Little Children

Baby Food Taste Tester

To begin the lesson, start with the Baby Food Taste Tester game. Gather several jars of baby food in different flavors, remove or cover the labels, and give each youth a small sample to try. Their task is to guess the flavor of each one. This activity is lighthearted and helps them think about what it means to be a child.

For complete instructions, check out the Baby Food Taste Tester game details.

Now that you’ve tried some baby food, let’s think about what that was like. Most of us wouldn’t want to eat it every day. It’s fun to try once in a while, but we enjoy the freedom of choosing our own food. Growing up gives us independence, and that’s something we value.

Before we move on, let’s start with some questions about your experience with the baby food. These will help us think more about what it means to be a child and how that connects to our faith.

• Would you prefer to eat baby food every day or regular food?
• Did you like the flavor of the baby food?
• Are you surprised that babies eat it?
• Which flavors were the hardest to identify? Why?

But here’s the interesting part. Even though we like growing up, Jesus tells us in the gospel that we should be more like children in some ways. He doesn’t mean going back to baby food or nap time. What He means is having the kind of simple, trusting faith that children show to their parents. That’s what we are going to talk about today.

Mark 10:2-16 (Jesus welcomes the children) – the Gospel Reading for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B

Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him.

He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”

They replied, “Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”

But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

Mark 10:2-16

Most of you probably wouldn’t want to go back to being little kids again. Think about it for a minute. Would you really want to eat baby food every day? Or have to wear diapers again? That doesn’t sound fun at all. One of the best parts about growing up is that you get more freedom. You get to make your own choices, try new things, and do more on your own. Independence feels good, and most of us wouldn’t want to lose that.

Now think about some of the other things that come with being a little child. You have to go to bed early. You’re not allowed to do certain things by yourself. You have to follow rules that sometimes seem unfair. You might get frustrated because people don’t always take you seriously. Growing up helps us get past those limits. So it makes sense that we’re glad to move on from being little children.

But here’s something interesting. In the gospel, Jesus actually tells us that we should become more like children. That probably sounds confusing. He’s not saying we need to go back to nap time or relearn how to tie our shoes. He’s not asking us to give up everything we’ve learned as we got older. What He’s talking about is something deeper. He wants us to have the kind of trust that a child has.

Think about how little kids treat their parents. They don’t question if their parents love them. They don’t stop to wonder if their parents will feed them or keep them safe. They just trust. They know that mom or dad will take care of them. If they get scared, they run straight to their parents. If they’re tired, they curl up in their arms and feel safe again. That kind of trust is simple, honest, and complete.

Jesus is inviting us to have that same kind of trust with God. He doesn’t want us to overthink everything or worry about every detail of life. He wants us to lean on God the way a toddler grabs their parent’s hand when crossing the street. Kids don’t need to understand everything about traffic to know that holding a parent’s hand will keep them safe. In the same way, we don’t have to know everything about God’s plan. We just have to trust that He loves us and will lead us where we need to go.

Even Jesus Himself showed this kind of childlike trust. When He prayed in the garden before His crucifixion, He knew that great suffering was coming. He even asked if it could be taken away. But at the same time, He trusted His Father completely. He said, “Not my will, but yours be done.” That’s the perfect picture of childlike faith. It’s not about having no fears or questions. It’s about choosing to trust God anyway.

As you get older, it’s normal to want more independence. That’s part of life. You want to make your own decisions, set your own path, and take responsibility. That’s a good thing. But here’s the challenge: even as we grow in independence, we never stop being God’s children. No matter how old we are, we still need Him. God sees the whole picture when we can only see a tiny part. He knows what we don’t. That’s why Jesus asks us to trust like children.

Sometimes it’s hard to do this. You might want to control everything and rely only on yourself. Maybe you’ve even felt let down before, so trusting feels scary. But God’s love is different from human love. His love never fails. When your own plans don’t work out or when life feels overwhelming, that’s the moment to grab God’s hand like a little child. Trust that He sees what you can’t and that His path will always lead to life.

So no, you don’t have to eat baby food again. You don’t have to go back to diapers or bedtime at 7:30. But you are invited to take on the simple faith of a child. That means trusting God even when things don’t make sense. It means resting in His love like a child rests in a parent’s arms. It means believing that God has your best interest at heart, always. When you live with that kind of trust, your faith becomes stronger, and you discover real peace in God’s presence.

When youth gather in small groups, it is important to create a safe and welcoming space. Remind them that there are no wrong answers. Everyone’s thoughts and experiences are valuable. Encourage them to listen with respect and to give each person a chance to share. The goal is not to give perfect answers, but to grow together in trust and faith.

• How do you see trust in little children, and what can we learn from that?
• Can you think of a time when you had to rely on someone else completely? What was that like?
• What are some qualities children have that we sometimes lose as we get older?
• How could those qualities help us trust God more in daily life?
• Is there an area of your life right now where trusting God feels difficult?
• What helps you grow in trust when life feels uncertain or hard?
• Have you ever prayed and felt peace or comfort even when the problem was not solved?
• What does it mean to you to rest in God’s arms like a child rests with a parent?
• How can your friends, family, or this group support you in trusting God more?
• What is one step you could take this week to practice childlike faith?

This week, try to identify a specific area in your life where you tend to rely heavily on your own abilities or understanding, and make a conscious effort to place more trust in God instead. It could be a situation at school, a relationship, a decision you’re struggling with, or any challenge where you feel overwhelmed.

Set aside a few minutes each day for prayer, focusing on this area. As you pray, ask God for the grace to let go of control and to approach the situation with the trust and openness of a child. It’s okay to acknowledge your worries and fears during this time, but then turn them over to God.

During your prayer time, after expressing your thoughts and concerns, try to quiet your mind and listen for God’s guidance. Sometimes, answers come through a sense of peace or a gentle nudge in a certain direction. As you close your prayer, repeat the phrase, “Thy will be done. Thy will be done,” several times. This repetition can help you surrender your plans and desires to God’s greater wisdom and love.

Finally, take a moment to imagine yourself resting in God’s loving arms, just as a child rests in the arms of a parent. Feel the comfort and security that comes from trusting in God’s care and love. This practice can help you cultivate a more childlike faith, where you trust in God’s plan and rest in His peace.

Let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts and place ourselves in God’s presence. Close your eyes if you’d like and think about being safe in the arms of someone who loves you completely. That’s how God holds each of us.

Lord, we thank You for reminding us that we are Your children. You know us better than we know ourselves. You see our worries, our struggles, and our hopes. Teach us to trust You like a child trusts a parent. Help us to rest in Your love and to know that You are always with us.

Jesus, You showed us how to trust the Father, even when life was hard. Give us the same courage and faith. When we feel unsure, remind us that Your plan is good and that You never leave our side.

Father, we give You our lives. We say together, “Thy will be done.” May we walk forward with simple trust, knowing You love us and guide us every step of the way. Amen.

Themes

• Trust in God: Children naturally trust their parents, just as we should trust God. He knows what is best for us, even when we don’t understand. Trusting God helps us feel safe and loved.
• Humility: Children often accept their limits and rely on others. We should also recognize our need for God and be humble before Him. This humility allows us to receive His grace.
• Simplicity of Heart: Kids approach life with simple joy and honesty. In faith, we should also keep our hearts pure and focus on what truly matters. This simplicity helps us stay close to God.
• Dependence on God: Just as children depend on their parents for everything, we depend on God for all we need. Recognizing this dependence keeps us connected to Him. It reminds us to seek His help and guidance daily.
• Obedience to God’s Will: Children often follow their parents’ guidance without question. We are called to follow God’s will in our lives. This obedience is a sign of our love and trust in Him.
• Joy in God’s Presence: Children enjoy spending time with their parents. Similarly, we should find joy in spending time with God through prayer and worship. This joy strengthens our relationship with Him.
• Forgiveness and Mercy: Children are quick to forgive and forget. We should also practice forgiveness, as God forgives us. This reflects God’s mercy and helps us live peacefully with others.
• Seeking God’s Kingdom: Children are curious and always seeking to learn. We should seek to know more about God and His Kingdom. This desire helps us grow in our faith.
• Love for Others: Children often show love without conditions. We are called to love others as Jesus loves us. This love is a fundamental part of our faith.
• Living in the Present: Children live in the moment, not worrying about the future. We are encouraged to trust in God’s plan and live faithfully each day. This helps us focus on our relationship with God.
• Innocence: Children are innocent and free from malice. We are called to approach God with a clean heart and a pure spirit. This innocence draws us closer to God’s love.

Background Material

The “Little Children Lesson Plan on Childlike Faith” emphasizes a key teaching of Jesus in the Bible. In the Gospel of Mark 10:13-16, Jesus invites children to come to Him, saying, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” He then adds, “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” This passage shows the importance of having a childlike faith, which is humble, trusting, and open-hearted.

Childlike faith is a central theme in Catholic teaching. It reminds us to trust God completely, as children trust their parents. This trust is not about being naive, but about recognizing our dependence on God’s love and mercy. By his submission to the will of the Father, Jesus fulfills the redemptive plan of God. (CCC 606 – 607) Just as Jesus trusted and obeyed His Father, we are called to trust in God’s plan for our lives.

This lesson plan also emphasizes humility, another important aspect of childlike faith. In Matthew 18:3-4, Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Humility involves recognizing our limitations and our need for God. It means putting God’s will above our own and being open to His guidance.

The lesson plan teaches that being like children means living with simplicity and purity of heart. Children are often free from deceit and are honest about their feelings and needs. In Matthew 5:8, Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” A pure heart allows us to see God’s work in our lives and to respond with love and gratitude.

Another key aspect of childlike faith is the joy and love found in a close relationship with God. Just as children enjoy being in their parents’ presence, we are invited to find joy in God’s presence through prayer and worship. This is emphasized in the Catechism, which states, “Man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself” (CCC 27). Our relationship with God is meant to be one of love and joy, rooted in His constant call to be close to Him.

The “Little Children Lesson Plan on Childlike Faith” also highlights the importance of obedience and trust. Jesus Himself modeled this when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). This teaches us to trust in God’s plan, even when it is difficult or hard to understand.

In conclusion, the lesson plan encourages young people to embrace a faith that is trusting, humble, and joyful, just like the faith of a child. This approach is deeply rooted in Catholic teaching and Scripture, reminding us that we are all children of God. By nurturing a childlike faith, we can grow closer to God and live out our Catholic faith more fully.

Music Suggestions

• I Have Loved You
• Like a Child Rests
• Your Love Never Fails