Topic: CHILDLIKENESS [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 4 JUNE 2023
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CGMI SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE
DATE: SUNDAY 4th JUNE 2023
HYMN: S.S & S 642 “When We Walk With The Lord…”
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Childlike faith is a necessity for entrance into the kingdom of heaven
TOPIC:
CHILDLIKENESS
TEXT:
Matt 18:1-6; Mk 9:33-37; Lk 18:15-17
INTRODUCTION:
In the texts for this study, the Lord Jesus Christ highlights the necessity for all Christians to grow in the positive attributes of childlikeness in order to truly experience the reign of the kingdom of heaven in their daily lives here on earth. The disciples in Matthew 18 had become obsessed with their presumed value in God’s kingdom and turn their eyes away from the king and what the kingdom of heaven stood for, to themselves, as reflected in the questions they asked the Lord; “Which of us is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:3). This illustrates how easily pride and ego can set in among disciples.
The answer the Lord gave to the disciples and His other teachings about the place of childlikeness in the daily life of the believer will form the thrust of this study.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are to:
- To understand what it means to be childlike
- Understand how being “childlike” differs from being “childish”
- Understand how childlikeness promotes our relationship with God
- Understand the consequences of not being “childlike” and
- Understand how childlikeness or lack of it affects our relationship with fellow believers and unbelievers.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “CHILDLIKE” ?
Childlikeness, refers to “being like a child” and reflects the positive qualities of children that we tend to lose as we live in a world plague with self and sin. “Then He said , I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven”
Such qualities include being ever willing to learn and grow, having a tender conscience that feels guilty at the most minor of wrong doing, being open about our emotions and feelings, finding it easy to forgive others and not keeping a records of wrongs, maintaining the ability of wonders and awe, trust and undying love.
QUESTION 2. HOW DOES CHILDLIKENESS DIFFER FROM BEING CHILDISH ?
Childlikeness as already discussed above is different from childishness. The word “childish” usually goes with a negative connotation and refers to the presence of “the qualities of a child ina person who is no longer a child and therefore is expected to do or know better”. It highlights the presence of such qualities as naivety, ignorance, silliness or lack of maturity that is prevalent in children. The scriptures nowhere encourage us to be immature or childish.
Soon after salvation, we are enjoined to crave pure spiritual milk so that hat we can grow into the fullness of salvation (1Pt 2:2). Paul was saddened by the fact that although the Hebrews Christians had been born again for long, they needed someone to keep teaching them the basic things a beginner must learn about the scriptures (Heb 5:12). The Hebrew christians were apparently faltering with regard to sin and had very little understanding of the Christian faith which should shape every aspect of their lives. He concludes that as christians we must not take a habit of going over the basics of Christianity again and again but fo ahead and become mature in our understanding (1Cor 14:20). The foundational teachings/concepts which Paul expected all Christians to have a full grasp of include the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God, clarity on the meaning and value of baptism, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement (Heb 6:1-3)
QUESTION 3. WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF NOT BEING CHILDLIKE ? (Matt 18:3)
The Christian who does not place himself/herself in the place of a child will not experience the blessings that accrue to us as God’s children to any significant extent. Times are hard currently, economically, but this is not the preoccupation of a three years old child. He/she just trusts that there will be food to eat tomorrow, that the father will buy her new clothes and pay his/her school fees as at when due. That is how the Father expects us to relate with Him…to trust in Him and not be anxious or live in unbelief. Christians who are not childlike will not rely on the promises of God to have their needs met, will not live with peace of mind and may suffer lack. Absence of childlikeness, may affect the christians’ relationship badly that he/she details and lives in unbelief and sin. He/she will not please God on earth and is at risk of not making heaven.
QUESTION 4. HOW DOES BEING CHILDLIKE AFFECT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, OTHER CHRISTIANS AND UNBELIEVERS ?
The kingdom of heaven represents the sphere of influence or reign of Christ on earth now. We pray in the Lord’s prayer “…thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. The kingdom can only have one king, one Sovereign, around whom everything revolves and to whom everyone submits. Faith in what the king says is the only way we can please Him. It is by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross that we become saved and subjects of the kingdom. It is by faith too, that we make progress in the things of God as we walk in obedience to the word of God daily. The other childlike attitudes are also primary to living in fellowship with the Father. For example, when we do not forgive those that trespassed against us, the Father will not forgive our sins too. We need to maintain a continuous hunger and thirst for righteousness if we are to get filled (Matt 5:6). The Lord blessed those who have humble and contrite hearts, who trembles at His word (Isa 66:2).
The class should discuss how having or not having the following childlike attributes affect our relationship with believers and unbelievers:
a. Love for others
b. Forgiveness and not keeping a record of wrongs
c. Trust
d. Not esteeming ourselves more highly than we thought
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
It is difficult for us to walk with the Lord if we do not daily place ourselves in the place of children who trust the Father and live in obedience to His word. The reasons are obvious, He is eternal, All powerful, Omnipresent and All-knowing while we are the opposite. We can never fully understand Him but He will reveal enough of Himself, His nature and power, for us to learn to trust Him daily. We must maintain the childlike attributes discussed to be able to experience God’s grace and power in our daily lives. We must trust the Father for who He says He is, view everything and everyone else from the perspective of God’s word and trust that the Father will do what He says He will do. Such simplicity of faith and trust represents the very peak of Christian life and experience. Growing childlike attributes will help us not esteem ourselves better than others and help us make allowance for the short comings of others
MEMORY VERSE
(Matt 18:3 NLT) “Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven”.
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