Embracing Spiritual Birth and Childlike Faith
Summary
Today’s focus is on the profound importance of spiritual birth and the childlike faith that Jesus calls each of us to embrace. While every person in this country receives a physical birth certificate, there is a far more significant “spiritual birth certificate” that grants us entry into God’s family and His kingdom. This spiritual birth is not achieved by our own efforts, but by trusting in Jesus Christ alone—His sacrifice, His resurrection, and His grace. Without this new birth, no one can truly know God as Father or enter His kingdom.
Children hold a special place in the heart of God. Jesus not only welcomed them, but also used them as the model for what it means to enter His kingdom. He taught that unless we humble ourselves and become like children—trusting, dependent, and full of wonder—we cannot see or enter the kingdom of heaven. This humility is not natural to us; pride is our default setting. Yet, Jesus calls us to lay aside our self-sufficiency and receive His kingdom with the open hands and open hearts of a child.
The ministry to children, such as through Vacation Bible School, is not just a program but a vital mission. Most people who come to faith do so at a young age, and the seeds planted in childhood often bear fruit later in life. Parents, especially fathers, are called to model godliness and to point their children to Jesus, knowing that the world is eager to claim their hearts. The church’s role is to be a bridge, not a barrier, to Christ—welcoming, celebrating, and nurturing every new believer, whether they are young in age or simply young in faith.
Jesus also issues a sobering warning: anyone who leads a child—or a new believer—astray faces severe consequences. Our responsibility is to remove every obstacle that might keep someone from coming to Jesus, ensuring that our lives and our church are always pointing people toward Him. Ultimately, the question is not how many good works we have done, but whether we have been born again—whether we have that spiritual birth certificate, signed by the blood of Christ, that secures our place in God’s family forever.
Key Takeaways
- Spiritual Birth Is Essential, Not Optional
Just as a physical birth certificate grants access to the rights of citizenship, a spiritual birth—being born again through faith in Christ—is the only way to enter God’s kingdom. No amount of religious activity, morality, or tradition can substitute for this new birth. Jesus is the only way, and without Him, we remain outside the family of God. [38:24]
- Childlike Faith, Not Childishness, Is the Doorway to the Kingdom
Jesus calls us to humble ourselves and receive His kingdom as a child does: with trust, dependence, and wonder. This is radically countercultural, as our world prizes self-sufficiency and pride. True greatness in God’s eyes is found in humility, not in status or achievement, and we must continually fight the temptation to put ourselves at the center. [52:52]
- The Church Must Prioritize and Protect the Next Generation
Children are not just the future of the church—they are the present. Ministry to children is vital because the majority of believers come to faith at a young age. Parents and the church must work together to plant seeds of faith, knowing that God’s Word never returns void, and to model what it means to follow Jesus in every area of life. [49:46]
- Welcoming New Believers Reflects the Heart of Christ
When someone comes to faith—no matter their age or background—the church is called to receive and celebrate them as Christ Himself would. We must never lose our sense of wonder at salvation, nor become indifferent to the miracle of new birth. Rekindling our own amazement at the gospel keeps our hearts soft and our witness vibrant. [51:27]
- We Are Called to Be Bridges, Not Barriers, to Jesus
Jesus issues a stern warning against causing others—especially the young or spiritually young—to stumble. Our lives, teaching, and attitudes must always point people toward Christ, never away from Him. If anything in us or our community becomes a stumbling block, we must be ruthless in removing it, for the stakes are eternal. [01:06:08]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction: Father’s Day and Spiritual Birth Certificates
[05:10] - The Importance of Spiritual Birth
[10:30] - VBS: Reaching the Next Generation
[15:20] - Jesus’ Love for Children
[18:45] - Mark 10 and Matthew 18: The Childlike Heart
[22:08] - Jesus’ Indignation and the Value of Children
[27:00] - Humility: The Pathway to Greatness
[32:52] - The Countercultural Call to Be Childlike
[38:24] - The Urgency of Ministering to Children
[44:51] - Applauding Spiritual Decisions
[49:46] - The Role of Parents and the Church
[52:52] - Pride vs. Humility in the Kingdom
[01:06:08] - Avoiding Spiritual Confusion and Stumbling Blocks
[01:07:07] - The Need for a Spiritual “Hard Reset”
[01:08:17] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
[01:13:59] - Celebration of New Life in Christ
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Spiritual Birth & Childlike Faith
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### Bible Reading
Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)
> And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Matthew 18:1-6 (ESV)
> At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 10, how did Jesus respond when the disciples tried to keep children from coming to Him? What word does the Bible use to describe His reaction? [42:08]
2. According to Matthew 18, what does Jesus say is required to enter the kingdom of heaven? What does He use as an example for the disciples? [44:51]
3. What warning does Jesus give about causing “one of these little ones” to stumble or sin? [52:52]
4. In the sermon, what did the pastor say about the importance of a “spiritual birth certificate” compared to a physical one? [38:24]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus used a child as the example for entering the kingdom of God, instead of an adult or a religious leader? What qualities in children might He be highlighting? [44:51]
2. The sermon says that humility is not natural to us and that pride is our “default setting.” Why is humility so important for spiritual birth and entering God’s kingdom? [52:52]
3. Jesus gives a strong warning about leading children or new believers astray. What does this tell us about how God views our influence on others, especially those who are young in age or faith? [52:52]
4. The pastor mentioned that most people come to faith at a young age and that seeds planted in childhood often bear fruit later. What does this suggest about the role of children’s ministry and the responsibility of parents and the church? [49:46]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon compared a physical birth certificate to a spiritual one. Have you ever thought about your own “spiritual birth certificate”? How do you know you have been “born again”? If you’re not sure, what questions do you have? [38:24]
2. Jesus says we must receive the kingdom of God like a child. What does childlike faith look like in your life right now? Are there areas where you struggle to trust God simply and fully? [44:51]
3. The pastor said that pride is our default setting and that we must humble ourselves to enter God’s kingdom. Can you think of a recent situation where pride got in the way of your relationship with God or others? What would it look like to respond with humility instead? [52:52]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of ministering to children and the next generation. If you are a parent, grandparent, or have influence over kids, what is one practical way you can point them to Jesus this week? If you’re not around children, how can you support the church’s ministry to them? [49:46]
5. Jesus warns against being a stumbling block to others, especially new believers or children. Is there anything in your life—an attitude, habit, or action—that could be keeping someone else from coming closer to Jesus? What steps can you take to remove that obstacle? [52:52]
6. The pastor said, “We should never get over the wonder of our salvation.” Have you lost your sense of amazement at what Jesus has done for you? What is one thing you can do this week to rekindle your gratitude and joy in the gospel? [51:27]
7. The church is called to welcome and celebrate new believers. How can our small group or church do a better job of making people feel welcomed, valued, and encouraged in their faith—no matter their age or background? [51:27]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for the gift of spiritual birth through Jesus. Ask Him to help you trust Him with childlike faith, to humble yourself, and to be a bridge—not a barrier—for others to come to Christ. Pray for the children and new believers in your life and in the church.
Devotional
Day 1: Entering the Kingdom with Childlike Faith
To enter the kingdom of God, we must come with the humble, trusting faith of a child. Jesus made it clear that spiritual birth is essential—no one can see or enter the kingdom without being born again. This new birth is not something we can achieve through our own efforts, but is a gift received by trusting in Christ alone. Just as children depend on their parents for everything, we are called to depend wholly on our Heavenly Father, laying aside pride and self-sufficiency. The kingdom belongs to those who receive it with open, childlike hearts, not those who try to earn their way in. [42:08]
Mark 10:13-16 (ESV)
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it hardest to trust God with a childlike faith, and how can you take a step today to surrender that area to Him?
Day 2: The Humility Required for Greatness
True greatness in God’s kingdom is found not in status or achievement, but in humility. Jesus taught that unless we turn and become like children—humble, lowly, and dependent—we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The world may see humility as weakness, but in God’s eyes, it is the path to greatness. We must lay down our pride, our self-importance, and our desire to be first, and instead embrace the posture of a child who knows their need for grace. [44:51]
Matthew 18:1-4 (ESV)
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Reflection: Where is pride keeping you from humbling yourself before God or others, and what practical step can you take today to choose humility?
Day 3: Welcoming and Celebrating New Believers
When someone comes to faith in Christ, whether young or old, we are called to welcome and celebrate them as we would welcome Jesus Himself. Jesus elevated the value of children and new believers, teaching that to receive one such child in His name is to receive Him. The church is to be a place of open arms, rejoicing over every new spiritual birth, never losing the wonder of salvation. We must guard against becoming complacent or indifferent, and instead rekindle our amazement at God’s saving work in every life. [52:52]
Matthew 18:5 (ESV)
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.”
Reflection: Think of someone who is new in their faith—how can you encourage, welcome, or celebrate them this week as a reflection of Christ’s love?
Day 4: Guarding Against Leading Others Astray
Jesus gave a sobering warning about the seriousness of causing others, especially new believers or children, to stumble or be led astray. He said it would be better to have a millstone tied around one’s neck and be drowned than to cause a “little one” to sin. Our actions, words, and attitudes can either be a bridge to Jesus or a barrier. We must be vigilant to remove anything in our lives that could hinder others from coming to Christ, and take seriously our responsibility to nurture and protect the faith of those who are spiritually young. [01:06:08]
Matthew 18:6-9 (ESV)
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.”
Reflection: Is there anything in your life—an attitude, habit, or influence—that could be a stumbling block to someone else’s faith? What will you do today to remove it?
Day 5: The Necessity of Spiritual New Birth
Every person needs more than a physical birth certificate; we need a spiritual birth certificate—a new birth that comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. Religion, good works, or rituals are not enough; only a “hard reset” through Christ’s saving work can make us new. This spiritual birth brings us into God’s family, gives us a new identity, and secures our place in His kingdom. Today, the invitation is open to receive this gift by trusting in Jesus, turning from sin, and embracing the new life He offers. [01:07:07]
John 1:12-13 (ESV)
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Reflection: Have you experienced the spiritual new birth that only Jesus can give? If not, what is holding you back from trusting Him today? If you have, how can you share this gift with someone else this week?
Quotes