Become as a Child

The allegory of becoming like a child is a teaching of Jesus Christ that appears in three different Gospel accounts. In all three accounts, Jesus uses the example of a child (παιδίον, טַף, נַעַר, בֵּן) to illustrate the qualities that are necessary for someone to enter the kingdom of God. When Christ taught this principle, the disciples had been arguing about who among them was the greatest (μείζων, גָּדול; also for רַב). Jesus called a child to him and said that unless they became like little children, they would not enter the kingdom of heaven.

At the time of Christ, children were considered to be powerless and dependent on others for their survival. They had no status or importance in society. By telling his followers to become like children, Jesus taught them to become humble, dependent, and trusting. He also encouraged them to have a childlike faith, which is simple, trusting, and open to learning.

This teaching is equally relevant to followers of Christ today because it reminds us of the importance of humility, trust, and faith in our relationship with God. One needs to come to God with the same childlike trust that a child has in their parents. We must also be humble and dependent on God, recognizing that we are powerless without Him. Jesus' teaching about becoming like a child challenges us to let go of our pride and self-sufficiency and to trust in God's goodness and love.

Additional Resources:

Little Children by Elder Boyd K. Packer

“To Walk Humbly with Thy God” by Elder Marlin K. Jensen

Teach the Children by President Thomas S. Monson

Jesus teaches a New Social Hierarchy with Servitude by Lynne Hilton Wilson Ph.D