Children, attitudes towards

Children as a gift from God

Psalm 113:9 ESV

9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!

See also Ge 33:5; Ge 48:9; Jos 24:3

Jesus Christ welcomes children

Matthew 19:13–14 ESV

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Those who enter the kingdom must be like children

God’s truth is revealed to the childlike

Matthew 11:25 ESV

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;

See also 1 Co 1:26–29

Children as people welcomed by Jesus Christ

Matthew 18:2–5 ESV

2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,

See also Mt 10:40–42; Mt 18:10; Mt 18:14

Children as a picture of immature Christians

1 Co 14:20; 1 Pe 2:2–3

See also 1 Co 13:11; Heb 5:13

Promises to children

Dt 5:16; Ac 2:39

See also Pr 8:32; Eph 6:2–3

Warnings relating to children

Warnings to those who cause children to stumble

Matthew 18:6 ESV

6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Warnings to Israel, the disobedient child

Isaiah 30:1 ESV

1 “Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;

See also Is 30:9