Teaching Notes

The Importance of Children to Jesus

Peopl were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch 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. I tell you the truth, anyone who will  not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hand on them and blessed them. - Mark 10:13-16

There are many vital points in this scripture to help us understand how important children (youth of all ages) are the Jesus.

1. People were bringing little children... It is important for parents to have the desire to bring their children before the Lord so that he can touch their lives and make them into what he desires for their lives.

2. Disciples rebuked them. When Jesus was this, he was indignant... Jesus was angry, annoyed and even offended by his own disciples trying to stop the children from coming to him. The message to us today is, we must make sure as the disciples of Christ we are not responsible for turning away the children. Like the disciples, we turn them away because we don't think they are vital to the work of Christ. The disciples thought the children were in the way of Jesus doing his work. We likewise turn them away because we feel they are getting in the way of the "work" we should be doing, when in fact they are part of the work.

3. Do not hinder them.... Jesus said do not hinder the children from coming to him. The message to us today is, we as the people of God must make sure we are not hindering the children from coming. Anything we do that puts us between them and God, hinders them. They do not need to come through us to get to Jesus, in fact we should be making a way for them and not standing in the way.

4. Put his hands on them and blessed them...Young people, Jesus wants to put his hands on you, on your life and he wants to bless you. As the people of God we must make the commitment to be way makers for the youth to come to the Lord and not a hinderance. Young people, it is however your choice the recieve the call from Christ to recieve his blessings. We pray for all our young people to receive the call of Christ and allow him to anoint you life. Allow Christ to place his hands on your life and bless you to live his way.

Prayer: Lord today we pray that some young person would come to accept their need for you as the savior. Touch their lives, bless them and make them whole in you. Amen.