1 of 1

Jews who had become Christians in the first century were tempted, because of ostracism and persecution, to revert to Judaism. The author of Hebrews reviews for them the powerful reasons that led them to choose Christ in the first place. But he also warns that if they don't keep growing, their faith will atrophy and could well give way.

Hebrews 5:12-6:1

1. For how long have you been a Christian?
2. What are basics a "beginner" Christian needs to learn?
3. Does going on to maturity involve moving away from these basics, or beyond them to a more complete understanding?
4. What (5:13) is the sign that a person is still a baby Christian?
5. What (5:14) are the marks of a grown-up believer?
6. Can you recognize temptation before it traps you?
7. Can you tell the difference between a correct and a twisted use of Scripture?
8. Is becoming mature (6:1) primarily an intellectual process? Or is capacity to understand expanded by applying lessons already learned?
9. How can mature Christians teach new Christians the basics? How can they model growing maturity?

Ask God for the motivation, discipline, and perseverance to keep growing in your discipleship.

12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

 1 of 1

share this page

Prayer for the Week

Don't let me plateau in my spiritual development, Lord. Keep me growing and make me fruitful.

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter (All fields required)    RSS Feed   RSS Help