The Questions We Outgrow (And Shouldn’t)
Kendall Mariah
4 min read ⭑
As Christians, we often talk about childlike faith, pointing to the passage in Matthew 19 where Jesus tells his disciples to let the children come to him. It’s a beautiful, poignant moment that illustrates how Jesus consistently went against the cultural norms of his time. The disciples thought that children would be disruptive to his teaching, a distraction to the crowd. After all, if the goal was to gather more followers, the adults — especially the “important” ones — should be the ones in closest proximity to Jesus, right? But in a surprising twist, Jesus flipped that expectation on its head. He welcomed the children, showing that in his kingdom, the values of humility, innocence and unreserved trust were the qualities to aspire to.
Verses 14 and 15 state, “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” (Matt. 19:14,15, NIV)
Jesus tells us not to hinder or withhold the children because they already embody a faith that is pure, simple and trusting. We often interpret this to mean that we should strive for childlike faith — believing and trusting in God with a sense of innocence and wonder. But I believe there’s more to it. Jesus knew that by inviting the children to come to him, he wasn’t just showing us an example of simple faith; he was also modeling how a raw, unfiltered and Spirit-led response is not only approved by God but encouraged. The way children instinctively approach Jesus — without pretense or hesitation — reminds us that God delights in our honest, genuine responses to him, free from the layers we often build up as adults.
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Without caveats or conditions, Jesus invited the children to come to him. He knew they would squirm, make noise and ask questions. But I also believe he knew that their questions — endless and curious — were exactly what he wanted to encourage. It’s simply who kids are; it’s what they do.
Have you ever ridden in a car with a four-year- old? It’s like a constant litany of questions: “Where are we going?” “How many minutes until we’re there?” “Can I have a snack?” “Why are stoplights green?” You try to answer as many as you can, or you distract them with the right song to buy yourself a few moments of peace. But even in those moments, it’s clear: Their questions are a natural part of their curiosity, an unfiltered desire to understand the world around them. Jesus knew this. He welcomed it, because those questions are a part of the faith journey — honest, raw and searching for meaning.
It’s simply in our nature to ask questions. It’s how we learn about logic, reasoning and the world around us. Our need to understand is often met with “Why?” and “How?” — questions that propel us forward in our thinking. But somewhere along the way, we lose that drive to ask, to challenge and to push back. We start to accept things without questioning them, leaving behind that natural curiosity we had as children. We second-guess ourselves, worry about what others might think, or just get tired of rocking the boat. But here’s the thing: Those questions that make us uncomfortable or even stir things up? They’re usually the ones that lead us to something real and meaningful.
When Jesus said, “Let the children come to me,” he wasn’t just talking about holding on to our childlike faith and wonder. He was saying that raw, unfiltered curiosity — those honest, sometimes messy questions — are exactly what we need to connect with him and the world. So, whether we’re looking at a budget, studying art or trying to make sense of our beliefs, let’s remember: Sometimes the best thing we can do is ask a question, even if it’s the one no one else is brave enough to ask. After all, it’s those questions that have a way of leading us to bigger answers, deeper growth and a whole lotta change.
“And maybe, just maybe, the questions you’re afraid to ask are the ones that could lead you to something deeper.”
The next time something doesn’t sit right with you — whether it’s a little, weird gut feeling or a full-blown eyebrow-raising moment — ask yourself, What’s going on here? Why am I having a reaction like this? What conviction is getting stirred up in my spirit? You don’t just let it slide. You don’t accept things at face value. You take a moment to scratch the surface and dive a little deeper.
It could be anything. Maybe you hear a piece of advice that feels a little too polished or convenient, or maybe you see something in your community, your work or your church that makes you think, Hmm, that doesn’t add up. Stop and ask the questions. Why is it this way? Who benefits? Is there a different perspective we’re missing?
I’m not saying you should go on a full-fledged, take-down-the-system quest unless you’re up for it, of course, but challenge yourself to embrace that childlike curiosity. Dig into the details, ask the hard questions and don’t just go along with the flow simply because “that’s the way things have always been.”
Here’s the kicker: Don’t just ask the questions in your head. You’re allowed to speak up, to voice your doubts or curiosities. I promise, the world won’t end if you ask “Why?” and the people around you might just respect you more for it. And maybe, just maybe, the questions you’re afraid to ask are the ones that could lead you to something deeper.
So go ahead, raise your hand, even if it feels a little awkward at first. You’ve got this!
In 2016, Kendall founded Unapologetic Ministry, a blog and community focused on topics that are sometimes taboo in polite church communities — infertility, depression, anxiety and eating disorders, just to name a few.
Adapted from “This Little Fire of Mine” by Kendall Mariah. Copyright © 2026. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson.
