Wednesday, September 05, 2007
LEARNING FROM CHILDREN
As parents, we often see ourselves as wise teachers with much wisdom to impart to our children. But have we ever stopped to think that there is much we can learn from our children?
In his gospel, Mark records that people once brought little children to Jesus to have Him touch them (Mark 10:13-16). The word for “little children” is paidia, and can refer to children ranging from babies to preteens. Those long-ago parents wanted Jesus to bless their children. That is an admirable desire for any parent!
However, their plans seemed to be thwarted when Jesus’ disciples tried to keep the little ones from approaching the Master. Indignant, Jesus told the disciples to let the children come to Him, “for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” The disciples had much to learn. So, too, do those of us who count ourselves as 21st-century followers of Jesus.
I have much to learn from Jesus. I also have much to learn from the little children who are close to His heart. In fact, could it be that we adults need to become less childish and more childlike?
There are many characteristics about children that are instructive.
For example, children are small. We adults would do well to learn the way of “smallness.” Specifically, we should be small in our own eyes, practicing the way of humility. The Bible is quite clear that God thinks lowly of the proud, but thinks highly of the humble (James 4:6). Therefore, let us learn from our children and become “small.”
Second, children are very trusting. I don’t know about you, but at times I sure can be skeptical. I suspect that I am not alone. Surely we adults have much to learn from our children in the “trust department.” Moreover, children are open to God, often much more so than adults. In fact, my pastoral experience has been that children are among the easiest people to lead to the Lord. Notably Jesus says, “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15).
Third, children are sincere. Adults are good at hiding thoughts and emotions. We are adept at putting on masks and are often masters of deception. Children, on the other hand, are easy to read and are characterized by genuineness. There is much about the sincerity of children that we adults should emulate.
No doubt about it, we adults have a good deal to learn from children. As the new school year begins, and we seek to fill our little ones’ heads with all kinds of knowledge, let us remember that we adults have some things to learn as well … and our children might be some of our best teachers!
In his gospel, Mark records that people once brought little children to Jesus to have Him touch them (Mark 10:13-16). The word for “little children” is paidia, and can refer to children ranging from babies to preteens. Those long-ago parents wanted Jesus to bless their children. That is an admirable desire for any parent!
However, their plans seemed to be thwarted when Jesus’ disciples tried to keep the little ones from approaching the Master. Indignant, Jesus told the disciples to let the children come to Him, “for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” The disciples had much to learn. So, too, do those of us who count ourselves as 21st-century followers of Jesus.
I have much to learn from Jesus. I also have much to learn from the little children who are close to His heart. In fact, could it be that we adults need to become less childish and more childlike?
There are many characteristics about children that are instructive.
For example, children are small. We adults would do well to learn the way of “smallness.” Specifically, we should be small in our own eyes, practicing the way of humility. The Bible is quite clear that God thinks lowly of the proud, but thinks highly of the humble (James 4:6). Therefore, let us learn from our children and become “small.”
Second, children are very trusting. I don’t know about you, but at times I sure can be skeptical. I suspect that I am not alone. Surely we adults have much to learn from our children in the “trust department.” Moreover, children are open to God, often much more so than adults. In fact, my pastoral experience has been that children are among the easiest people to lead to the Lord. Notably Jesus says, “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15).
Third, children are sincere. Adults are good at hiding thoughts and emotions. We are adept at putting on masks and are often masters of deception. Children, on the other hand, are easy to read and are characterized by genuineness. There is much about the sincerity of children that we adults should emulate.
No doubt about it, we adults have a good deal to learn from children. As the new school year begins, and we seek to fill our little ones’ heads with all kinds of knowledge, let us remember that we adults have some things to learn as well … and our children might be some of our best teachers!
