How to Have Faith Like a Child

By Paul Hargreaves
Senior Director of Family Ministry

According to a study, researchers have found that curious children ask an average of 73 questions daily, with half of these questions being difficult for parents to answer. Here is a list that I ran across recently that parents admit are hard to answer:

Why do people die?
Where did I come from?
What is God?
How was I made?
What does “we can’t afford it” mean?
Is Santa Claus real?
Why do I have to go to school?
When you die, who will I live with?
Why is the sky blue?
Why can’t I stay up as late as you?

Children’s curiosity is beautiful, sparking a joy of learning and growing that we can all embrace. Some Christians say that if you have childlike faith, you don’t need reasons or explanations for what you believe. This is not biblically true. Questions should always lead us to Jesus. It is what helps us draw closer to the One who knows all the answers to all our questions. We should all strive to be like children who ask questions, are inquisitive, and are eager to learn more. To have “faith like a child” or “childlike faith” makes sense, as this kind of faith is not blind but instead asks lots of questions. When people say they don’t need to ask questions about their beliefs, it doesn’t seem childlike.

Having worked with children for many years, raised three of our own, and now grandparenting seven, I have come to realize that childlike faith is not about avoiding questions but about asking the right people. Questions should be asked of those who know Jesus well. He is the one who knows all, so I see that “childlike faith” is actually a faith that asks many questions of those who know him best.

When people refer to “childlike faith” or “faith like a child,” they consider what Jesus says in Matthew 18:3 and Mark 10:14-15, where he teaches that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like little children. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says,

…Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

This verse emphasizes the importance of adopting a childlike perspective in our faith. In the gospel of Mark 10:14-15, Jesus 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.

Jesus illustrates the qualities a person must embody to enter the kingdom of heaven by using the example of a child. He encourages his listeners to embrace humility, much like children, and to welcome him with open hearts if they wish to experience the kingdom of heaven. These passages highlight not only a child’s faith but also encompass other important childlike attributes. In essence, there is something vital about this childlike perspective for anyone who seeks to see the kingdom of heaven. What exactly does this childlike perspective entail?

Let’s examine some childlike qualities that we could all benefit from incorporating more into our adult lives…

More often think the best about life and other people
Being willing to learn and grow
Boundless exuberance and energy
Creativity and imagination.
Easy forgiveness
Eternal hope
Joy
Openness about emotions and feelings
Playfulness and humor
Tenderness of conscience
Trust
Undying love
Wonder and awe

Experiencing the kingdom of heaven is not just about what happens after we die; it’s about living and enjoying God’s presence here and now. Jesus emphasizes this when He teaches us to become like little children. He highlights the beautiful characteristics and qualities of children, which often get lost in our sinful world. Let’s nurture the child within us and be inspired by those qualities.

As adults, we have a responsibility to nurture faith in children. It is important to be open to their questions, encourage their curiosity, and guide them on their faith journey. God provided us with Scripture to help us learn, grow, mature, and reason (Isaiah 1:18). We all have the opportunity to be students, disciples, or, in other words, disciplined followers of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:2).

So, accept Jesus’ charge this week to look for and receive the invisible Kingdom of God, just as children. Make this Kingdom known and more visible as you move and live in this world that desperately needs to know Jesus, the King. Teach the inquisitive children around you what it means to be a faithful follower of him.

I love to hear questions from children. It means that they are eager to learn. Let’s help them do that, but let’s also keep that childlike quality ourselves until the day Jesus takes us home.

We have an exciting opportunity for you to lead children to become Jesus followers this summer! Join us for Summer Blast VBS from July 14-18. We are seeking leaders who are willing to listen to lots of questions, share, serve, and care for the children in our community. You will have the opportunity to learn some tremendous childlike qualities.

This year’s theme is “True North—Trusting Jesus in a Wild World.” We will all embark on an ultimate Alaskan adventure, experiencing the beauty of the northern lights, majestic mountains, rushing rivers, and glistening glaciers. As we trek through the tundra, we will learn how to stay grounded and keep our focus on what is true in our wild world today.

Come and help guide children toward Jesus, our True North. Jesus is the faithful friend we can always trust. He truly is our True North!

If you’re interested in serving, please sign up here for a role you feel called to take on.

Paul