embraced them, prayed for them and blessed them. We should do the same.
Children need discipleship
From the earliest pages of Scripture, God calls his people to teach the next generation. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 commands parents to impress God’s words upon their children – talking about them at home, on the road, and throughout daily life. Psalm 78:5-7 reiterates this call, urging each generation to pass on God’s truth so that their children “would put their trust in God”.
In the New Testament, Paul writes to fathers in Ephesians 6:4: “do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord”.
Raising children in faith is not a neutral endeavour. Our culture is not neutral – messages of self-sufficiency, consumerism and secular worldviews bombard children daily. If we do not intentionally disciple them, the world will.
The disciples in Mark 10 may have thought that children were not ready to be taught about faith, but Scripture tells us otherwise. They need to hear the gospel, be trained in God’s word, and see living examples of faith in their homes and churches.
Children teach us what it means to follow Jesus
Jesus’ final words in Mark 10:15 reveal a profound truth: “anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it”.
But what does it mean to receive the kingdom like a child? This is an important question, because not everything about a child teaches us what we should be like. For example, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to stop being like “infants, tossed back and forth by the waves” (Eph 4:14).
So, what does a child teach us about receiving the kingdom? It does not mean being immature or ignorant. Instead, it means embracing the humility, trust and dependence that characterise childhood. This is made clear by what happens in the story after the children are brought to Jesus.
In Mark 10, the story of Jesus and the children is followed by the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler. Unlike the children who approached Jesus with open arms, the young man came with confidence in his own achievements. He believed his wealth and good deeds were enough. Yet Jesus told him to give up everything and follow him – to become dependent, like a child. The young man walked away, unable to embrace that kind of surrender.
Children show us what it means to rely on God completely. A child depends on a parent for everything – food, shelter, love, guidance. Likewise, Jesus calls us to abandon our self-reliance and trust in him fully.
At its core, the gospel is about dependence. Jesus himself modelled this when he became a child – born into the world in weakness and humility. Moreover, his ultimate act of dependence was on the Cross where, as he died, he entrusted himself into his Father’s hands. He did this both to protect us from the righteous judgement of God, and to make possible our adoption as true children of God.
And this he did even for the youngest of children. As it says in the words of a French baptismal prayer:
Little child, for you Jesus Christ has come, he has fought, he has suffered. For you he entered the shadow of Gethsemane and the horror of Calvary. For you he uttered the cry “It is finished”! For you he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and there he intercedes – for you little child even though you do not know it. But in this way the word of the gospel becomes true. We love him, because he first loved us.
Embracing God’s heart for children
If we truly understand how God views children, it will change how we minister to them. We will treasure them as gifts, recognise their need for the gospel, disciple them intentionally and learn from their example of faith.
As a church, we must ask ourselves, do we reflect Jesus’ heart for children? Are we investing in their spiritual growth? Are we making space for them in our worship and community?
Jesus’ call is clear: “Let the little children come to me”. May we, like him, embrace them with open arms, pointing them to the Saviour who welcomes us all.
The Rev Charles Cleworth lectures in theology, philosophy and ethics at Moore College.
