About This Little Children Lesson Plan

This lesson plan on childlike faith will help youth think about why Jesus tells us to be like little children.

Game for Childlike Faith Lesson Plan

Start by playing Baby Food Taste Tester. This game has youth identify baby food flavors. See Baby Food Taste Tester game for complete details.

Follow up with some questions:

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

Scripture Reading for Little Children

Read the Gospel:

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

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."

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

Mark 10:2-16

Discussion for Childlike Faith Lesson Plan

Most of us don't want to go back to being little children. We would probably not enjoy eating baby food all of the time. Or wearing a diaper.

• What are some other things about being a small child which you wouldn't like?

In the gospel, Jesus encourages us to be more like children. He is not saying we need to have a nap every day or learn how to tie our shoes again. He is telling us that we need to have the trusting faith of a child.

Young children follow their parents without question. They know they need their parents and become very distressed if they are separated from them. They take great comfort in cuddling in their mother or father's arms.

• Can you name some other ways which young children completely trust their parents?

This is the type of relationship we need to have with God. Jesus completely trusted in the will of the Father, even when he knew it was leading to a cross on Calvary. He enjoyed being in the presence of his Father, often stealing away time to pray by himself.

As we grow older, we want to be more independent. This is a healthy phase of our development. But in our relationship with God, we are still little children. He sees more that we do and knows more than we do. So when our will conflicts with the will of God, we must trust in God and follow in faith, like a toddler holding on to his mother's hand.

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas in life where having a childlike faith might be beneficial?
• Are there times when you trust in yourself or your friends more than turning to God in prayer?
• How can we cultivate a childlike trust in God?

Challenge for Little Children

This week, focus on an area in your life where you need to put less trust in yourself and more trust in God. Set aside some time every day to pray about it and listen to God. Ask for the grace to be more childlike. At the end of your prayer time, repeat "Thy will be done. Thy will be done." several times. And then just feel yourself resting in God's loving arms.

Prayer

Close by praying Patient Trust or another prayer.

Printable Copy

Video Resource

See Pope Francis' reaction when a child runs up to the podium and begins to play where the Holy Father is giving an address. Pope Francis explains that the child has preached about freedom before God.

Are You Childlike or Childish?

To be childlike is to trust in God. To be childish is to demand your own way. A childlike prayer can ask for a specific outcome but will trust in God's will. A childish prayer expects God to do exactly what we ask for.