Who Says You Are ‘Great’?
BRD REFLECTION 2026
Matthew 18:1-9 and Psalm 66:13-20 (NIV)
(Cecil Chee, Children’s Ministry)
READ:
Matthew 18:1-9 (NIV)
This passage gives an account of Jesus’ discourse with His disciples on who He considers to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
OBSERVE:
Jesus’ reference to children reorders how we are to ‘see’ as kingdom people. Our society measures greatness in terms of human accolades and achievement. But today’s reading reminds me that God calls me into a specific and special relationship with Him, that of a father and his child. The posture of one with childlike faith is like that of a beloved child who looks to his father for protection, comfort, learning, encouragement, and so much more. Greatness in heaven is then equated with humility and a childlike faith and trust in God.
Jesus follows this with a warning that there will be dire consequences for those who cause a person to stumble in their relationship with Christ.
APPLY:
As a children’s ministry teacher, I am conscious of the privilege of my calling and the need to take it seriously. Jesus’ teaching about the dire consequences of causing others to stumble, preventing them from knowing the truth about Him, or mishandling that truth is a sober reminder to me.
I am also filled with joy that Jesus has made me right with God. Sealed by the Holy Spirit, God sees me as His child. In Jesus, and by taking the lowly position of a child, I can be called “the greatest” by our God the Father.
DO:
God declares that I am His child! He calls me to reflect that truth in who I am. Beginning each day in worship and prayer, I seek His direction for what I should say and do. I pray that my speech and actions or, conversely, my failure to speak or act when the situation demands it, will not cause anyone to stumble.
PRAY:
Father God,
Thank You that Your Word, the Truth, never fails to bring me closer to You. As I go out today, may the Holy Spirit lead me to be mindful of my thoughts, speech, and actions so that they will be both pleasing to You and edifying to those You have me meet.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
