WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: Think about the people in your church or fellowship. Which of them would you say is a mature Christian? Why?

Baby food
The author of Hebrews is concerned that his readers still need to be taught the basics of Christian faith rather than maturing in righteousness. Instead of being able to pass what they have learned onto others, they need repeat lessons.

The analogy is striking. Of course a baby needs milk to begin with – but it’s not long before solid food is introduced to the diet. If it isn’t, the baby won’t grow properly into an adult. Also, a baby needs to be fed, whereas even quite a young child begins to feed itself.

Growing up
It’s the same with faith. When people come to faith, the plan should be that they begin to grow straight away. ‘Baby’ believers need to understand the basics at first, then their faith needs to grow so that they develop into mature Christians. If they don’t, the church stays full of immature believers.

We can take responsibility for some of that ourselves, but churches also need to have a framework that enables people to grow up rather than keeping them dependent. You only grow by being given solid food – and by eating it.

Respond: What’s the ‘food’ like in your church? What other sources of ‘nourishment’ do you have? Pray for those with the responsibility of helping others to grow.

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-03-01