Children Are Important

[Luk 18:15-17 NIV] 15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Keywords: Children and Disciples

Children were the instrument to pass on the traditions. In the parable, children may have two meanings. The reference can be for children under the age of twelve as well as adults being given the training in an informal setting.[1]

The disciple is a word that originated from the New Testament.[2] It means learner or pupil. The role of the disciple is to learn, study, and pass along the saying and teachings of the master. The learner would become the master to others. The term is not found in many occurrences in the Old Testament. Disciples were individuals who selected their teachers. Jesus selected his pupils. He called men of different backgrounds. Several of the individuals that followed Jesus were social outcasts. He did obtain followers of wealthy and religious backgrounds.

Jesus taught the people that we are to spend time with the children; teaching them what is important to us regarding the Kingdom of Heaven. We are to nurture our children with sound doctrine. Teaching children will grow our understanding. The child asks questions that adults would have to think about answering. As we think of a simple manner to explain most questions, it increases our knowledge as well. We can all learn from one another. Think about the questions that you asked as a child. Talk to your children and learn from them as you teach them about God and the meaning of Christianity.

Bibliography

“Family.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 555-557. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 199-265. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

Scott, Jr., J. Julius. Jewish Background of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1995.

Sloan, Jr., Robert. B. “Disciples.” In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 424-425. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

[1] “Family,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 555-557. [2] Robert B. Sloan, Jr., “Disciples,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 424-425.