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Parents are often asked about the moral values and life lessons that they would like to teach their children. It's less common for them to be asked about the lessons their children have taught them. William Saroyan, a Pulitzer Prize - winning writer, said, "While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about"

Matthew 18:1-4 (NIV) At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Lessons from Children of the Bible

Let us look at what we can learn from three children of the Bible.

I. THE LITTLE BOY – Samuel [1 Samuel 3]

In the beginning of the story itself we see how God answered Hannah’s prayer by giving her a son, Samuel. First, God calling out the boy Samuel in the middle of the night shows that He can speak to anyone including little children. Secondly, He knows your name. God called out to Samuel an ordinary boy and asked him to pass His message to the people. Thirdly, God can use little children to do great things. God was able to use Samuel because He was genuinely dedicated to God. Who knows, maybe He will call your little one to do great things for the Kingdom, too!

II. THE LITTLE GIRL - Maid of Naaman’s Wife [2 Kings 5:1-19]

The whole of Naaman’s fascinating story revolves around the nameless, captive little maid who belonged to Israel. What we can learn from the few words she spoke to her mistress are that she was a believer - brought to live among idolaters. She clung to her own faith in the living God and sought to share her knowledge of Him with others. Hers was a strong, contagious faith, enabling her to live without any feeling of homesickness in an alien land, and any resentment against her captors. Her love for God inspired her to love her masters and to win her way into their affection and confidence. She never hid her light under a bushel. Although only a maid, this godly girl did not feel she was unimportant to influence others.

Thus, she is remembered throughout succeeding generations. Her fascinating story teaches us the far-reaching influence of a little slave girl.

III. The Little boy – 5 Loaves and 2 Fish [John 6:1-13]

This miracle is recorded in all four Gospels. The interesting thing we notice about this story is that, three of the Gospel writers Mark, Luke and John miss out about writing or even mentioning about children in the story except for Matthew. This shows they didn’t feel it was important for them to mention about children.

The boy gave whatever little he had, and that made all the difference. Here we see that Jesus took whatever the young boy offered and used it to accomplish one of the greatest miracles recorded in the Gospels. Jesus fed 5000 people plus women and children because of one little boy’s generous heart. If you will notice, that little boy received back from his generosity more than he could carry home. He received 12 baskets full of loaves and fishes. I wonder what would happen if we all would cultivate a culture of generosity in our own lives and family.

Age is no bar to Jesus. Never think you are too young to be of service to him.

Children are our great teachers!!!