Let the Little Children Come: Faith Begins Young

Apr 23, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Hands That Bless the Children

Parents pressed through the crowd, toddlers squirming in their arms. Dusty sandals shuffled near Jesus as disciples tried blocking their path. He stopped mid-sentence, stretched calloused hands toward a child. “Let them come.” Heat baked the Judean hillside as He prayed blessings over each head, kingdom words drowning out scolding voices. [01:07:08]

Jesus didn’t tolerate gatekeepers. He rebuked grown men to elevate the least important. His touch transferred authority—not just to kids, but to frazzled parents doubting their worth. Heaven’s King declared children essential to His mission, not distractions from “real” work.

You’ve felt the disciples’ glare when your child fussed during prayer. But Christ still interrupts sermons for sticky hands. What if today’s tantrum is tomorrow’s testimony? When did you last ask God to bless the chaos of your parenting?

“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
(Matthew 19:13-14, CSB)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to help you see interruptions as holy moments.
Challenge: Write an encouraging note to one child in your church this week.

Day 2: Adopted into the Family Circle

Miss Betty’s arthritic hands gripped teenagers’ shoulders during altar calls. Grandmas packed Operation Christmas Child boxes while widowers taught third-grade boys to fish. The church became surrogate parents for college students texting “I’m the only Christian at my Thanksgiving table.” [01:09:48]

Jesus built His Church as an adoption agency. When biological families fail or fade, the Body provides grandparents, mentors, and emergency casserole crews. Every baptismal certificate comes with 100 aunts and uncles sworn to pray.

Your seat isn’t accidental. That fidgety teen behind you needs your “How’s school?” more than your silent judgment. Who have you overlooked because they don’t share your last name?

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
(Galatians 6:10, CSB)

Prayer: Confess one prejudice against someone outside your age group.
Challenge: Invite a college student or young family to share a meal with you.

Day 3: The Fourteen-Year-Old Faith

Barna graphs spiked like EKG readings: 43% saved before 13, 64% before 18. Preachers analyzed data while children doodled Noah’s ark in Sunday school. A six-year-old scribbled “Dear God, make me pretty since I’m not smart” as researchers tallied salvation statistics. [01:01:09]

God numbers hairs, not just conversions. Jesus honored Sally’s dinosaur prayers and John’s chess-set bargaining. Eternal destinies often hinge on VBS crafts and bedtime stories, not theological debates.

You’ve postponed spiritual conversations, waiting for “the right moment.” But heaven’s calendar highlights ages 4-14. What simple truth can you share with a child this week?

“Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6, CSB)

Prayer: Thank God for whoever first told you about Jesus.
Challenge: Share your salvation story with one person under 18.

Day 4: When Disciples Became Roadblocks

Peter blocked the path, arms crossed. “Master’s busy.” Mothers recoiled, hiding children’s faces in their robes. Jesus’ voice cut through: “Do. Not. Hinder.” The command still echoes where programs exclude special needs kids or budgets slash youth funding. [01:10:07]

Every “We’ve never done it that way” risks becoming a millstone. Christ measured success by who got through, not who got polished. The disciples learned to swap gatekeeping for grace-scarred welcome.

What traditions comfort you but exclude others? When did you last apologize for being a roadblock?

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”
(Matthew 19:14-15, CSB)

Prayer: Repent for any way you’ve hindered a seeker.
Challenge: Compliment a parent on their child’s behavior during service.

Day 5: Extravagant Love at the Altar

Teens clutched grandparents’ hands walking to the altar. Single moms wept as strangers prayed over their sons. The piano kept playing while families stayed late, ignoring lunch plans. Miss Betty high-fived a tattooed college student. [01:19:26]

Jesus defined “family” as whoever obeyed His Father. The Church thrives when silver-haired saints invest in snot-nosed kids, when childless couples mentor orphans, when teens teach elders TikTok prayers.

What risk feels too “messy” but might birth eternal fruit? Who needs your stubborn love most today?

“Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.”
(1 John 3:18, CSB)

Prayer: Beg God for courage to love wastefully.
Challenge: Buy groceries for a struggling family and leave them anonymously.

Sermon Summary

A baptism and prayer opened the service, followed by a moment of private devotion that rehearsed Romans 8 and the reality that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. Matthew 19:13-15 anchored the main focus: Jesus welcomed children and affirmed that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. A series of statistics from Barna, ministrytochildren.com, and related studies stressed that most conversions occur in the four-to-fourteen window, that moral foundations form early, and that beliefs embraced by age thirteen often endure into adulthood. Those findings propelled a pastoral urgency: early discipleship matters, and the whole faith community must engage.

Five practical principles structured the response. Parenting receives partner support from the church; children and youth count as the church now, not merely the future; the church must adopt Jesus’ welcoming attitude toward children; family discipleship must take priority over outsourcing spiritual formation; and nothing in church life should hinder children’s access to Christ. Illustrations ranged from humorous glimpses of children’s writing to personal stories about intergenerational ministry, highlighting how older believers can adopt and sustain young people who lack a Christian family. The congregation received a clear call to volunteer for nursery, children’s programs, youth ministry, and Vacation Bible School as concrete ways to invest time, resources, and inconvenience for the sake of the next generation.

The invitation invited families and individuals to kneel, pray, and consider baptism, with an emphasis on bringing children and grandchildren into visible, communal prayer. The closing prayer committed the church to extravagant love, mutual support, and kingdom work in the community, asking God to strengthen homes, youth leaders, and the church’s efforts in outreach and summer ministry. Practical next steps included adopting children who lack Christian homes, intentionally investing across generations, and ensuring that church preferences never become hindrances to children’s spiritual access. The tone remained pastoral and urgent: the gospel must reach young hearts now, and the whole congregation shares responsibility to make that happen.

Key Takeaways

1. Children are the church today Children and youth require presence, not postponement. Treating young people as the present body of faith reshapes worship, programming, and relational priorities so they receive spiritual formation now. If churches wait, cultural forces will fill the vacuum and shape convictions instead. Intentional time and presence guard against losing a generation. [70:07]
2. Early faith shapes lifelong belief Convictions formed in childhood harden into enduring patterns by adolescence, so evangelism and discipleship targeted at young hearts yield disproportionate lifelong fruit. Teaching does not simply transfer knowledge; it molds moral imagination and habitual worship. Investing in early formation honors both Scripture and social science by addressing the period of greatest receptivity. Prioritize clarity, discipleship habits, and relational consistency for lasting impact. [60:16]
3. Adopt Jesus' attitude toward children Jesus welcomed children without qualification, calling the church to remove barriers and make space for young faith. That attitude demands inconvenience, resources, and a reorientation of preferences when necessary. Welcoming looks like touch, blessing, presence, and explicit inclusion in spiritual practices. When the church models this posture, it cultivates a culture where children belong and flourish. [71:37]
4. Family discipleship remains primary responsibility Homes shape faith more than institutions; the church must equip parents and grandparents to disciple intentionally. Programs complement but do not replace daily rhythms of prayer, Scripture, and lived example within families. Churches should resource, encourage, and partner with households so spiritual formation becomes a shared project. Strengthen families to strengthen future faith. [74:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:43] - Baptism and Prayer for a Young Believer
[54:23] - Romans 8: No Condemnation
[54:57] - Community Care and Gratitude
[55:53] - Humor: Kids' One-Liners
[58:53] - Parenting and Grandparent Joy
[59:19] - Statistics: Four-to-Fourteen Window
[67:08] - Scripture: Jesus Welcomes Children
[67:30] - Five Principles for Family Ministry
[71:37] - Children Are the Church Today
[74:23] - Family Discipleship as Primary
[77:54] - Volunteer and Invest in Youth
[80:47] - Invitation: Kneel, Pray, Baptize
[82:18] - Closing Prayer and Sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Matthew 19:13-15 (CSB)
Then children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After placing his hands on them, he went on from there.

Observation Questions

In Matthew 19:13-15, how did the disciples initially respond when people brought children to Jesus, and how did Jesus correct them?
What statistic was shared about the likelihood of people accepting Christ before age 13, and why does this matter for the church? [59:19]
According to the sermon, what are two practical ways the church can adopt Jesus’ welcoming attitude toward children? [07:30] [18:13]
What does Romans 8:1-2 (referenced in the sermon) say about the status of those who are in Christ?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized that the kingdom of heaven “belongs to such as these” (referring to children)? What qualities might he have been highlighting?
The sermon stressed that “children are the church today, not tomorrow.” How does this perspective challenge common assumptions about youth ministry? [10:07]
How might the statistic about beliefs solidifying by age 13 ([02:46]) influence the way families and churches prioritize discipleship?
The disciples tried to block children from Jesus, but he welcomed them. What barriers might modern churches unintentionally create that hinder children’s access to Christ?

Application Questions

What is one tangible way you could support a family in your community this week (e.g., praying for them, offering childcare, inviting them for a meal)? [08:12]
If you are a parent or grandparent, what daily rhythm (e.g., prayer, Scripture reading) could you start or strengthen to disciple the children in your home? If you’re not a parent, how could you encourage a family in this area? [14:23]
The church emphasized adopting children who lack Christian families. How could you intentionally build a relationship with a young person in your church who needs spiritual mentorship? [06:12]
Are there any preferences or habits in your life (e.g., prioritizing convenience, criticizing church programs) that might hinder children’s access to Christ? How could you adjust them? [16:32]
The sermon urged volunteering in ministries like nursery, VBS, or youth groups. Which of these could you commit to for the next three months, even if it feels inconvenient? [18:13]
How could you intentionally affirm a child’s value in your church this Sunday (e.g., learning their name, kneeling to pray with them, inviting them into a conversation)? [20:47]

Sermon Clips

33s

#BeTheSolution

“You know, we we this is what we need to do. We cannot complain about the deterioration of our culture and the family if we're not part of the solution, all of us. So there's no rebuke. There's just love. It's just love. You know one of things I've told you over and over again, nobody falls through the cracks. In other words, don't rush out to go to the so you'll get at the restaurant before everybody else. If we miss an opportunity to pour into someone else, what good's the lunch. Right?”

39s

#MakeFaithHomeCenter

“Parents, guys, grandparents, all of us, teachers, we cannot force or ensure that our kids become followers of Christ, but we must emphasize it. This must be center part of our homes, it must be the center part of our lives. We know that parents still have a huge influence on the choices their children make and we also know that most people either accept Jesus when they're young or not at all. The fact that most Christian parents overlook this critical responsibility is one of the biggest challenges to to their Christian church.”

27s

#ServeInChildrensMinistry

“we need helpers to work in our children's ministry. We need helpers on for a while. We need them in youth. We need them in vacation bible school. Some of you have said, man, I've already given enough years. No, you haven't. You're not you're not dead yet. Okay? I mean that with all my heart. There's no such thing as retirement from ministry. Because you know what better than to have grandparents loving own kids. Right? Right? It's the way it is.”

31s

#IntergenerationalCare

“We have a lot of students who come to Liberty, who come from and they're the only Christian in their whole family. They need us to pray with them, to support them, to love them, to invite them home sometimes. Let them have a home cooked meal with us. To walk down after church and just walk across and enters What blesses my heart is to see intergenerational things happening with our youth, with our teenager, with our college students. It just blesses me to see it. That's who we are.”

37s

#BringChurchHome

“I can remember many of my friends I still talk to today that came to Christ because my mom and dad were part of their life. They didn't just send us to church and say this is the church's responsibility. They said, no, we're gonna bring the church here. So I challenge you to think what that looks like in your own community. How do we do that? What does that mean? When we make that commitment to raise our children, the generations up, we need to understand that everything we do will influence. How about this? We must do nothing to hinder reaching youth and children.”

30s

#EarlyBeliefsLast

“They're gonna bring this up on up on the screen for you, but this is what he says. And this this this really got to me when he said this, and then we'll get on with the sermon here in a second. Adults essentially carry out, listen to this, adults essentially carry out the beliefs they embraced when they were young. The reason why Christians are so similar in their attitudes and values and lifestyles to non Christians is that they were not sufficiently challenged to think and behave differently that is radically differently.”

31s

#ShareYourStory

“Someone did that. It may have been a parent or like in my case, it was my parents and my brother and other people. It was a it was a Sunday school teacher who who shared with me when I was six years old. It was a revival service that I got saved in. But all those things happen. It is it is essential that we understand the importance of why children need the gospel when they're young, why teenagers need that, why we need workers. You can sit there and go, well, I don't have anything to tell them. You can tell them your story.”

33s

#CommitTimeAndLove

“So what does it take? It takes a commitment of time, of funds and resources, of people, of love, of being inconvenienced. I've told you over and over again that love always requires inconvenience. There was a study done, was a little bit older study done, parents describing how they raised their children and this was kinda scary to me. And this is what it was entitled, the most desirable outcomes for kids. And here's what they said. By far the top rated outcome that these parents who were in the study said that they wanted wanted for their children was a good education.”

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