What is childlike faith? In preparation for the writing of this article, I decided to go straight to the source. I spoke with three children of various ages about faith. I asked three questions: What is faith? Is faith hard or easy? What do you do when life is hard?
Keegan, 11, said, “Faith is believing in God. Having faith is hard and easy. It is hard to have faith when life is hard. But faith in God is easy when life is easy. I still believe in God even when life is hard. And when life is hard, I pray.”
Kyler, 9, said, “Faith is believing in God.” When asked if it is easy or hard to believe in God, without hesitation, Kyler responded, “It is easy to believe in God! When life is hard, I pray. Actually, I pray when life is hard and easy. I pray a lot.”
Six-year-old Kaylynn’s responses show childlike faith from a child who has not yet become a Christian. She said, “I do not know what faith is, but when life is hard, I go to my mom and dad.” Each child is at a different stage, but all consistently express childlike faith.
The New Testament mentions childlike faith several times. Specifically in Mark 10:15, Jesus speaks to the faith of a child: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” To receive salvation and eternal life, we must believe in Christ with childlike faith. Matthew wrote, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of God.” Childlike faith is required in becoming a Christian.
Trust
Childlike faith can be characterized by trust, expectation, and dependence. Children naturally look to key figures in their lives—including parents, teachers, and grandparents—with foundational, unwavering trust. Children believe that those who love them are trustworthy. Trust is foundational in the Christian life. Without trusting God, we will not live life to its fullest. From an early age, many children learn Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Childlike faith exemplifies this complete trust. As a preteen, Keegan grasps the idea of trusting God. He stated that even when life is hard, he trusts in God.
Expectation
Expectation is another part of a child’s faith. Children naturally approach the world with hopeful expectation, especially those who grow up in homes where God’s character is discussed. Children learn about God by hearing Bible stories and seeing how God always cares for His people. Bible stories like Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, feeding the 5,000, and others. Thus, childlike faith allows the child to expect God to take care of them as He took care of people in biblical times. This expectation is evident in Kyler’s comments. Without hesitation, he declared that faith in God is easy. Kyler understands God’s character. With firm, unwavering faith, Kyler faces the future with hopeful expectation, knowing that God will always look after him, no matter what comes his way.
Dependence
From birth, children are fully dependent on their parents for their needs. Unlike children, adults pride themselves on their independence. However, God desires our full dependence on Him. James Brooks, author of The New American Commentary—The Book of Mark, referring to Mark 10:15, wrote, “the context favors the idea of the way in which a child receives what is offered to him or her: totally dependent on the person giving it.” As stated above, Kaylynn has absolute trust in her mom and dad. When times are hard in her life, she knows that her parents will love and protect her. She is totally dependent on the love and protection her parents provide.
Childlike faith demands the serious attention of both parents and the church community. It is the church’s responsibility to nurture this early faith and demonstrate Christ’s love from the very beginning of a child’s life. However, a church fails in this duty when it places individuals in children’s leadership roles who are not growing in their own faith, who lack knowledge of Scripture, or who fail to prioritize the spiritual development of the children. Placing loving, growing Christians in all parts of the preschool and children’s ministry is vital to nurturing childlike faith. Ultimately, protecting and cultivating childlike faith is one of the most powerful and lasting legacies a church can leave behind.
