The Friend of Little Children - Lesson 1

February Week 1, 2023 Learning Together
     Welcome again to Learning Together! This is February’s first lesson, and it is all about the story “The Friend of Little Children” found on pages 256-263 in The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. (If you would like to have your own copy of this book, please ask for one or order your own online.) You and your whole family are invited to listen and read and create and pray around this story.
     Children: First, please listen to the story read aloud to you.  You may wish to follow along in your own book, making sure to carefully look at the pictures. You could invite your family members to listen and look with you.
     The story begins with some of Jesus’ friends arguing with each other about which one of them was the most important helper to Jesus. While they argued, Jesus had some children visit Him along with their parents. The friends stopped arguing with themselves in order to shoo these people away, but Jesus spoke up and told His friends to NEVER send children away but to bring them to Him. He told them that He loves all people, but especially children, because children can love him back so freely, so trustingly. This makes you an important part of God’s kingdom!
     Adults: The Biblical references to this story are Matthew 18, 19; Mark 10; Luke 18.
     Back in Jesus’ day, children often were seen as a nuisance. They were tolerated, but not welcome. Jesus’ words concerning children were extremely important and contrasted with practices of pagans of the day.  It was common practice in both Greece and Rome to abandon unwanted children by the road to let them die.  Later, early Christians were known for taking in these orphans. Jesus flipped this way of thinking on its head. In the Bible, Jesus spoke out against those who pushed children to the sidelines while drawing them near to Himself.
     So when Jesus says ‘come to God like a little child’, that's exactly what we want to do! There is no virtue in being childish, but we should never outgrow our childlikeness. As His child, God wants us to recognize our need for His care and protection.
     Adults, in order to have a more childlike approach to life, need to consider these four lessons we can learn from children:

• Feel your feelings. Children leave their emotions on their sleeves. ...
• Be curious and excited. Being inquisitive is how children learn. ...
• Be fearless. Children jump, climb, fall and get right back up. ...
• Grow a little every day (even when it's hard).

~This week’s prayer: Dear God, thank you for loving me so much! I know I am an important part of your kingdom!
     Next week there will be one more lesson posted about this month’s story, then our Sunday School will meet on fourth Sunday February 26 at 11:00 after church services; there will be a story discussion and a fun craft. All are welcome!
Until next week,
Margo Greer