Text: Mark 10:13-16

Title: “No Child Left Behind”

Introduction: The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), commonly known as NCLB, is a United States federal law that was passed in the House of Representatives on May 23, 2001and signed on January 8, 2002, that reauthorized a number of federal programs aiming to improve the performance of U.S. primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts and schools, as well as providing parents more flexibility in choosing which schools their children will attend. Additionally, it promoted an increased focus on reading and re-authorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965…This act is about public education, but the purpose of this sermon is aimed at improving the performance of churches, by increasing the standards of accountability of the church and parents.  We also want to focus on our children reading the Bible more.

I.                  The Responsibility of the Parent (13a)

·        Bring Children to Jesus

a.      Children are helpless & vulnerable.

b.     In reference to Luke’s account, he uses the term infants (babies) which means they will not bring themselves

c.     Parent must give guidance

d.     Parents must give protection – in the Mediterranean there was a main malignancy called the evil eye, and with Jesus laying his hands on them would be for protection and/or to clear this evil eye.

II.               The Responsibility of the Church (13b,14)

·        Not to rebuke (13b), reprove, spoke sharply to them - really were mean to them.

·        Our responsibility to is not to rebuke them, but receive them regardless of their condition.

·        (14a) Be displeased with anyone or situation that does not receive others.

·        (14b) “Forbid them not…” don’t hinder; don’t withhold a thing from them; don’t deny them opportunity; don’t refuse them

III.           Responsibility of the Child (15)

·        Be led by the parent, & not rebel against the parent. (now I am saying this to the children under the assumption that parents will lead them in the right way)

Conclusion:  It is a wonderful picture to see Jesus take the children in his arms.  Then lay hands on them and bless them (cause them to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on them, show God’s favor)  This is what God wants for each of us as adults. 

Jesus made it possible that “No Child Be Left Behind” on Calvary.