Feeding Yourself

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

“Mom, look at Tommy!” Avery laughed as her little brother waved his spoon and smeared mashed potatoes over his face. He dipped the spoon back into his bowl and then put it to his mouth. “Big boy!”

Avery cheered. “You got it all in this time.”

“Pretty soon he’ll be eating everything by himself,” said Mom. She patted Tommy’s curly head as she reached for a spoon to feed him the last bit of food from his bowl. Then she handed him his cup of milk. “There you go. You can finish that while Mommy clears the table.”

“Can I be excused?” asked Avery. “I need to finish my history project for school.”

Mom nodded. “And if you haven’t had your devotions yet, do that too before you watch TV.”

Avery sighed. “Sometimes I think I might as well skip having devotions by myself. I don’t understand the Bible very well. I get a lot more out of our family devotions because you and Dad explain things I don’t get. Why can’t I just wait until I’m older to read the Bible on my own?”

Mom looked at her thoughtfully. “What if Tommy wouldn’t try to feed himself until he was…oh, maybe ten years old? Would that be a good thing?”

“No,” said Avery. “That wouldn’t be good at all!”

“Right,” said Mom. “We’re happy to help him when he needs it, but we’re also glad to see him try to feed himself—even when he misses his mouth and makes a mess. As he practices, he’ll become better at it.”

Avery smiled at Tommy. “He’s getting better already.”

“Well, the Bible is like spiritual food,” Mom said. “As we learn the truth of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit uses it to strengthen our faith and nourish our souls. You take in spiritual food by learning about the Bible at church and during devotions with the rest of us, which is very important, but it’s good for you to learn to feed yourself spiritually too.”

Avery glanced at Tommy’s messy face. “When I don’t understand what I read, I guess it’s kinda like I missed my mouth,” she said with a grin.

Mom laughed. “Then you can ask for help. But don’t stop trying. Learn to get some spiritual food all by yourself.”

-Hazel W. Marett

How About You?

Are you learning to feed yourself spiritually? As you learn to read the Bible for yourself, you may not understand every word, but as you keep at it, you’ll understand more and more. The Holy Spirit will teach you. He will also use people—like parents, pastors, or teachers—to answer your questions when you need help. Take time to read God’s Word, and ask for help when you need it.

Today’s Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation. (CSB)

Today’s Key Thought:

Read the Bible for yourself