# The Child — Unspoken Sermons character guide

> The Child in Unspoken Sermons by George MacDonald.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Child

**First appearance:** 0004-the-child-in-the-midst

## Who they are

Symbolic figure representing humility and the kingdom of heaven.

## Relationships

### [God the Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/god_the_father)

_family_

God as a nurturing parent to the innocent, trusting child.

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_family_

Jesus embraces the child as a symbol of the kingdom, with tender affection.

### [St. Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/st_paul)

_psychological_

Paul uses the child as a metaphor for spiritual simplicity and new birth.

### [The Brother Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/the_brother_christ)

_family_

The Brother Christ embodies the childlike spirit of divine kinship.

### [God the Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/god_the_father)

_family_

God as a nurturing parent to the innocent, trusting child.

### [God the Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/god_the_father)

_family_

God as a nurturing parent to the innocent, trusting child.

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_family_

Jesus embraces the child as a symbol of the kingdom, with tender affection.

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_family_

Jesus embraces the child as a symbol of the kingdom, with tender affection.

### [St. Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/st_paul)

_psychological_

Paul uses the child as a metaphor for spiritual simplicity and new birth.

### [St. Paul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/st_paul)

_psychological_

Paul uses the child as a metaphor for spiritual simplicity and new birth.

## In the story

### [Unspoken Sermons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/unspoken-sermons)

Symbol of the humble, trusting attitude required to enter the kingdom of heaven.

### [The Child in the Midst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-child-in-the-midst)

The child in Jesus' arms represents humanity's divine heart; receiving the child is receiving God.

### [The Higher Faith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-higher-faith)

Symbolizes the aspiring, trusting believer who draws near with a heart full of hope and imagination, contrasted with the dull disciple who forbids such faith.

### [It Shall Not Be Forgiven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/it-shall-not-be-forgiven)

Mentioned as an example of a child who feared she had committed the sin against the Holy Ghost over a trivial matter, illustrating the tenderness of Jesus toward little ones.

### [The New Name](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-new-name)

Implied in the discussion of God's creative process beginning with the child and working toward the realized idea.

### [Love Thine Enemy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/love-thine-enemy)

Referenced as the child of the Father in heaven, who can love enemies.

### [Second Series](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/second-series)

Symbolizes the ideal state of humility and trust required to enter the kingdom of heaven.

### [Man’s Difficulty Concerning Prayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/man-s-difficulty-concerning-prayer)

Used as a metaphor for the believer who comes to God with a simple, loving request for another, like a child asking a parent to help a sibling.

### [The Last Farthing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-last-farthing)

Symbol of the humble, penitent state required to receive sonship and learn to cry 'Father.'

### [Abba, Father!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/abba-father)

Symbolizes the believer's initial state of crying 'Father' and beginning the journey toward perfected sonship.

### [Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/life)

Every child will look in the eyes of the Father and be received with infinite embrace.

### [The Creation in Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-creation-in-christ)

Referenced as the child of God who must become a son or daughter through willing obedience.

### [Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/light)

Used metaphorically to describe believers as children of God who need to be made fit to receive good things.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/the_child
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters