Matthew 19:13-15

This Sunday begins a four-week tour of the Gospels in which I have chosen my favorite story from each of them — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This Sunday, the reading in Matthew 19:13-15.

As you may know, I love children. Before I felt a call to ministry, there was a time when I began the elementary education track at the University of Washington, when I was an undergraduate there. And, as you may know, Lisa and I have welcomed more than 20 foster children into our home since 2000. So I am especially drawn to this passage in which Jesus welcomes children.

Why do you suppose “little children were being brought to [Jesus] so that he might lay his hands on them and bless them” (Matthew 19:13)?

To the degree that you have had relationships with children as a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, caregiver, teacher, or friend, how have you thought of yourself as responsible for their spiritual lives?

When we baptize a child, the entire congregation makes a vow before God to “pray for [child’s name], and help [child’s name] grow in their faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ.” How have you lived out this vow with the children at MBPPC?