#1 Put Away Childish Things

(This serves as a guide as the presenter is encouraged to read and discuss each of the verses included)

(Ephesians 4:14 NIV) Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

We fret when an infant does not thrive as they should. When the pediatrician pulls out the growth chart, we want our baby to meet the criteria.

Similarly, we glorify God in the growth of our children in Christ. Patiently, we accept them (and each other) as we accept that each of us is in a different stage of spiritual development. Our personal goal should be to “in all things grow up” in Christ (Ephesians 4:15).

(Matthew 11:16-19 NIV) "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: {17} "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' {18} For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' {19} The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

(Matthew 18:2-6 NIV) He called a little child and had him stand among them. {3} And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. {4} Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. {5} "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. {6} But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

(Mark 10:13-16 NIV) People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. {14} When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. {15} I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." {16} And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

(1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

(1 Corinthians 14:20 NIV) Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

The story is told of an older woman whose body was physically locked within her own body in a nursing facility. Her eyes didn’t change expression when she was greeted or addressed, even by a family member.

It’s a tragic situation, but I think it is also a “protection” for some since their awareness of the situation being blocked out can provide a comfort rather than a hardship.

One day, a nurse brought in her baby to show the patients. When she approached the older woman, she held up her arms to take the child, the only voluntary motion some had seen her make in months. It showed the lasting strength of maternal instinct.

From the passages we understand that some qualities possessed by children are desirable to adult Christians.

[1] Appreciation to Darlene L’Roy Marlow for her ideas from the Gospel Advocate 1998 September/October In Search of Truth insert in Christian Woman Magazine.