When it comes to food and children, opinions abound. When should a baby start to eat solid food? What foods are best to start with? What if they don't let you feed them? These questions may are linked with whether to breastfeed babies or use bottles. I've heard some pretty strong opinions expressed on this subject!
It might be a matter of months or years, but most mothers expect their children to eat solid food and feed themselves by the time they start school.
But what about spiritual food and feeding? When should a Christian believer be expected to take on meatier truths and even feed themselves? Ah, expectations—the fertile ground for disappointments.
It seems we expect more from our children than from adults in churches. At least, that's what I've observed as a pastor, missionary, and disciple maker over the years.
Scripture
We have a lot to explain about this. But since you have become too lazy to pay attention, explaining it to you is hard.
By now you should be teachers. Instead, you still need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food. All those who live on milk lack the experience to talk about what is right. They are still babies.
However, solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14 GW) [Context– Hebrews 5]
Key phrase—
Solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice
Digging Deeper.
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What seems to prevent further explanation of the truth, as seen in this text?
What do you think the author means by "too lazy to pay attention"?
Why are these believers scolded? What is expected of them?
How are "elementary truths" described in comparison to solid food?
Reflection...
Learning anything needs to be a transactional process, especially spiritual truth. It needs to become a personal discovery.
Gaining knowledge without genuine understanding is useless. If that's all you want just search Google or Wiki-pages.
Real learning requires an interactive process of discovery, then applying that understanding in real life. As Jesus told His closest disciples, "If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 17:13 NCV).
Are you a mature, living example for others, or are you struggling to understand God's Word? Maturity comes as we live the truth out in daily life, not just talk about it.
When we "talk the talk, but don't walk the walk," we're like spiritual children, or babies. There comes a point where each believer needs to put what they've learned into action, rather than trying to learn more and more.
If you're ever learning but not strong in your faith, it's time to grow up! (2 Tim 3:7)
Make it personal...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
Who are people that can handle spiritually solid food?
What seems to be the key to becoming a mature believer?
Are you willing and ready to live out the truth in practical ways?
How are you currently practicing truth you've learned in your daily life?
Here's a free introduction for the book of Hebrews— Intro to studying Hebrews