A Childlike Faith
I am drawn to the image of Jesus traveling through towns and villages, teaching, preaching, and caring for the needs of the people around him. What stands out most is his compassion. When Jesus looked at the crowds, he did not simply see a large group of people. He saw individuals who needed guidance, encouragement, healing, and hope. Scripture tells us that he had compassion for them because they were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” His response was not to turn away from the need but to invite his followers to join him in the work of caring for others.
Matthew 9:35 - 10:8 often reminds me of my work with children. Every week I have the opportunity to spend time with young people who are growing, learning, and discovering both the world around them and God’s place in their lives. Children have a unique openness that adults sometimes lose. They are willing to ask questions, try new things, and engage with unfamiliar experiences. Whether it is a new Bible story, a craft, a song, or a service project, children often approach it with curiosity and excitement rather than hesitation.
Their openness challenges me to think about my own faith. As adults, we can become comfortable with routines and expectations. We may assume we already know what a Bible passage means or what God wants to teach us. Children, however, approach learning with fresh eyes. They remind me that faith is not meant to become stale or predictable. God continues to teach, guide, and surprise us when we remain open to his leading. Watching children engage with Scripture often helps me see familiar stories in a new way and notice details I may have overlooked before.
Jesus told his disciples that the harvest was plentiful but the workers were few. I think about that image often when working with children. There are so many opportunities to share God’s love with young hearts. Every conversation, activity, lesson, and act of kindness has the potential to become a moment when a child experiences God’s care and presence. While the work may sometimes seem small, Jesus reminds us that these opportunities matter. We may never fully know how a simple lesson, encouraging word, or caring gesture will influence a child’s faith journey in the years ahead.
I am also reminded that Jesus did not send his disciples out because they had everything figured out. He called ordinary people and entrusted them with an important mission. That is encouraging to me because there are times when I wonder whether I am doing enough or saying the right things. It reminds me that ministry is not about having all the answers. It is about being willing to serve, to care, and to share what God has given me. Just as Jesus equipped his disciples, he continues to equip those who serve today.
Working with children has shown me that God’s kingdom often grows in quiet and unexpected ways. A child who remembers a Bible verse weeks later, offers to pray for a friend, or shows compassion to someone who is hurting reveals that God is at work. These moments may seem small, but they are signs of seeds taking root and beginning to grow. Children’s willingness to embrace new experiences creates opportunities for those seeds of faith to be planted and nurtured.
Matthew 9:35 - 10:8 encourages me to continue serving with compassion and hope. It reminds me that ministry begins with seeing people as Jesus sees them and responding with love. As I work with children, I am grateful not only for the opportunity to teach them but also for the ways they teach me. Their curiosity, trust, and openness inspire me to approach my own faith with a renewed sense of wonder and a willingness to follow wherever God leads.
