Childlikeness

God treats his people like children

Psalm 103:13 NCV

The Lord has mercy on those who respect him, as a father has mercy on his children.

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 NCV

But I am calm and quiet, like a baby with its mother. I am at peace, like a baby with its mother.

In obedience

1 Peter 1:14 NCV

Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted.

In humility

Luke 9:46–48 NCV

Jesus’ followers began to have an argument about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he took a little child and stood the child beside him. Then Jesus said, “Whoever accepts this little child in my name accepts me. And whoever accepts me accepts the One who sent me, because whoever is least among you all is really the greatest.”

See also 1 Ki 3:7 Solomon

In innocence

Mark 10:13–15 NCV

Some people brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them, but his followers told them to stop. When Jesus saw this, he was upset and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children. I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it.”

See also Lk 10:21

In imitating a model

Ephesians 5:1–2 NCV

You are God’s children whom he loves, so try to be like him. Live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.

See also 1 Jn 3:10

Childlikeness is reflected in pastoral care

1 Thessalonians 2:7 NCV

even though as apostles of Christ we could have used our authority over you. But we were very gentle with you, like a mother caring for her little children.

See also 1 Jn 2:28

Childlikeness is to be distinguished from immature childishness

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 NCV

Brothers and sisters, in the past I could not talk to you as I talk to spiritual people. I had to talk to you as I would to people without the Spirit—babies in Christ. The teaching I gave you was like milk, not solid food, because you were not able to take solid food. And even now you are not ready. You are still not spiritual, because there is jealousy and quarreling among you, and this shows that you are not spiritual. You are acting like people of the world.

See also Heb 5:12–6:1