Sunday Nov. 4th Lesson

Matthew 18:1-5 The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

Why did the disciples ask this question? Did they sit around trying to figure out a pecking order?

Why do you think Jesus used a child as a prop to answer the question?


Matthew 18:6-7 Caring Through Influence
6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!

Who is Jesus talking about when he refers to “the little ones?”
A) Could be children
B) probably adult believers who are overlooked or deprived

“Who believes in me”= most likely new believers

What are some indirect ways we could cause other believers to sin?(gossip, jokes, skip church for something) others?

Comments: I guess the disciples were looking to see who would be the most important in Heaven and Jesus used a child as a prop to get their attention. He basically said unless they could humble themselves like a child they would never understand what Heaven was all about. In my class we figured the child had to be less than 5 years old because we all have children who are really testing their limits right now. Jesus then transitions in verse 6 to most likely say that the "little ones" are really the new believers. He uses the millstone in his explanation and they knew how heavy it was and in Israel not many people knew how to swim since they didn't really have swimming friendly shores. The millstone was HEAVY and he talked about DROWING!

It seems that it is worse for the person who causes someone else to sin than for the person who actually sins.

Woe to the world-there is obviously great stresses in the world due to sin and Jesus informs us that it is expected since sin is in the world. BUT, WOE to the man who causes others to sin. In this case I say, "KILL THE MESSENGER."