Childlikeness

God treats his people like children

Psalm 103:13 ASV 1901

Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.

See also Nu 11:12; Is 49:15; Is 66:13; Je 31:20; Ho 11:1–4; Ro 8:14–17; Ga 4:1–7

God’s people should respond to God as children to a parent

In trust

Psalm 131:2 ASV 1901

Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child with his mother, Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

In obedience

1 Peter 1:14 ASV 1901

as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance:

In humility

Luke 9:46–48 ASV 1901

And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side, and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.

See also 1 Ki 3:7 Solomon

In innocence

Mark 10:13–15 ASV 1901

And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.

See also Lk 10:21

In imitating a model

Ephesians 5:1–2 ASV 1901

Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.

See also 1 Jn 3:10

Childlikeness is reflected in pastoral care

1 Thessalonians 2:7 ASV 1901

But we were gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children:

See also 1 Jn 2:28

Childlikeness is to be distinguished from immature childishness

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 ASV 1901

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able; for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?

See also Heb 5:12–6:1