Consider the Statement; "Children can't be Disciples, so they can't be Christians either."

A person comes into a state of Discipleship only after their confirmation and since Discipleship and being a Christian are closely bound. This is as good a reason as any against children being disciples. The nature of discipleship itself is arduous and fraught with danger and responsibility. A child can not truly be called upon to accept the responsibility to die for their faith: (as Jesus calls them to: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself, take up his cross and follow me. Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it.” Mark 8v35-36)

Children are also fickle and easily tire of the latest “fad”. If children were left to their own choices over their discipleship they would enjoy Christianity for a while, and then move on. They have no concept of the term forever. This would transform Organised Religion into a fashion and remove us from the presence of God.

However, Jesus also mentions how children are the epitome of Christian behaviour; that the innocence, and wonder of children is the greatest gift from God and should be valued above all things; “He then took a little child whom he embraced and he said to them, ‘Any one who welcomes a little child such as this in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me here.’” Mark 9v36-37. The essence of the child, its very nature is what is called upon. And if children cannot become disciples then who can?

My conclusion is that truly, discipleship is based on a mental age and an understanding of the act being undertaken by the individual; a person of 50 with the mental age of a three year old would be classed as a Christian by this statement. Only with understanding and responsibility comes discipleship, and ultimately Christianity. Therefore, if a child has full understanding and control of their actions with a definite self-awareness; then they can become disciples.