By Ariel
Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Childlike humility opens doors to kingdom living.
- Care for vulnerable people reflects Jesus’ heart.
- Peacemaking follows clear, kind steps that aim at restoration.
- Forgiveness flows freely because grace runs deeper than hurt.
🌟 Hi friends! Ariel here! I’m so excited to share some truly beautiful things my family and I learned from Matthew 18—and wow, there’s a lot packed into this chapter! 📖
Jesus talks about some of the most important things ever:
- Being humble
- Learning to forgive
- And caring for people who feel left out or lost 💛
It’s like a treasure chest full of wisdom—and I can’t wait to open it with you!
When we read this together, one of the first things that stood out was how Jesus wants us to stay humble. That means not trying to be the biggest, best, or most popular. It means remembering that we all need God, and we all have something special to offer—no matter how small we might feel.
And guess what? Jesus didn’t just say this stuff—He told stories to help us understand it better! Like the story of the lost sheep, and the servant who forgot how to forgive. 🐑💬 These parables are super easy to picture and totally connect to real life.
Jesus also reminded us that forgiveness isn’t just something we do once in a while—it’s something we live out. When we forgive, we let go of heavy stuff that drags us down. We make space for peace, healing, and new beginnings. 🌈
Download the Family Study PDF
Ready discussion prompts, memory verse helps, journaling space, and an activity for peacemaking practice.
And then there’s this awesome challenge: to care for others, especially those who might feel left out, different, or lonely. Jesus wants us to be like shepherds, always noticing when someone needs help and never giving up on them. That’s what His love looks like.
So come along with me as we dive into these amazing lessons from Matthew 18! Let’s discover how we can live like Jesus—by being kind, forgiving from the heart, and spreading joy wherever we go.
Let’s live the Kingdom way, together! 👑✨
TL;DR
Childlike hearts welcome God’s ways; caring hands guard the vulnerable; brave love restores relationships; generous mercy forgives again and again.
🌱 Humility: The Key to Greatness
Our journey into Matthew 18 starts with a super big question from Jesus’ disciples:
“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1)
And how did Jesus answer? Not with a long speech or a fancy chart—He called over a little child to stand right in the middle of everyone. Then He said:
“Whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:4)
My eyes got wide. “Wait, really?” I asked Daddy. “Why would being like a kid make someone great?”
Daddy smiled and said, “Because children trust easily. They’re not trying to be the most important—they’re just happy to learn, to love, and to believe. That’s the kind of heart God treasures.”
Alice, hugging Mr. Fluffernutter like he was nodding along, added, “So… God thinks being like me is great?”
“Exactly!” Yaya said, her face lighting up. “Greatness isn’t about trophies or fame. It’s about kindness. It’s about helping others before helping ourselves. And it’s about having a heart that listens to God and lives with love.”
That got me thinking.
In the world, people chase after awards, likes, and gold stars ⭐. But in God’s kingdom? The real “stars” are the ones who put others first, who forgive quickly, and who love with no strings attached.
Being humble means:
- Letting someone else go first
- Saying “I’m sorry” and really meaning it
- Not needing to be right all the time
- Helping without needing a reward
Jesus wasn’t telling us to act silly or be babyish. He was showing us that when we live with simple trust, open hearts, and a love that doesn’t brag—we’re living His way. 💛
So, if you’ve ever felt small or overlooked—don’t worry. In God’s eyes, that’s exactly where greatness begins.
Let’s keep exploring, because next, Jesus is going to show us how much every person matters—especially those who feel lost…
Fun Fact
First question in Matthew 18 asks about “greatest,” yet Jesus answers by placing a child in the center. Status shifts to humility.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
Why does Jesus point to a child here?
Humility models kingdom greatness; dependence on God replaces chasing status.
💛 Caring for Others: A Heart of Compassion
As we kept reading in Matthew 18, Jesus said something that really stood out:
“Whoever welcomes one such little child in My name welcomes Me.” (Matthew 18:5)
Alice, who was busy tucking Mr. Fluffernutter into a blanket, looked up and asked, “Does that mean we should be extra kind to people who feel left out?”
Yaya nodded right away. “Yes, sweet girl,” she said. “Jesus is teaching us to care for everyone, especially those who feel forgotten, lonely, or left behind. When we show kindness to them, it’s like we’re welcoming Jesus Himself.” (Focus on the Family shares great tips on how families can help children grow in compassion.)
That gave me chills in the best way. 🌈
It made me realize something super important: kindness isn’t just being nice—it’s part of God’s mission. Every time we smile at someone who feels left out, share with someone who’s sad, or invite someone into our game, we’re showing God’s heart.
And those small things? They make a HUGE difference.
🌟 Tiny Acts, Big Impact
Sometimes we think we have to do big things to be helpful—but that’s not true. Jesus sees value in even the smallest gestures:
- Saying “you can sit with me” at lunch
- Including someone new in your friend group
- Noticing when someone’s sad and asking, “Are you okay?”
- Holding the door with a smile (and not letting it slam 😅)
All these things shine God’s light into someone’s day—and that’s amazing.
👀 Seeing with God’s Eyes
Yaya reminded us that caring like Jesus means looking at people through God’s eyes, not just our own. That means we don’t just help people who are already our friends—we go out of our way to love people who need it most.
And when we do? We help them feel seen. Valued. Loved. 💖
That’s what Jesus did—and He invites us to do the same.
So next time you’re at school, church, or even the playground, ask yourself:
“Who can I care for today?”
Because every little act of love matters. And when we live with a heart full of compassion, we help build a world that looks a little more like heaven.
Let’s keep going—because the next part of Jesus’ teaching is about how important every person is to God… especially the ones who feel far away. 🐑
Family Activity — Lost & Found Prayer Map
- Draw a simple map of your home or neighborhood.
- Mark three places where care might be needed today.
- Pray short blessings as you visit or message those people.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
How does the Lost Sheep shape family habits?
Regular check-ins, quick encouragements, and shared prayer become normal rhythms.
🐑 The Lost Sheep: God’s Relentless Love
This part of Matthew 18 might be one of my favorites—Jesus tells the Parable of the Lost Sheep!
He says there’s a shepherd with 100 sheep (that’s a LOT of wooly buddies!). But then—uh-oh—one of them wanders off. Instead of just staying with the 99 that are safe, the shepherd leaves them and goes out searching for the one that’s lost.
And when he finds it? He celebrates big time! 🎉
Jesus ends the story by saying:
“It is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14)
Alice clapped her hands and shouted, “I bet the shepherd throws a party with sheep-shaped cookies and balloons!”
(Okay, I’m not sure about the cookies—but I love that idea.)
She’s right, though—that’s how happy God gets when one of us comes back to Him! 💛
💖 God Never Gives Up
This story shows us something really amazing: God’s love never gives up.
Even when we wander off or make mistakes, He doesn’t just say, “Oh well.” He comes after us—every time.
That means:
- When you feel far away from God… He’s looking for you
- When you mess up… He’s already ready to forgive
- And when you say “I’m sorry”… Heaven celebrates YOU 🥳
🌟 You Are So Important to Him
The shepherd didn’t say, “Oh, it’s just one sheep.” He knew that every single one matters. That includes you. That includes me. That includes kids who feel left out, or people who think they’re too far gone.
Jesus was showing us that God’s love is personal. He sees you, knows you, and is always ready to welcome you home with open arms. 🫶
When I think about this story, it makes me want to:
- Love people who feel forgotten
- Forgive quickly
- Help others find their way back to God too
Because if God celebrates when we’re found, shouldn’t we help others feel that same joy too? 🐑💕
Let’s keep going—because next up, Jesus has something powerful to say about how we forgive others from the heart.
Fun Fact
“Binding and loosing” language appears here within a peacemaking process, not a power contest.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
What if someone refuses to listen?
Boundaries protect others while compassion keeps praying and inviting change.
💞 Forgiveness: A Call to Grace
One of the most surprising things in Matthew 18 happened when Peter asked Jesus:
“Lord, how many times should I forgive someone who hurts me? Seven times?”
Jesus answered:
“Not seven… but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21–22)
Alice gasped and whispered, “That’s 490 times!”
She even tried to start counting on her fingers before running out of space. 😄
Jesus wasn’t giving us a math assignment—He was showing us something BIG:
Forgiveness isn’t something we do once. It’s something we keep doing—again and again—just like God forgives us. (Read more about what true forgiveness looks like in this post I wrote about Jesus’ parable of the Unforgiving Servant!)
📖 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
To help us understand, Jesus told a story about a king and his servant.
There was a man who owed the king a huge debt—like, way more than a million dollars! 💰 But when the man begged for mercy, the king said, “Okay—I forgive the whole thing.”
WOW. That’s a ton of grace!
But then… that same man went to someone who owed him just a few bucks. Instead of showing the same mercy, he got angry and demanded payment right away. 😠
When the king heard what happened, he was so disappointed. He said:
“Shouldn’t you have shown the same compassion that I showed you?” (Matthew 18:33)
💡 What Forgiveness Really Means
After we read the story, Alice looked up and said,
“Forgiveness is like sharing God’s love, isn’t it?”
Daddy smiled and said, “Exactly. When we forgive, we’re not just being nice—we’re passing on the same love and grace that God gives us every day.”
And you know what? Forgiveness isn’t just for the other person—it helps you too, releasing stress and building emotional health just like researchers from the APA explain. It takes away the heavy feelings in your heart and fills you with peace instead. 🌈
💬 Let’s Forgive Like Jesus
Here’s what we can remember:
- Forgiveness is a choice we make again and again
- It doesn’t mean forgetting what happened—but it does mean choosing love over anger
- God has forgiven us so much—so we can learn to forgive others too 💖
So next time someone hurts your feelings, try to pause and pray:
“God, help me to forgive—just like You forgave me.”
Let’s keep going—because now we’ve learned about humility, compassion, and forgiveness… and Jesus is inviting us to live all of these out, every single day!
Fun Fact
Peter suggested seven times; Jesus multiplied mercy to “seventy-seven” or “seventy times seven.”
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
Does forgiving mean pretending nothing happened?
Forgiveness releases personal revenge; wisdom still sets healthy boundaries.
👑 Living the Kingdom Way: Your Turn!
Okay friends, we’ve learned so much from Matthew 18—about being humble, forgiving, caring, and celebrating God’s amazing love. But here’s the best part: we don’t just read these lessons—we get to LIVE them! 🎉
Here are some super cool ways you and I can live the Kingdom way, starting today:
🌱 Be Humble
Jesus said the greatest in God’s kingdom are the ones who become like little children.
That means:
- Saying “I don’t know” and being okay with it
- Asking questions when we’re confused
- Admitting when we’re wrong and saying “I’m sorry”
Being humble isn’t about thinking less of yourself—it’s about being willing to learn, grow, and trust God with your whole heart.
💞 Care for the Vulnerable
Is there someone in your class who sits alone? Someone who’s new to your church? Or maybe a kid who doesn’t get picked for teams?
Be the one who notices. Be the one who sits, listens, and invites.
Jesus wants us to care for people who feel left out—because when we love others like that, we’re loving Him too. 💗
🎉 Celebrate God’s Love
Don’t keep God’s love a secret—celebrate it!
You can:
- Sing a worship song that makes your heart happy 🎶
- Thank God out loud for something awesome 🥳
- Share a story with your family about how you saw God’s love this week
The more we celebrate how good God is, the more joy we bring into the world!
🔄 Forgive Without Limits
Forgiveness isn’t easy (especially when someone really hurts your feelings), but it’s SO worth it.
Jesus says to forgive again… and again… and again. Not because people always deserve it, but because God forgives us that way, too. 🌈
Try saying:
- “I forgive you”
- “Let’s start over”
- Or even, “I’m still upset, but I want to make peace.”
That’s how healing begins—and it brings freedom to our hearts.
Fun Fact
Parable appears only in Matthew; numbers dramatize a debt no person could repay alone.
Kid-Safe Links:
💬 Final Thought from Me 💕
Wow! Matthew 18 is full of some of the most amazing lessons Jesus ever shared. It’s like a big treasure chest filled with love, grace, and hope—and each verse helps us learn how to live with a heart that looks more like His. 💛
Jesus taught us:
- To be humble like little children
- To forgive others again and again
- And to care deeply for every single person, especially those who feel lost or left out
Isn’t that beautiful?
🌟 What I Learned
Jesus doesn’t want us to be perfect—He wants us to be real.
He wants us to come to Him with open hearts, ready to trust, ready to forgive, and ready to love big.
When we forgive others, we’re not just being nice—we’re showing the same love God gives us. When we help someone who feels alone, we’re bringing a little piece of heaven into their life.
And when we live with kindness, humility, and joy, we become walking, talking reminders of God’s kingdom here on Earth. 🌍💫
So let’s do this together, okay?
Let’s:
- Live with grace
- Share peace
- Forgive freely
- And love with big, bold kingdom hearts
We may be young, but with God’s love in our hearts, we can make a huge difference in the world—one kind word, one gentle action, and one prayer at a time.
With all my heart,
Ariel 💕
Keep Learning on Blogging4Adventure
Quick Check Quiz
Compare & Discern
| Approach | Goal | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Harsh punishment | Control | Fear, hiding |
| Ignore issue | Comfort | Harm spreads |
| Restoration in love | Healing | Repentance, unity, growth |
Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Humility | Choosing lowliness before God and others. |
| Stumble | Cause harm or lead someone toward sin. |
| Restore | Repair a relationship through truth and grace. |
| Repentance | Turning from wrong toward God and repair. |
| Mercy | Kindness given beyond what justice requires. |
References
| Citation | Link |
|---|---|
| Blogging4Adventure — Accountability in Love (1 Corinthians 5) | Open |
| Blogging4Adventure — Becoming Like Little Children | Open |
| Blogging4Adventure — The Power of Loving Like Jesus | Open |
| BibleGateway — Matthew 18 (ESV) | Open |
| Enduring Word — Commentary on Matthew 18 | Open |
| GotQuestions — “Seventy times seven” & reconciliation | Open |
Practice & Pray
Humble hearts welcome God’s ways; caring hands protect; courageous love restores; generous mercy forgives. Matthew 18 for families turns everyday moments into kingdom practice.
Ariel — Kid Author & Faith Explorer
Homeschool writer at Blogging4Adventure, blending Bible study, science, and family activities. Posts reviewed by Mom & Dad for accuracy and safety; Scripture cross-checked with trusted study tools.
FAQ
How can families practice Matthew 18 at home?
Start with private talks, use kind words, invite help if needed, pray together for healing.
What memory verse fits this chapter?
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:4)
Where do kids begin with forgiveness?
Practice short apologies and quick forgiveness; write thankful notes after conflict resolves.
[…] We begin to trust Him more, follow Him better, and let His love shape how we treat others. (Living the Kingdom Way: Lessons from Matthew 18) […]