What does it look like to bring children to Jesus?

How can we (adults) receive children in our lives in a way that helps them to know, trust and follow Jesus?

Two groups of adults in the story:
● Adults who were bringing children to Jesus
● Adults who were trying to keep children from bothering Jesus

Why were the adults bringing children to Jesus?
…so that He might lay His hands on them and pray…
They were bringing these children to be blessed by Jesus – by interacting with Him and being prayed for by Him.

Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is present and available to people such as these little children.

Children tend to demonstrate the kind of posture/approach toward God that allows them to easily trust, know and experience His presence.

Children need adults to gently, caringly, lead them to Jesus. This is our responsibility and our privilege.

Two vital questions to answer:
● Are you convinced Jesus is present and responsive to you personally?
● Are you convinced Jesus holds children in highest regard and that they are not a bother to Him?

Four keys to receiving children in Jesus name:
● Be Aware: Remain aware of the potential of receiving and being present with children in Jesus name.
● Practice receiving: Take opportunities to practice being with children in Jesus name. Practice being attentive, curious and responsive
● Trust Jesus: Purposefully trust Jesus to be uniquely present in these moments. (By uniquely we mean present in a literal, interactive and transformational way)
● Attend to Jesus: Practice being attentive and responsive to Jesus in the moment, being willing to speak to it, directing yours and the child’s attention to Jesus

Ways we can all start:
● Take time to play with a child
● Follow their lead in a conversation
● Ask them what they think about something and listen close to the answer
● Volunteer in our extended session and practice being with children
● Let a child teach you something they know, even if you already know it.