Listen, Learn, and Grow

Bible Reading: John 3:3; 1 Peter 2:1-3

“How soon will Ryan be able to play ball with me?” Lucas asked as he got in the car after visiting his new baby cousin. “He’s really little.”

“He’s bigger than my dolls though,” observed Lucas’s younger sister, Grace.

Dad laughed. “It will be a while before Ryan will be able to throw a ball around. We need to be patient with babies and give them time to grow.”

“Did you know it takes human babies longer than almost any animal to grow up?” Mom asked as they headed home. “For example, colts can run just a few hours after they’re born.”

“And remember the puppies Ginger had last year?” added Dad. “Puppies are old enough to leave their mother when they’re only six or eight weeks old.”

Mom nodded. “Human babies need their parents much longer.”

“I’m glad I can play ball already,” said Lucas.

“But you’re not all growed up,” Grace told him. “You need to get lots bigger.”

“Did you know that baby Christians also need time to grow?” Dad asked.

“What’s a baby Christian?” asked Grace.

“Well, a baby is someone who was recently born, and Jesus said we need to be born again,” Dad replied. “That means trusting Him to save us and make us new people. So when you trusted Jesus to save you last year, Grace, you were born again. You became a baby Christian, just like Ryan is a baby person.”

“Am I a grown-up Christian now?” Lucas asked.

“Not yet,” replied Dad. “You still need people like me and your mom to teach you about Jesus and what He says in the Bible and to guide you in how to live for Him. In fact, even when we become mature Christians, we still need to keep growing. As we learn more about Jesus through His Word and see Him working in us and in the lives of others, we grow in our relationship with Him.”

“Kind of like how Grandpa knows more about trains than anyone because he’s worked on them and studied them for so long, but he’s always wanting to learn more about them?” asked Lucas.

“Exactly,” said Dad. “Even when we become mature Christians, God is still helping us grow to be more and more like Jesus.” -Rebekah Burkholder

How About You?

Are you a growing Christian? Do you know more about Jesus now than you did when you were first saved? Do you love Him more and desire to follow Him in all you do? You wouldn’t want to be a baby human all your life, and you don’t want to stay a baby Christian either. Keep getting to know Jesus better as you walk with Him through life, and trust Him to help you grow.

Today’s Key Verse:
2 Peter 3:18 Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Be a growing Christian