Speaker: Zac Poonen
Title: Be Like Little Children
Date: 09/14/2025
Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29)
We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3)
We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Summary
Jesus calls Christians to become like little children by eliminating pride, self-importance, and grudges. True conversion involves developing a childlike mindset—free from thoughts of personal greatness, inability to hold grudges, and genuine love for others—which is the path to humility and spiritual greatness in God's kingdom.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
How do children react to you?A way to measure if we are becoming more like Jesus is how children react to us, whether they feel safe to approach us or are scared away.
Who is the greatest in the kingdom?When the disciples asked who was the greatest, Jesus surprised them by pointing to a little child and explaining that entering the kingdom requires conversion from our high thoughts of self-importance.
Meditating on the mind of a babyIf we want to be like a child in our thinking, we should meditate on a baby in a cradle who holds no thoughts of admiration, importance, or grudges against anyone.
The importance of meditating on ScriptureWe must slow down our Bible reading and deeply meditate on God's word rather than just reading it quickly like a newspaper.
Learning humility from Jesus and childrenJesus gave two examples of humility: Himself, who forgave those who insulted him, and little children, who do not seek revenge or keep records of wrongs.
Holding onto grudges versus childlike loveWe must examine ourselves to see if we still hold bad attitudes toward spouses or others because of things that happened years ago.
Receiving children in Jesus' nameBelievers should be friendly and welcoming toward all children, ensuring they are not afraid of us.
How parents stumble their childrenParents often stumble their children by speaking bitterly about others in the church or neighbors within earshot of their kids.
Guarding our speech at homeWhile mature spouses may discuss concerns privately, these conversations must never be held in the presence of children or make partners bitter.
The severe warning against stumbling a childJesus spoke strongly about the fate of anyone who stumbles a little child, stating it would be better to have a heavy millstone tied around the neck and be thrown into the sea.
Speaker: Zac Poonen
Title: Be Like Little Children
Date: 09/14/2025
Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29)
We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3)
We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Summary
Jesus calls Christians to become like little children by eliminating pride, self-importance, and grudges. True conversion involves developing a childlike mindset—free from thoughts of personal greatness, inability to hold grudges, and genuine love for others—which is the path to humility and spiritual greatness in God's kingdom.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
How do children react to you?A way to measure if we are becoming more like Jesus is how children react to us, whether they feel safe to approach us or are scared away.
Who is the greatest in the kingdom?When the disciples asked who was the greatest, Jesus surprised them by pointing to a little child and explaining that entering the kingdom requires conversion from our high thoughts of self-importance.
Meditating on the mind of a babyIf we want to be like a child in our thinking, we should meditate on a baby in a cradle who holds no thoughts of admiration, importance, or grudges against anyone.
The importance of meditating on ScriptureWe must slow down our Bible reading and deeply meditate on God's word rather than just reading it quickly like a newspaper.
Learning humility from Jesus and childrenJesus gave two examples of humility: Himself, who forgave those who insulted him, and little children, who do not seek revenge or keep records of wrongs.
Holding onto grudges versus childlike loveWe must examine ourselves to see if we still hold bad attitudes toward spouses or others because of things that happened years ago.
Receiving children in Jesus' nameBelievers should be friendly and welcoming toward all children, ensuring they are not afraid of us.
How parents stumble their childrenParents often stumble their children by speaking bitterly about others in the church or neighbors within earshot of their kids.
Guarding our speech at homeWhile mature spouses may discuss concerns privately, these conversations must never be held in the presence of children or make partners bitter.
The severe warning against stumbling a childJesus spoke strongly about the fate of anyone who stumbles a little child, stating it would be better to have a heavy millstone tied around the neck and be thrown into the sea.
