For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
The disciples argue about who's the greatest — and Jesus surprises them by pointing to a little child.
Today's Story
One day the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. So Jesus called a little child over and stood the child right in the middle of them. “Unless you change and become like little children,” Jesus said, “you can't enter God's kingdom. The greatest in God's kingdom are the ones who are humble like this little child.”
Being great in God's kingdom isn't about being the biggest or the bossiest — it's about being humble and trusting, like a child.
Then Jesus told a story about how precious each person is to God. “If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one wanders off, won't he leave the ninety-nine to go search for the lost one? And when he finds it, he's so happy! That's how your Father in heaven feels. He doesn't want to lose even one.”
Jesus also taught about forgiving. Peter asked, “How many times should I forgive someone? Seven times?” Jesus said, “Not seven times — but seventy times seven!” In other words: keep on forgiving, again and again, the way God forgives us.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Jesus said to be great in God's kingdom, we should be humble like a child. What do you think it means to be humble?
- The shepherd searched and searched for one lost sheep. How does it feel to know God cares about YOU that much?
- Jesus said to forgive again and again. Why is forgiving others so important?