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LOGOS TRADING POST - CHILDREN’S CHRISTIAN BOOKMARKS

The Kingdom of God and Childlike Faith

Mark 10:14-15 says, “Let the children come to me; 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.” With verses like these, it is no secret that children are important to Jesus and His Kingdom. Their honest, simple faith is a beautiful thing, and it is God’s hope that we learn to emulate it. If the Kingdom of God is the inheritance of children, and the hearts and minds of children are the keys to understanding it, it is important that we nurture them, bless them, and learn from them. One way of loving your own children or blessing others is by giving gifts, and we hope this is a need we can fulfill, so we have here a collection of Christian bookmarks specifically designed for children. These are both a great way to encourage kids and to help them discover scripture for themselves!

Still, as much as we can teach our children, we must not forget that they can teach us. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 does indeed say, “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise,” so there is no doubt that it is our responsibility to teach the young about God and His statutes. However, much like Jesus in Mark 10, the Psalmist in Psalm 8:2 says something that might seem backwards at first when he says, “Out of the mouths of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” These two passages - Mark 10 and Psalm 8 - indicate that the Kingdom of God is not only received by the childlike, but it finds its strength in them as well.

This is a reversal of the world’s thinking. The wisdom of the world says that wisdom is reserved for the old, and that children can’t know anything that an adult doesn’t already. Elihu puts it aptly in Job 32:7-10 when he says, “I thought that age should speak and maturity should teach wisdom. But it is the Spirit in a person and the breath of the Almighty that give him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me. I too will declare what I know.’” Let’s challenge our assumptions together; let’s remember that as much as we teach our children, whether directly or by making scripture a part of their life with Bible bookmarks, they can teach us as well about the pure heart with which we may come before God. As Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in a time of need.”

What is Childlike Faith?

Of course, there is much we can learn from our own children what it means to have faith like that of a child, but there are certain principles we can determine for ourselves.

Indeed, first of all, a child’s faith doesn’t have to have understanding as its foundation. This is not in the sense that it is bad to seek knowledge - because it certainly isn’t - but in the sense of Proverbs 3:5-7, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” God has given us access to the truth of the gospel and His Kingdom on scripture, and we can always trust Him to provide answers. That said, though, understanding is not required for meaningful faith, as the heart of a child so artfully demonstrates. Loving God and trusting Him is what’s primary, even if we don’t have all of the answers.

Another key aspect of receiving the Kingdom of God “like a child” is a measure of humility. Proverbs 29:23 says, “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” Jesus echoes this with His own words in John 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and further in verse 5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” No one is more ready to accept a role of humility than a child (most of the time!). In their early years, they know they don’t know everything that their parents do, but they trust them fully because of that. Believing that God means well for us even though we’re so much smaller than Him in the scheme of things can come through humility; accepting that God is higher than anything we can achieve means that we can either humble ourselves in trust or grow bitter, and the former makes for a much better Christian life. Worry not, though! By walking with a childlike humility, You will have great peace and God will see fit to bless you in the appropriate time. Proverbs 22:4 tells us, “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life,” and 1 Peter 5:6 goes on to say, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”

The New Perspective on Children

All in all, let’s carry with us this perspective: a child’s faith is key in receiving the Kingdom of God! As Jesus says it in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Whether you’re teaching kids the truth of the Gospel through reading scripture with them, or you’re simply considering them in this moment while you shop for children’s Christian bookmarks, be sure to remember that their faith is important. Not only shall we nurture their faith, but we shall learn from it!