More than Milk

Bible Reading: Hebrews 5:12-14

Morgan sighed and closed her Bible. “I’ve been working on my memory verse, but it’s way too long,” she complained. “I’ll never be able to learn it! I don’t even understand what it means.” She watched her mother put Malachi into a high chair and tie his bib. “Can I feed Malachi?” asked Morgan.

“Sure,” Mom said, and she handed Morgan a spoon. “Can I help you with the verse? What don’t you understand?”

Morgan shrugged and took the spoon. “Okay, baby brother, here we go—open your mouth!” She gave him a spoonful of baby food. “Oh, Malachi, don’t let it drool down your chin!” Malachi kept grinning at her with his mouth full of food, and Morgan laughed. “Well, you sure do make a mess, but at least you’re cute!”

Suddenly Malachi banged his fist right into the bowl of baby food. Then he rubbed his eyes with his grubby little hand.

Morgan sighed and bent over to wipe the floor with a paper napkin. “Oh, Mom, this is gross. It sure was easier to give Malachi a bottle. Why does he have to eat this stuff anyway?”

“Babies need milk, but as they get older, they also need solid food to grow strong,” Mom answered. “I think he’s finished. I’ll get a washcloth and a mop, and we’ll clean up Malachi and the floor.”

After dinner, Mom suggested that Morgan tackle her memory verse again. Morgan groaned. “But I told you, it’s too long and hard!”

“I know it’s more difficult than the shorter verses you’re used to, but I think you’re ready for it,” said Mom. “You’ve been growing in your faith—just like Malachi has been growing physically. And like him, you need more than just milk. It’s time for you to start studying more difficult parts of the Bible that will help you understand more about Jesus as you grow in your relationship with Him.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Morgan smiled as she thought about Malachi eating his dinner. “But it might get messy!”

“That’s okay,” said Mom. “I’ll help you learn your verses and explain parts you don’t understand.”

“Okay.” Morgan flipped open her Bible. “I guess I don’t want to be a baby Christian forever!” – Raelene E. Phillips

How About You?

Are you growing spiritually? The Bible refers to God’s Word as milk and also as solid food. As a growing Christian, you need both. Some parts of the Bible may have been difficult to understand when you first became a Christian, but now they can help you know more about Jesus and how He’s working in your life. Keep going deeper into His Word, and ask others for help with parts you don’t understand.

Today’s Key Verse:
Hebrews 5:14 Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Study the Bible