Weak, Unruly, and Uncivilized

Mark 10:13-16

Context
American families have moved from "children should be seen and not heard" to "children must be the focal point of everything we do." Social context regarding children varies tremendously; in Jesus’ day, children were not even to be seen. Children were viewed by the male dominated culture as unpleasant little things that hopefully some day would grow up into real people.

Listening to the writer
How does Jesus respond to the disciples’ culturally fitting decision to protect him from bothersome children?

What might it mean to say that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children? Be wary of our modern understanding of children as innocent. Remember, children were viewed as weak, unruly, unpleasant, untrained, and uncivilized.

Listening to God
Did you grow up in a family where children were to be “seen and not heard,” or where children were doted upon?
Consider how you treat children in church. Is God calling for a change?
During worship, how might we deal with children that are creating a disruption?
Do you feel worthy to receive God’s kingdom? Or do you feel weak, unruly, unpleasant, untrained, and uncivilized?
Have you ever used “I could never do that” as a response when you heard a call to follow Christ in some difficult way? Is God calling you as a weak, untrained child to be part of his rule on earth?

Miscellaneous Meanderings
We tried to make our children part of the family, without making them the center of the family. I don't know whether or not we succeeded. I do know that, having survived our decisions good and bad, our children have grown into amazing people.

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