Going Deeper in "How to Raise Self-Confident Children"
Mark 10:13-16
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Read the following a few times:
Reflect on the following:
1. What examples of blessings for children can you find in the Bible? Consider passages like Genesis 48:14-16 or Deuteronomy 6:4-9. What do these examples teach us?
2. Reflect on your own experiences with blessings as a child. How did those blessings shape your faith journey? If you didn’t receive many blessings, how might that impact your view of giving blessings now?
3. In your experience or observations, how do blessings influence a child's self-esteem, faith, and relationship with God? Share any stories you have.
4. How does Jesus’ act of blessing the children illustrate the value He placed on children? What significance do you see in Jesus taking the children in His arms and blessing them?
5. How does Jesus respond to the disciples’ attempts to prevent the children from approaching Him? What does this teach us about His priorities?
6. How can a church community come together to bless children? What initiatives might strengthen this practice?
7. What does Jesus mean when He says that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (the children)? What qualities do children possess that are valued in the kingdom?
Challenges
1. This week, find one way to express childlike faith in your daily life. It could be through simple trust in God, approaching a situation with curiosity, or showing humility in your interactions.
2. For one week, commit to blessing a child (yours or someone else's) every day. This can be a verbal blessing, a note, or a small act of kindness. Reflect on the impact this has on both you and the child.