June 16th, 2026
by Matthew Spoon
by Matthew Spoon
5-Day Devotional: Kingdom Eyes for Children
Day 1: Prioritizing What Jesus Prioritizes
Reading: Mark 10:13-16
Devotional: The disciples thought they were protecting Jesus by keeping children away. Instead, Jesus became indignant—righteously angry—at their misguided priorities. What breaks the heart of Jesus should break ours. Children aren't distractions from ministry; they are the ministry. Today, ask yourself: What have I dismissed as unimportant that Jesus considers essential? Perhaps it's the interruption from a child, the "simple" ministry of greeting someone, or the quiet work of prayer. Jesus sees kingdom value where the world sees inconvenience. Let His priorities reshape yours. Look down and around—the mission field is closer than you think.
Reflection Question: Who in my immediate circle have I overlooked as "too small" for significant spiritual investment?
Day 2: Coming With Empty Hands
Reading: Matthew 18:1-5
Devotional: Children don't bring resumes to their parents—they bring empty hands and expect to be fed. This is the posture Jesus requires for entering His kingdom. We cannot embrace Christ with fists full of achievements, pride, or sin. Greatness in God's kingdom comes through lowering ourselves, through radical dependency. Today, identify what you're clutching that prevents you from fully receiving God's grace. Is it self-sufficiency? Past accomplishments? Secret sins? The gospel isn't a wage earned with good behavior; it's a gift received with childlike trust. Open your hands. Let go. Jesus is waiting to fill them with something far better than anything you're holding.
Reflection Question: What am I holding onto that keeps me from fully depending on Jesus?
Day 3: Learning From Little Ones
Reading: Psalm 127:1-5
Devotional: Children are called "a heritage from the Lord" and "a reward." Yet how often do we see them merely as responsibilities rather than teachers? Children show us patience in its rawest form, joy in the smallest discoveries, and trust without cynicism. A child leaps into their father's arms without calculating risk—pure trust. When did we lose that? C.S. Lewis noted that a child's imagination often brings them closer to reality than adult skepticism. Today, observe a child. Notice their wonder, their honesty, their forgiveness. These aren't childish traits to outgrow—they're childlike qualities to reclaim. God often teaches profound truths through the smallest voices.
Reflection Question: What childlike quality have I lost that I need to rediscover in my walk with God?
Day 4: Removing the Barriers
Reading: Matthew 19:13-15
Devotional: The disciples became spiritual gatekeepers, standing between children and the Savior with open arms. How tragic to be the obstacle between someone and Jesus! We can become gatekeepers through our judgments, our busyness, our categories of who's "ready" for God. Perhaps we think someone's too young, too broken, too different, or too far gone. Jesus says, "Let them come." Your calling isn't to guard the gate but to illuminate the path. Be an air traffic controller with lights pointing toward Jesus, not a barrier blocking the way. Examine your heart: Have you written anyone off? Have you prioritized comfort over compassion? Today, choose to remove barriers rather than build them.
Reflection Question: Who have I consciously or unconsciously kept at a distance from experiencing Jesus?
Day 5: The Great Commission Includes the Small
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20
Devotional: "Go and make disciples of all nations"—no age restrictions, no fine print excluding children. D.L. Moody, one of history's greatest evangelists, said if he could live again, he'd give his life to children. Every craft, every game, every snack, every conversation is mission territory. You're not just filling time; you're planting seeds for eternity. The mission field isn't only across oceans—it's across the dinner table, in the backseat, at the playground. Children make up nations. They need Jesus just as desperately as adults. This week, commit to intentionally discipling the children in your sphere. Pray for them. Teach them. Show them Jesus with arms wide open. Your investment today shapes eternity tomorrow.
Reflection Question: How will I intentionally invest in the spiritual formation of a child this week?
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me Your eyes to see children as You see them—not as distractions, but as the very picture of Your kingdom. Help me come to You with empty, trusting hands. Remove any barrier I've placed between others and You. Make me a faithful light-bearer, pointing all people—especially the little ones—to Your open arms. In Your name, Amen.
Day 1: Prioritizing What Jesus Prioritizes
Reading: Mark 10:13-16
Devotional: The disciples thought they were protecting Jesus by keeping children away. Instead, Jesus became indignant—righteously angry—at their misguided priorities. What breaks the heart of Jesus should break ours. Children aren't distractions from ministry; they are the ministry. Today, ask yourself: What have I dismissed as unimportant that Jesus considers essential? Perhaps it's the interruption from a child, the "simple" ministry of greeting someone, or the quiet work of prayer. Jesus sees kingdom value where the world sees inconvenience. Let His priorities reshape yours. Look down and around—the mission field is closer than you think.
Reflection Question: Who in my immediate circle have I overlooked as "too small" for significant spiritual investment?
Day 2: Coming With Empty Hands
Reading: Matthew 18:1-5
Devotional: Children don't bring resumes to their parents—they bring empty hands and expect to be fed. This is the posture Jesus requires for entering His kingdom. We cannot embrace Christ with fists full of achievements, pride, or sin. Greatness in God's kingdom comes through lowering ourselves, through radical dependency. Today, identify what you're clutching that prevents you from fully receiving God's grace. Is it self-sufficiency? Past accomplishments? Secret sins? The gospel isn't a wage earned with good behavior; it's a gift received with childlike trust. Open your hands. Let go. Jesus is waiting to fill them with something far better than anything you're holding.
Reflection Question: What am I holding onto that keeps me from fully depending on Jesus?
Day 3: Learning From Little Ones
Reading: Psalm 127:1-5
Devotional: Children are called "a heritage from the Lord" and "a reward." Yet how often do we see them merely as responsibilities rather than teachers? Children show us patience in its rawest form, joy in the smallest discoveries, and trust without cynicism. A child leaps into their father's arms without calculating risk—pure trust. When did we lose that? C.S. Lewis noted that a child's imagination often brings them closer to reality than adult skepticism. Today, observe a child. Notice their wonder, their honesty, their forgiveness. These aren't childish traits to outgrow—they're childlike qualities to reclaim. God often teaches profound truths through the smallest voices.
Reflection Question: What childlike quality have I lost that I need to rediscover in my walk with God?
Day 4: Removing the Barriers
Reading: Matthew 19:13-15
Devotional: The disciples became spiritual gatekeepers, standing between children and the Savior with open arms. How tragic to be the obstacle between someone and Jesus! We can become gatekeepers through our judgments, our busyness, our categories of who's "ready" for God. Perhaps we think someone's too young, too broken, too different, or too far gone. Jesus says, "Let them come." Your calling isn't to guard the gate but to illuminate the path. Be an air traffic controller with lights pointing toward Jesus, not a barrier blocking the way. Examine your heart: Have you written anyone off? Have you prioritized comfort over compassion? Today, choose to remove barriers rather than build them.
Reflection Question: Who have I consciously or unconsciously kept at a distance from experiencing Jesus?
Day 5: The Great Commission Includes the Small
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20
Devotional: "Go and make disciples of all nations"—no age restrictions, no fine print excluding children. D.L. Moody, one of history's greatest evangelists, said if he could live again, he'd give his life to children. Every craft, every game, every snack, every conversation is mission territory. You're not just filling time; you're planting seeds for eternity. The mission field isn't only across oceans—it's across the dinner table, in the backseat, at the playground. Children make up nations. They need Jesus just as desperately as adults. This week, commit to intentionally discipling the children in your sphere. Pray for them. Teach them. Show them Jesus with arms wide open. Your investment today shapes eternity tomorrow.
Reflection Question: How will I intentionally invest in the spiritual formation of a child this week?
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me Your eyes to see children as You see them—not as distractions, but as the very picture of Your kingdom. Help me come to You with empty, trusting hands. Remove any barrier I've placed between others and You. Make me a faithful light-bearer, pointing all people—especially the little ones—to Your open arms. In Your name, Amen.
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