He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4

            Jesus used a child as an example of innocence, dependence and submissive to authority.  Jesus said a person who surrenders himself to God must submit with those qualities.  Children need their parents and listen to their parents.  Jesus focused on the heart of the Christian.  While a Christian should mature in their faith and grow up with knowledge, they must preserve those child-like qualities.