The least

Embracing the Overlooked

Bible Passage: Mark 9:33–37

“Who’s the Greatest?”

Bible passage: Mark 9:33–37

(Hook)

Have you ever heard kids argue about things like:

“I’m the fastest!”

“I have the best Pokémon!”

“I got the highest score!”

“I’m the best at this game!”

Yeah… that happens a lot. Well, guess what? Even Jesus’ disciples argued like that too.

Mark 9:33–35

The Story (Book)

Perhaps we can imagine Jesus gathering his disciples into a cozy room, asking them what they had been chatting about on the way. They had been arguing about who among them was the greatest. Jesus sat them down and flipped their understanding upside down: the greatest person in God’s eyes is the one who serves all the others. You could remind the children that greatness is not about being the best but about helping others. This challenges us to look for opportunities to serve, showing love in all our actions.

2. Welcoming With Open Arms

One day, Jesus and His disciples were walking along the road. While they were walking, the disciples started arguing.

When they got to the house, Jesus asked them:

Mark 9:36–37

In this scene, Jesus brings a child—a person of little status in that culture—into their midst and says welcoming a child is like welcoming him. You could explain that Jesus is teaching us to look beyond appearances and value every person, especially those society often overlooks.

Maybe encourage the children to think about who might be feeling left out at school or in their neighborhood and how they can show kindness and welcome them, just like Jesus did. Jesus’ love includes everyone

“What were you arguing about on the way?”

Uh-oh. The disciples didn’t answer. They were embarrassed.

Why?

Because they were arguing about who was the greatest.

Who was the most important. Who Jesus liked the most. Who was the “top disciple.”

So Jesus sat down—because when a teacher sat down back then, it meant something important was coming.

And He said:

“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Then Jesus did something surprising.

He picked up a child, stood the child right in front of them, and said:

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.”

What Jesus Was Teaching

Jesus was flipping their thinking upside down.

The disciples thought:

Greatest = strongest

Greatest = smartest

Greatest = bossiest

Greatest = most famous

But Jesus said:

Greatest = serves others

Greatest = cares about people

Greatest = not trying to be first all the time

In Jesus’ kingdom, being great doesn’t mean climbing over people. It means lifting people up.

Why the Child?

Back then, children weren’t considered important like they are today. They had no power, no money, no status.

So when Jesus said,

“Welcome a child,”

He was really saying:

“Care for people who are ignored.” “Be kind to people who can’t help you back.” “Treat everyone as important.”

And here’s the cool part: Jesus was basically saying, “You matter to me.”

What This Means for You

Being “great” at school or at home doesn’t mean:

Being the loudest

Winning every time

Getting your way

Being great means:

Letting someone else go first

Including the kid who’s left out

Helping without being asked

Saying “sorry” when you mess up

Standing up for someone being teased

Every time you do those things, Jesus smiles and says, “That’s what greatness looks like.”

WHY??

Because Jesus was the greatest and He came to serve

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

John 13:12–17 “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

One Thing to Remember

Let’s say this together:

“In God’s kingdom, the greatest people serve.”

Closing Prayer

“Jesus, thank You for loving us and showing us what real greatness is. Help us to serve others, be kind, and remember that everyone matters to You. Amen.”