EVENTS The Kingdom of God (Part 2) (Matthew 18:1‐4; Luke 18:15‐17) Series entitled: “The History of the World” Sub‐Series: “Jesus: The Heart of God” March 12th, 2017 Something to think about: Oh, to be a kid again; where the biggest problems in life are remembering where you left your “blanky,” and whether or not you can have another cookie after dinner. There’s something about the naiveté and innocence of childhood that is not only amusing, but also refreshing. Because they are unencumbered with the complicated nuances that come with adulthood, children have a spirit of freedom that makes them endearing. During the final phases of Jesus’ ministry on earth, while Jesus and the disciples made their final approach to Jerusalem, they would encounter many people and situations along the way. On several occasions Jesus would encounter little children. As He always did, He used these moments as teachable moments with His followers. On two specific occasions, Jesus’ encounter with children served the purpose of teaching about the requirements for entering Heaven/the Kingdom of God. Let’s take a look… Matthew 18:1‐4 (NLT) 1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 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. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Luke 18:15‐17 (NLT) 15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. 16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” So, what’s the take‐away this morning from these two passages about the Kingdom of God
? Key Point: “We must become ‘child‐like’ not ‘childish’ in order to enter the Kingdom of God/Heaven.” But, how do we do this as adults? What are some of the qualities that most children have that most adults don’t that make them so loveable, and how can we learn to become like children in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven/God?… 1. Children have a unique sense of trust. Even when times are scarce, children don’t often think about and/or worry about where their next meal is coming from, or where they will lay their heads at night. There is a sense of unequivocal trust that children have toward their parents and adults that keeps worry and anxiety at bay. 2. Children have a sense of wonder and amazement. Children look at most things with a sense of wonder and awe, and have the energy and unbound creativity and imagination to see the world through a lens of joy and fun. Don’t believe me? How often have you seen a child play with the box that a toy came in more than the toy itself, or how they look at the starry sky on a clear night, or how they experience seeing the ocean for the first time? For children, every experience is new, and every moment an opportunity for adventure. 3. Children are typically forgiving of others. Children have this uncanny ability to be fighting tooth and nail one moment and be best friends the next. The reason? They are willing to swallow their pride and let offenses slide much quicker than adults because they don’t like tension and fighting. They are quick to forgive and forget so that they can move on with the more important aspects of life: living at peace and having fun. This is the “care free” nature inborn in children. Something to take home: Children of God have a unique sense of trust. They trust the Father to provide for their basic needs and to sustain them when times get tough. Children of God can live in the moment knowing that God is with them and they are not alone – come what may. Children of God also have learned to live with a sense of wonder and amazement. They’ve learned – and continue to learn – that God never ceases to amaze in the blessings He gives and the love He bestows. Lastly, children of God have learned to forgive others. They have learned to forgive because God first forgave them. And, if God can forgive them, then He can help them forgive others. So, are you living a life of child‐like qualities, or are you living a life of childish, selfish behavior? Are you trusting and forgiving? Do you have a sense of wonder and amazement? NOTES: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ North Main Exists to… “Develop completely commi ed followers of Christ who:
Know Christ in mately,
Grow in Christ con nually, and,
Go for Christ daily;
Through: Core Families,
Community Partnerships, and
Global Connec ons.
Copyright © 2017 North Main Street Church of God, Inc.
LESSON 5:
“THE KINGDOM OF GOD (PART 2)”
(MATTHEW 18:1-4; LUKE
LUKE 18:15-17)
The Kingdom of God (Part 2) (Ma hew 18:1‐4; Luke 18:15‐17) Series en tled: “The History of the World” Sub‐Series: “Jesus: The Heart of God” March 12th, 2017 KICK STARTERS: 

What is one of the favorite memories you have from childhood? What is it about children that makes you laugh? SCRIPTURE: (Before studying this material, consider listening to the corresponding message online at: h p://www.northmaincog.org/media/sermon‐media) Ma hew 18:1‐4 (NLT) 1 About that me the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a li le child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like li le children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this li le child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Luke 18:15‐17 (NLT) 15 One day some parents brought their li le children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. 16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” GROUP DISCUSSION: 1. A er reading the passages for today’s discussion, what is going on in the texts?
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______________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Jesus says not only do we need to turn from sin in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but that we must also become like “li le children.” What do you think Jesus means when He says we must become like “li le children”? ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Jesus also says that we must “receive” the Kingdom of God like a child. What does this look like?
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______________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What is the difference between “child‐like” behavior, and “childish” behavior? Give examples… ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Children, by their very nature, tend to be trus ng of parents and adults early on in childhood. What is it that makes children so trus ng? When and why do children begin to lose their trust of people?
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______________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. As children of God, why is it important for us to trust God? What happens when we don’t trust God? ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Children, by their very nature, tend to have a sense of wonder and amazement. What kinds of things amaze children that do not amaze adults? Give some examples… ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. As children grow into adults, why do you think they lose a sense of wonder and amazement? How can we keep from losing a sense of wonder and amazement as adults?
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______________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. Children, by their very nature, tend to be very forgiving of others. How is it that children can be figh ng one moment and then playing together the next? How can they get over things so fast? ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. As adults, why is it so difficult to forgive others who have hurt us? As children of God, why are we supposed to forgive others? ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. A er looking at the quali es of children, does it make more sense why Jesus said we must become like children to enter the Kingdom of God/Heaven? Why, or why not? ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________ SELF‐EVALUATION/APPLICATION:  This week, consider the characteris cs and quality traits of children that made them so endearing to Jesus. Begin to try to live out these traits this week.  How can you be more trus ng? How can you be more forgiving? How can you regain a sense of awe and wonder and amazement?