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Abstract

Jesus, in his teaching from the Gospels, conveys important truths about children and their value, yet sometimes alludes to them in a figurative way to illustrate important truths about the kingdom and challenge adults to faith and spiritual growth. In a few key passages—this study will primarily focus on those from Matthew—the child is held up in Jesus’ teaching as a radical new model for understanding God and the kingdom of heaven. An understanding of children and child-likeness appears to be more important in a basic understanding of the gospel and the way of the disciple than those of Jesus’ day—as well as many in the current day—have conceived. These truths have important implications for changing Christian education ministry to both children and adults.

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Childlikeness: An Essential for Disciples

Abstract

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References