Let the Children Come: Raising Generational Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Elbowing Through the Crowd to Bring Children to Jesus

Parents in Luke 18 refused to let obstacles stop them from bringing their children to Jesus. Their determination mirrors the urgency we must have in creating pathways for the next generation to encounter Christ. Just as they pushed through a resistant crowd, we must actively remove barriers—whether attitudes, distractions, or outdated traditions—that keep young ones from knowing Him. The disciples’ rebuke reveals how even well-meaning believers can hinder faith. Our call is to persistently advocate for those still learning to walk with Jesus. [34:10]

"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'" (Mark 10:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: What practical step can you take this week to help a child or teenager encounter Jesus? Is there a barrier in your own attitude or actions that needs to be removed?

Day 2: The Look That Changes Everything

Jesus’ indignation at the disciples’ rejection of children reveals His heart for the undervalued. His corrective gaze challenges us to examine where we’ve prioritized convenience over compassion. Like the disciples, we might unintentionally dismiss those who seem disruptive or unimportant. Yet Christ’s response—a fiery defense of their worth—calls us to see others through His eyes: not as interruptions, but as image-bearers worthy of pursuit. [51:01]

"But Jesus called them to him, saying, 'Let the children come to me, and 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.'" (Luke 18:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: When have you recently treated someone as an inconvenience rather than a divine appointment? How can you cultivate Christ’s perspective in your daily interactions?

Day 3: Empty Hands and Bear-Hug Faith

Jesus praised childlike dependence—the kind that clings without pretense. The Pharisee’s self-righteousness and the rich ruler’s self-sufficiency both failed, while the tax collector’s raw confession opened heaven’s door. Spiritual maturity begins with admitting we bring nothing but need. Like a toddler gripping a parent’s neck, saving faith holds tightly to Christ alone, trusting His strength over our performance. [56:20]

"But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other." (Luke 18:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: What “spiritual resume” item have you been clinging to instead of Christ’s mercy? How can you practice raw, unguarded dependence today?

Day 4: Mint Wrappers and Kingdom Welcome

The story of Amy and Matt’s disruptive children—and the church’s gracious response—shows how small acts of kindness remove barriers. When older members said, “We’ve been there,” they mirrored Christ’s welcome. Every awkward moment—a crying baby, a loud prayer request, a slow mint unwrapper—is an opportunity to choose compassion over criticism, remembering our own need for grace. [46:48]

"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Romans 15:7, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community needs you to say “We’ve been there” this week? How can you turn a potential irritation into an invitation?

Day 5: Praying Beyond Our Lifespan

The closing prayer for future generations challenges us to invest in what we may never see. Like parents elbowing through crowds for their children’s blessing, we plant gospel seeds in faith. This legacy mindset shifts our focus from immediate results to eternal impact, trusting God to multiply our efforts across generations. [01:02:19]

"One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." (Psalm 145:4, ESV)

Reflection: What specific prayer can you start praying today for someone who’ll come to faith after you’re gone? How does this change how you live now?

Sermon Summary

Luke 18 gathers the kingdom of God into clear focus. Jesus sets the tone with the persistent widow: the kingdom trains people to always pray and not lose heart. Then the text lays a sharp contrast in the temple. The Pharisee stands tall on his resume. The tax collector beats his chest and will not lift his eyes. God sends the justified man home as the one who pleads for mercy, not the one who announces his merit. The doorway into God’s kingdom is too low for the proud to walk through.

In the middle of this, the picture shifts from the temple to a crowd where parents keep bringing their children to Jesus. The verb keeps the line moving. They are not coming once. They keep elbowing through because they have to get their kids to Jesus. The disciples rebuke them, and Jesus becomes indignant. His word lands with a look: let the little children come to me; do not hinder them. The kingdom belongs to such as these. Jesus does not say the kingdom belongs to children alone, but to those who come like them, with dependence and humility.

That childlike dependence unmasks the rich ruler. He can stack commands, but Jesus puts a finger on the rival love. God does not play second chair. Jesus has the wheel. Anything loved more than God becomes a block in the road. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for the self-secure to squeeze in. Yet what is impossible with man is possible with God.

The text then turns the crowd into a mirror. Who stands there? The Pharisee who trusts a record? The rich man who trusts possessions? The disciple who, in the name of order, becomes a barrier? The parent who will not quit bringing a child to Jesus? The child who simply comes? Rock of Ages sings the right posture: nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling. The picture is a toddler’s cling, those little arms with the strength of Samson and the Hulk around a parent’s neck. That is how the kingdom is received. And because Jesus welcomes like this, the church must remove what hinders, treat kids as disciples not distractions, and create spaces and systems that say, what can be done to help you when you come back. The King is welcoming. His people should make room.

Key Takeaways

1. Receive the kingdom like children. [55:53] The kingdom is received, not achieved. Childlike trust does not argue a case or present a resume. It simply takes Jesus at his word and comes empty handed. That posture is not immaturity; it is clarity about who saves and who needs saving. [55:53]
2. The doorway is too low for pride. [53:43] Self-congratulation bangs its head on the lintel of grace. The Pharisee’s prayer never asked for mercy because it never admitted need. God lifts the one who bows, and he humbles the one who stands tall on performance. [53:43]
3. Remove barriers, make room for kids. [46:48] Jesus forbids hindering children, so the church must translate welcome into practice. Treating kids as distractions, neglecting disabilities, or making ministry an afterthought trains the next generation to feel second class. Hospitality that says, we’ve been there, how can we help, clears a path to Christ. [46:48]
4. Jesus takes first place, not second. [54:31] The rich ruler’s goodness could not cancel a greater love. Whether much or little, money and comfort make poor masters and worse saviors. The kingdom begins when rivals are named and surrendered, and Jesus keeps the wheel. [54:31]
5. Pray and persist without losing heart. [32:03] Kingdom people do not measure prayer by immediacy but by faithfulness. Persistent prayer reshapes desire, keeps dependence fresh, and opens space for God to do what only God can do. Mountains move on his timetable, and hearts are strengthened while they wait. [32:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[26:10] - Bibles and Local Mission Offering
[27:49] - Opening Prayer and Worship Gratitude
[29:14] - Church Upbringings and Faith Journeys
[31:12] - Luke 18 and the Kingdom
[33:06] - Parents Determined To Bring Kids
[38:43] - Disciples Rebuke, Barriers Rise
[41:56] - When Kids Feel Like Distractions
[46:33] - A Church That Says We’ve Been There
[49:07] - Investing In Next-Gen Spaces
[50:20] - Let The Little Children Come
[52:54] - The Tax Collector’s Prayer
[53:43] - A Doorway Too Low For Pride
[54:31] - Jesus First, Everything Else Second
[55:53] - Receive The Kingdom Like A Child

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Luke 18:15-17 (ESV)
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and 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.”

Observation Questions

In Luke 18:15, parents kept bringing infants to Jesus despite the disciples’ objections. What does the original verb tense suggest about their persistence? ([34:10])
How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ rebuke of the parents, and what does His reaction reveal about His priorities?
The sermon contrasts the Pharisee’s prayer (Luke 18:11-12) with the tax collector’s prayer (Luke 18:13). What key difference in their postures stood out? ([52:54])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus connect childlike dependence to entering the kingdom of God (Luke 18:17)? How does this contrast with the Pharisee’s approach to righteousness?
The tax collector’s prayer was short but effective: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” What does this teach about the relationship between humility and justification? ([53:07])
The rich ruler in Luke 18:18-25 claimed to follow the commandments but walked away sad. Why did Jesus highlight his wealth as the barrier to the kingdom?

Application Questions

Childlike dependence means coming to God “empty-handed.” What attitudes or habits in your life might reflect self-reliance instead of clinging to Christ’s grace? ([56:31])
The disciples unintentionally hindered children from approaching Jesus. Are there ways your actions or assumptions might create barriers for others (e.g., kids, newcomers, or those with disabilities) in your faith community? ([46:48])
The rich ruler’s love for wealth rivaled his love for God. What comforts, achievements, or relationships do you struggle to surrender to Jesus as “first place” in your heart?
Persistent prayer is a mark of kingdom people. How can you cultivate a rhythm of prayer that reshapes your desires and deepens dependence on God? ([32:03])
The church in the sermon story asked, “What can we do to help you when you come back?” What practical step could you take this week to make someone feel welcomed and valued in your community? ([46:33])

Sermon Clips

33s

#ComeEmptyHanded

“The wonderful truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is this, when we come empty handed to Jesus, he doesn't turn us away. That is the good news of Christ. That when you come to Jesus, he doesn't turn us away. So the invitation is simple. Come to Christ. Come to Jesus this morning for the forgiveness of your sin, for the salvation work that Christ brings to you. Come into his kingdom with that childlike faith and dependence upon Christ.”

46s

#DontHinderKids

“You you wanna know who's is preventing kids from coming to Jesus? Look at verse 15. It's actually shocking. When the disciples saw it, when the disciples saw what was happening, they rebuked the parents. Again, the word rebuke in the verb tense that it's in, it's an ongoing action. They are scolding the parents. They are strongly correcting them. Let the irony hang for a second. These are people following Jesus that are hindering parents from bringing their kids to Jesus. That doesn't add up, does it?”

37s

#LetChildrenCome

“I think Jesus had a look. I really do. And I think there's times where Jesus let out a sigh and gave the disciples the look. Because Mark's gospel is a little stronger than Luke's gospel on this because Luke Mark's gospel says in verse 16 that Jesus became indignant toward them. He's angry toward them. He's giving them the look. So verse 16 has a little punch to it. Let the children come to me. Stop it. Quit it. You're hindering them.”

37s

#ClingToChrist

“This morning, let me call you to cling to Christ like a child clings to their parent. How many of you know that clinging? You pick up the toddler and they wrap those little arms around your neck with the strength of Samson and the incredible Hulk combined. Cling in such a way as a toddler to their child. Cling in such a way as a child a toddler clings to the bear that parent. Cling to Christ for your hope and your salvation in all things. Come to Christ in that way because that's who comes into the kingdom.”

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Let the Children Come: Raising Generational Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Elbowing Through the Crowd to Bring Children to Jesus

Day 2: The Look That Changes Everything

Day 3: Empty Hands and Bear-Hug Faith

Day 4: Mint Wrappers and Kingdom Welcome

Day 5: Praying Beyond Our Lifespan

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Let the Children Come: Raising Generational Faith

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