Pastor Ralph Posted October 12, 2020 Report Share Posted October 12, 2020 Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 1. What is the point of the parable that precedes the incident of Jesus and the Little Children? Why is that important to the interpretation of this passage? (18:9-14) The preceding parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector teaches us the importance of humility before God. And this passage reinforces this by teaching us that the humility of a little child is necessary for entrance unto the kingdom of God. Young children would come with expectation and excitement. And we know that they cannot function on their own, being totally depend on others. This is the attitude, of faith and trust, that we are to have if we want to spend eternity with our Lord. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 2. Why would parents want to bring their babies and little children to Jesus? (18:15a) Mothers customary brought their infants/children to a rabbi for a blessing. It was for this reason that mothers crowded around Jesus with their children, wanting Him to place His hands on them, in order that they might receive a blessing from God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 3. Why did the disciples rebuke the parents? What was the disciples' view of the children's importance? How did they see their actions as serving Jesus' interests? (18:15b) The disciples saw this as an annoyance and an intrusion into Jesus’ busy schedule and didn’t want Him to be bothered by little children. Especially since children were viewed as unimportant in Jewish custom in those days. So, they rebuked the parents. They thought He had much more important matters to attend to than blessing children. They could perhaps have done this because they were conscious that the Lord was in need of rest. Since He was followed by large crowds this would have been very exhausting for the Lord. This could have been solely an act of pride on behalf of the disciples, thinking that they and their Master were too important to be bothered by such insignificant things as small infants. But Jesus graciously showed them the contrast between the openness of the children against the stubbornness of the religious leaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 4. Why did Jesus interrupt His teaching to call all the children in the crowd to Him at this point? In what sense is this a "teachable moment"? (18:16) It was to teach His disciples, and us, an important lesson about the Kingdom of God. To be a member of God’s Kingdom demands humble trust in God – the same humble trust found in children. When Jesus, referring to children, says, “the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these”, He stresses not only how valuable they are in the Kingdom, but also their innocence, humility and openness to the things of God. The same selfless trust and total dependence shown to their earthly parents is shown towards their Heavenly Father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 5. What point is Jesus making by inviting the children to come freely? How does Jesus follow up on His action? They respond immediately with no pretence at all. What you see is what you get. They come freely, openly, humbly, in simple faith, and completely dependent upon Jesus. And Jesus welcomes them with open arms. Just like the tax collector in the previous parable who came with no merit in himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 6. Children have lots of endearing (and not so endearing) characteristics. Which characteristics of children is Jesus pointing to in this context that He wants would-be disciples to emulate? Besides welcoming and inviting children to come to Him, Jesus also identifies qualities or characteristics that He wants us, His disciples, to emulate. In Matt 18:2-3, Jesus teaches us that we must change and become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. That is, we must abandon thoughts of personal greatness and take the lowly position of a little child. And in the next verse (18:4), the Lord said that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is the one who humbles himself like a little child. Identifying oneself with the lowliest among God’s children. In Mark 10:15, Jesus states, “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it”. Children come with expectation and excitement, realising that they are not sufficient in themselves, and are dependent on others. It is with these same attitudes that Jesus expects adults to have for them to enter into the kingdom. We need to change our attitude of self-sufficiency and recognise our need for the sovereign God; of self-righteousness and humble ourselves before the Holy God; of our sceptical toughness and soften before the loving God. The same way that children do not feel powerful, or righteous, or independent on their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted November 1, 2021 Report Share Posted November 1, 2021 7. In what way does Jesus' teaching here offer hope to us who read it today? That nothing we have or do can gain us entry into God’s Kingdom. We are not justified by our own achievements and good works. Rather, we have to come before our Lord humbly, admitting that we are a sinner in need of mercy and grace. We have to have the mindset of a child/of a tax collector (18:13), and come to Jesus, freely, openly, and humbly. Knowing He will never refuse us, but welcome us. This reminds of the hymn we sing, “Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling (Rock of Ages). We come in faith, repent with a heartfelt sorrow for sin, and walk in obedience to Christ. Coming to Jesus means to accept His goodness on our behalf, confess our need, and commit our life to His tender guidance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 1. What is the point of the parable that precedes the incident of Jesus and the Little Children? Why is that important to the interpretation of this passage? (18:9-14) The parable preceding this one was of the proud or self-righteous Pharisee, who prayed in the temple to God about himself and the guilt-ridden tax-collector who in humility sought God's mercy and forgiveness. (and found it) The point brought across was that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted. In this passage we find parents' bringing little children to Christ, seeking Him to bless them. In general children in those times were seen as unimportant and were ignored. But Jesus bade them come to Him. He did not turn them away but uplifted their status. He exalted them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 2. Why would parents want to bring their babies and little children to Jesus? (18:15a) Children are generally very important to parents. We want the best for them. Automatically a blessing would be sought for them also, when someone else's child is blessed. When the first child was bold enough to come close to Jesus and received a blessing and was not ignored, the automatic reaction was to encourage the others to go forward also. Jesus received them with 'open arms' and blessed them. In fact encouraged them to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 3. Why did the disciples rebuke the parents? What was the disciples' view of the children's importance? How did they see their actions as serving Jesus' interests? (18:15b) They felt they needed to keep interruption away from Jesus. His schedule was busy enough with all the sick people that wanted healing and then there was the teaching that Jesus was doing as well. Now the parents were coming with 'unimportant subjects' (as children were viewed to be) and expected to cut into Jesus' busy schedule. The disciples felt they were being thwarted in their trying to control the crowds. The parents job was to control the children. This they felt was serving Jesus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted November 4, 2021 Report Share Posted November 4, 2021 4. Why did Jesus interrupt his teaching to call all the children in the crowd to him at this point? In what sense is this a "teachable moment"? (18:16) Jesus called the children at this time to confirm a point to all present and all reading this passage, that everyone is important in God's sight. There is time for even those considered unimportant to society, to receive a blessing. Jesus is teaching us that we are to welcome children and not look down on them. Children come as they are. They do not first check if they are clean or not (be that taken figuratively or spiritually). We too are to come as we are and accept people as they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted November 5, 2021 Report Share Posted November 5, 2021 5. What point is Jesus making by inviting the children to come freely? How does Jesus follow up on his action? Jesus is pointing out that children are welcome to come. There is no one that is not welcome. No one is too inferior. Everyone is welcome to come. Jesus stops whatever he was busy with and now centres on the children. I am sure he hugged and blessed one and all. The passage says he called the parents and told them to bring the children and not to hinder them from coming. Then He points out an important characteristic, viz., that the child accepts, receives and welcomes the Kingdom of God eagerly and without questioning. That is how we are to accept His teaching too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted November 5, 2021 Report Share Posted November 5, 2021 6.Children have lots of endearing (and not so endearing) characteristics. Which characteristics of children is Jesus pointing to in this context that he wants would-be disciples to emulate? That innocent trust that they will be helped. What they are being told is real. Just believing without question. Openly welcoming and excitable. This is how we too ought to be. Not "know it all's" but in humility accepting His teaching and guidance. Be eager to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irmela Posted November 5, 2021 Report Share Posted November 5, 2021 7. In what way does Jesus' teaching here offer hope to us who read it today? We too can come to Him in whichever state we are in. He will not turn us away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted December 9, 2021 Report Share Posted December 9, 2021 What is the point of the parable that precedes the incident of Jesus and the Little Children? Why is that important to the interpretation of this passage? (18:9-14) A. The parable that precedes this incident has to do with humility. It is important to interpret this passage because this incident could been interpreted as something to do with the children and not humility. Why would parents want to bring their babies and little children to Jesus? (18:15a) A. So that they could be blessed by Jesus. Why did the disciples rebuke the parents? What was the disciples' view of the children's importance? How did they see their actions as serving Jesus' interests? (18:15b) A. This disciples didn’t want them brothering Jesus. He has important messages to give us. The disciples viewed the children as a nuisance and should not be brothering this important man. Why did Jesus interrupt his teaching to call all the children in the crowd to him at this point? In what sense is this a "teachable moment"? (18:16) A. Jesus interrupted his teaching to call the children to Him because He wanted a live prop to teach the crowd the point about being humble. What point is Jesus making by inviting the children to come freely? How does Jesus follow up on his action? A. By inviting the children to come freely is another point that we can come freely to Jesus and be able to repent from our sins. Children have lots of endearing (and not so endearing) characteristics. Which characteristics of children is Jesus pointing to in this context that he wants would-be disciples to emulate? A. The characteristic that Jesus is pointing to is the one of innocence and believing in the one that has been sent to us. In what way does Jesus' teaching here offer hope to us who read it today? A. We can come to Jesus anytime that we want and he is there waiting for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted April 5, 2022 Report Share Posted April 5, 2022 Q1. The previous parable is about the haughty proud Pharisee, telling God how good he is, and how he is not like other people who are sinners. By contrast the tax collectors stands at the back of the temple with his head bent and beating his breast because he didn’t feel worthy to approach God. Our present parable shows us that we must be humble like the tax collector, and like the innocent children that run to Jesus to gain a blessing and a prayer from Jesus. We too must run to Jesus in humility and without any pretensions. Only with the same innocent, and humble approach will be able to enter the Kingdom of God. Q2.Parents wanted their children to be blessed and prayed for by Jesus. As children approached Jesus other parents realised what was happening and wanted the same blessing and prayers for their children. Q3.The disciples thought they were doing the right thing by stopping the children approaching Jesus, because He was doing important work and children were a nuisance! Children were regarded as unimportant, inferior and immature. The disciples were trying to control people to make Jesus job easier and they certainly wanted no children getting in the way. Q4. Jesus realised that He could use the children’s humility, openness and lack of repentance as an illustration of how people must be within themselves to be able to approach God and get into His Kingdom. Q5. The children have no inhibitions and run to Jesus in innocence and humility. Jesus tells the people they must be like these children in humility and innocence, otherwise they would not be able to enter the Kingdom of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted April 6, 2022 Report Share Posted April 6, 2022 Q6.The children coming running straight to Jesus when they are allowed. They show trust and openness, they are innocent and transparent totally dependent onJesus and humble before Him. This attitude of humility is the same humility that we as Christian’s need to have before we can approach God and gain entry to the Kingdom of God. Q7. We are blessed to have the freedom to study the Scriptures and to get to know God, and His great love for us and how we can love and honour Him in our lives. The Scriptures show us plainly in this passage that without humility we will not be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven. This gives me hope for the future that by learning to study and understand all that is contained in them that I will know how to live my life and know that Jesus will never turn me away if I come to Him with the right attitude and repentance in my heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted May 28, 2022 Report Share Posted May 28, 2022 1. What is the point of the parable that precedes the incident of Jesus and the Little Children? Why is that important to the interpretation of this passage? (18:9-14) In the preceding story, there was an encounter with the children. It was about humility. The proud and arrogant Pharisee when praying to God loudly and proudly proclaimed his giving to the poor and good conduct to justify his righteousness. But the Tax collector demonstrated humility by his humble posture and confession as a sinner. The Tax collector went home justified but not the Pharisee. This story is similar as children are seen among other qualities as symbol of humility. 2. Why would parents want to bring their babies and little children to Jesus? (18:15a) To be prayed for and be blessed by the Lord Jesus. 3. Why did the disciples rebuke the parents? What was the disciples' view of the children's importance? How did they see their actions as serving Jesus' interests? (18:15b) The disciples rebuked the parents because they thought taking the children who are not very important in the first place to Jesus, would disrupt the Lord’s schedule of preaching and healing. In their own view, the disciples thought their action was really good to ensure their Lord’s time was not wasted. 4. Why did Jesus interrupt his teaching to call all the children in the crowd to him at this point? In what sense is this a "teachable moment"? (18:16) Jesus interrupted his teaching to call the children to him so as to teach his disciples and everyone including us that, the kingdom of God is for people like the very children that were being looked down by the society and the disciples then, that is, people with simple faith and humility among other qualities. 5. What point is Jesus making by inviting the children to come freely? How does Jesus follow up on his action? He wanted to demonstrate that everyone was free to come to the kingdom of God 6. Children have lots of endearing (and not so endearing) characteristics. Which characteristics of children is Jesus pointing to in this context that he wants would-be disciples to emulate? Humility and faith 7. In what way does Jesus' teaching here offer hope to us who read it today? The Kingdome of God is ours if we will come forward in the simplicity, faith and humility of children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreilly Posted August 19, 2023 Report Share Posted August 19, 2023 Children have lots of endearing (and not so endearing) characteristics. Which characteristics of children is Jesus pointing to in this context that he wants would-be disciples to emulate? I think one of the characteristics Jesus is pointing out in children is their lack of corruption. As children, we often see more clearly right from wrong. As we age, we often rationalize and make excuses for our bad behavior based on cultural norms or comparisons to others. We become corrupted by the culture and messages surrounding us. The more we sin or are exposed to others sin, the more we become numb to it. It doesn't even shock us anymore. We aren't bothered by it as much and sometimes don't even notice it. We are reluctant to point out sin because we aren't living an upright lifestyle. It's like "The Emperor's New Clothes". Only the little child was willing and able to recognize and state the truth because he was not yet influenced by the sin (lies) surrounding him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George L Posted February 4 Report Share Posted February 4 What is the point of the parable that precedes the incident of Jesus and the Little Children? That our righteousness, what we think or do carry in annointing and trophies of our christain work are if no account. It is our need if Christ not our have that is right relationship. Why is that important to the interpretation of this passage? Because the children know they are welcome as they are not for what they can bring. They know in the culture they are considered unimportant. (18:9-14) Why would parents want to bring their babies and little children to Jesus? (18:15a) The tradition of bringing children to the temple or synagog on the 8th day or other for blessing. Why did the disciples rebuke the parents? The did not understand Jesus value system well. What was the disciples' view of the children's importance? Not appropriate concern for the lords time. How did they see their actions as serving Jesus' interests? It was a teaching point for the disciples, a demonstration to the people that the kingdom of God cared for all, not a select few. (18:15b) Why did Jesus interrupt his teaching to call all the children in the crowd to him at this point? I see the fishnet filled to breaking. The harvest will be all that can be drawn. In what sense is this a "teachable moment"? It causes inspection of ones values of those who are not yet mature and can do little for the kingdom now, yet are important for their future service.(18:16) What point is Jesus making by inviting the children to come freely? He is demonstrating the open welcome will draw all not just narrow selections. It is the welcome to outcasts that brings many in. How does Jesus follow up on his action? He makes sure the disciples hear that it is the acceptance of the children as having value though they seem to have little to bring that creates a joyous gather. Children have lots of endearing (and not so endearing) characteristics. Which characteristics of children is Jesus pointing to in this context that he wants would-be disciples to emulate? To come openly and joyously. In what way does Jesus' teaching here offer hope to us who read it today? Oh so many are burdened, downtrodden, ensnared in passed things. The Lord asked me why I was looking for the best fruit on the vine. Did I not trust Him to repair the weak, poor, damaged fruit. It is the damaged ones that give the greatest testamony and show the Lords loving kindness to the great cloud of wittnesses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godswriter Posted April 16 Report Share Posted April 16 What is the point of the parable that precedes the incident of Jesus and the Little Children? Why is that important to the interpretation of this passage? (18:9-14) A. The point of the parable to teach about true humility versus false humility or pride. Someone who truly seeks the Lord needs to humble themselves before the Lord. Why would parents want to bring their babies and little children to Jesus? (18:15a) A. The main reason is to be blessed by Jesus. Why did the disciples rebuke the parents? What was the disciples' view of the children's importance? How did they see their actions as serving Jesus' interests? (18:15b) A. The disciples did not see children as Jesus did. Jesus saw them as precious in His sight. The disciples considered them a nuisance and not truly important. Why did Jesus interrupt his teaching to call all the children in the crowd to him at this point? In what sense is this a "teachable moment"? (18:16) A. Jesus used the children as a teaching point about humility and how much humility is something that God is looking for in a What point is Jesus making by inviting the children to come freely? How does Jesus follow up on his action? The point was to show that children are welcome in the Kingdom of God because they have faith that is innocent and very trusting. He says that anyone who comes to Him like a child with childlike faith will be accepted. 6. Children have lots of endearing (and not so endearing) characteristics. Which characteristics of children is Jesus pointing to in this context that he wants would-be disciples to emulate? It is their childlike faith where they trust very easily and innocent. This is part of what He was talking about as well as humility. In what way does Jesus' teaching here offer hope to us who read it today? A. We can choose to come to Him anytime and He will be ready to answer us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.