Thursday, April 3, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Matthew 19
Some of my favorite books are written for children. They are the stories that have made me laugh out loud, stay up far too late, and cry my eyes out. In one of my college classes, we discussed our favorite kid’s books, commiserating over the pain caused by Bridge to Terabithia and recalling the excitement of reading The Tale of Despereaux for the first time. Children’s books have a way of addressing truth, using a simple storyline to convey a powerful message—one that impacts us long after childhood.
It is easy for us to write off children’s literature and the ideas and thoughts of young kids as naive and foolish. However, Jesus instructed us not to turn children away, but rather, to be like them.
Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Sometimes we get lost in complicated theology and extensive rules, forgetting where our faith started—with Jesus and his love for us. The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who have hearts like children, those whose faith is simple and trusting.
Two years ago, I was a group leader during the Easter service in CedarVille. The video lesson had just explained how Jesus died on the cross. The room was silent (incredibly rare for preschoolers), until the video revealed that Jesus was alive again. Out of nowhere, one of the little girls jumped up and shouted, “Jesus is alive!” Everyone else in the room lost it, unable to hear the rest of the video because they were so excited.
The preschoolers didn’t need a long conversation about sanctification and justification. They simply celebrated that Jesus is alive and wants to be their friend forever.
John 15:13–15
13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
Jesus calls us to be like children. More than anything else, he wants our hearts, wholly and completely. He wants us to experience the love and truth that he has to offer, the kind that is simple and yet so very powerful.
Questions:
Are there any children’s books or movies that struck you in a powerful way? How are you making faith complicated? How can you look for God’s simple truth this week?
Next Steps:
Next time you make faith complicated, ask God to remind you of what is true.
Consider joining the Kids Team at one of the CedarCreek campuses. Try it for a few weeks, and see if you learn anything from the kids you meet.
Prayer:
Father, help me to be like a child, trusting you with all of my heart. Keep bringing me back to your love, which is far greater than anything I could ever imagine. I love you. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Hebrews 4:15
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
This post was written by Lydia Snyder, a South attendee and regular contributor to the LivingItOut.