Growing in Faith: From Milk to Maturity
Summary
Today is a day of celebration and growth. We honor mothers and spiritual mothers, recognizing the nurturing and guidance they provide, and we also celebrate our confirmation students as they take bold steps in their faith journey. Both of these moments point us to the theme of growth—how we move from spiritual infancy to maturity. Just as a child grows from milk to solid food, our faith is meant to develop and deepen over time.
Peter encourages us to crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s word, not just for knowledge, but for transformation and growth. This foundational nourishment is essential for every believer, whether new to faith or seasoned. But we are not meant to stay on milk forever. The author of Hebrews challenges us to move beyond the basics, to mature in our faith so that we can discern good from evil and live out our calling in a complex world.
Spiritual maturity is not about having all the answers, but about being grounded in the gospel and learning to wrestle with the deeper questions of life. It’s about practicing obedience, even when it’s uncomfortable, and being willing to stand apart for the sake of Christ. Growth also means pouring into others—teaching, discipling, and encouraging those around us. This is not a solitary journey; we are surrounded by a community and mentors who walk with us, and above all, God is with us every step of the way.
The invitation is open to all: whether you are just beginning to taste spiritual milk or are ready for solid food, God calls you to come to the table, feed your soul, and grow up in your salvation. Let’s not settle for spiritual snacks when God invites us to a feast. Let’s press on to maturity, reflecting Jesus in our lives and helping others do the same.
Key Takeaways
- Growth in faith mirrors physical growth: just as infants need milk before moving to solid food, our spiritual lives require foundational nourishment before we can handle deeper truths. This process is not something we can accomplish on our own; it is only through Jesus’ sacrifice and the power of the gospel that we can lay aside sin and begin to grow. [28:40]
- True spiritual hunger is marked by a deep desire for God’s word, much like a newborn’s desperate craving for milk. This longing should drive us to seek God’s truth above all else, refusing to let anything stand between us and the nourishment our souls need. [30:52]
- Maturity in faith is demonstrated by the ability to discern good from evil and to obey Christ, even when it’s difficult or unpopular. This kind of discernment is not automatic; it is developed through consistent practice, wrestling with hard questions, and choosing obedience in the face of real-life challenges. [36:48]
- Growing deeper requires intentional habits: developing a daily practice of engaging with scripture, asking probing questions about God’s character and our own lives, and being willing to change and repent. This is not passive reading, but an active wrestling that leads to transformation and deeper understanding. [39:27]
- Spiritual growth is not just for ourselves; it is meant to overflow into the lives of others. Teaching, discipling, and encouraging those around us is both a sign of maturity and a means by which we ourselves continue to grow. We are called to help others take their next steps, so that together we reflect Christ more fully. [43:09]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Honoring Mothers and Spiritual Mothers
[02:10] - Confirmation Sunday and First Steps of Faith
[03:30] - The Theme of Growth
[04:50] - The Journey from Milk to Solid Food
[06:15] - Craving Spiritual Milk (1 Peter)
[08:00] - Laying Aside Sin and the Need for Jesus
[10:00] - Desiring God’s Word Like an Infant
[12:00] - The Foundation of Spiritual Milk
[13:30] - The Challenge of Hebrews: Moving to Solid Food
[15:00] - Spiritual Maturity and Discernment
[17:00] - Real-Life Examples of Choosing Good Over Evil
[19:00] - Three Practices for Growing Deeper
[21:00] - The Power of Teaching and Discipling Others
[23:00] - The Invitation to Grow and God’s Presence
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Growing Up in Faith
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### Bible Reading
1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Hebrews 5:11–14
We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.
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### Observation Questions
1. In 1 Peter 2:1-3, what does Peter say we should crave, and why?
2. According to Hebrews 5:12-14, what is the difference between “milk” and “solid food” in the context of faith?
3. The sermon compared spiritual growth to physical growth. What are some of the “basics” or “foundations” that believers need before moving on to deeper things? ([27:02])
4. What does the author of Hebrews say is a sign of spiritual maturity? ([34:51])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Peter uses the image of a newborn craving milk to describe our relationship with God’s word? What does this say about our spiritual hunger? ([30:52])
2. The author of Hebrews challenges believers to move beyond the basics. What might be some reasons people stay on “spiritual milk” instead of growing into maturity? ([34:51])
3. The sermon mentioned that spiritual maturity is about being able to discern good from evil and obeying Christ, even when it’s hard. Why is this kind of discernment not automatic? ([36:48])
4. How does teaching and discipling others help us grow in our own faith, according to the sermon? ([43:09])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about craving God’s word like a newborn craves milk. What is one thing that gets in the way of you spending time in God’s word, and how can you remove that barrier this week? ([30:52])
2. Are there areas in your life where you feel you’re still on “spiritual milk”? What would it look like for you to take a step toward “solid food” in your faith? ([34:51])
3. The author of Hebrews says maturity is about discerning good from evil. Think of a recent situation where you had to make a hard choice. How did your faith influence your decision? ([36:48])
4. The sermon encouraged us to develop daily habits of wrestling with scripture. What is one question you can ask yourself as you read the Bible this week to help you go deeper? ([39:27])
5. Practicing obedience when it’s uncomfortable was highlighted as a key to growth. Is there an area where you sense God is calling you to obey, even if it’s hard or unpopular? What’s one step you can take? ([40:54])
6. Who is someone in your life you could encourage or disciple this week? What is a practical way you could reach out to them? ([43:09])
7. The sermon reminded us that we don’t grow alone—God is with us, and so is our community. How can you invite someone to walk with you in your faith journey, or how can you support someone else? ([44:18])
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Closing Thought:
Whether you’re just starting out or have been following Jesus for years, God invites you to come to the table, feed your soul, and grow up in your salvation. Let’s not settle for spiritual snacks—let’s press on to maturity together!
Devotional
Day 1: Crave Spiritual Milk to Grow in Salvation
Just as a newborn baby longs for milk, we are called to deeply desire the pure spiritual nourishment found in God’s Word, for it is the foundation of our faith and the starting point for true spiritual growth. This craving is not just about gaining knowledge, but about letting the gospel transform us from the inside out, helping us lay aside sin and begin our journey of growing up in salvation. When we hunger for God’s Word with the same intensity as an infant for milk, nothing else will satisfy us, and we will find ourselves being shaped and strengthened by the truth of Christ’s love and sacrifice. [28:40]
1 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV)
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can increase your desire for God’s Word this week, making it a priority above other distractions?
Day 2: Move from Milk to Solid Food—Pursue Spiritual Maturity
God calls us not to remain spiritual infants, but to grow into maturity by moving beyond the basics of faith and learning to discern good from evil. This means grounding ourselves in the gospel, then pressing forward to wrestle with deeper questions and challenges, trusting God even when life is uncertain or difficult. Spiritual maturity is marked by the ability to distinguish right from wrong and to obey Christ in real-life situations, even when it’s hard or unpopular. [34:51]
Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV)
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God inviting you to move beyond spiritual basics and trust Him with a more mature, obedient faith?
Day 3: Feed Your Soul Daily by Wrestling with God’s Word
Spiritual growth happens when we develop a daily habit of engaging deeply with Scripture—not just reading it, but wrestling with its meaning, asking hard questions, and allowing it to challenge and change us. As you read, consider what the passage reveals about God’s character, what it requires of you, and where you might need to change or repent. God’s Word is alive and powerful, and when you approach it with curiosity and openness, you will find yourself growing deeper in faith and understanding. [39:27]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Reflection: What is one question you can bring to your Bible reading today that will help you dig deeper and apply God’s truth to your life?
Day 4: Practice Obedience When It’s Uncomfortable
True spiritual maturity is forged in moments when obedience to Christ feels uncomfortable or costly. Just as athletes grow stronger by pushing through discomfort, we grow spiritually when we choose to follow Jesus even when it’s hard, unpopular, or goes against the grain of our surroundings. Each act of obedience, especially in challenging situations, strengthens our faith and helps us become more like Christ, training us to discern and choose what is good. [40:54]
James 1:22-25 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Reflection: Where is God prompting you to take a step of obedience today, even if it feels uncomfortable or risky?
Day 5: Grow by Teaching and Discipling Others
One of the most powerful ways to grow spiritually is by helping others grow—whether through teaching, mentoring, encouraging, or simply walking alongside someone in their faith journey. When you invest in others, you not only help them mature, but you also deepen your own understanding and dependence on God. This can look like volunteering, encouraging a friend, or supporting someone in your life group; every act of discipleship multiplies growth and reflects the heart of Jesus. [43:09]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Reflection: Who is one person you can encourage or invest in spiritually this week, and what specific step can you take to support their growth?
Quotes
Both of these moments remind us of something important, and that's growth. [00:27:02]
We can't just wake up one morning and decide, you know what, hey, I'm not going to do this anymore. I'm not going to be, like, be a hypocrite anymore. Right? We can't just pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and get it done. This is why we need Jesus. This is why we need his love. This is why we need his sacrifice and why we need his resurrection. [00:29:48]
We need the gospel because through Jesus, through his sacrifice, he takes those sins away. He takes the cross that was meant for us.And then when we believe in the gospel, then, and only then, can we start to lay aside these sins and these things. [00:30:11]
Peter is saying, we should desire the word like an infant desires the pure milk. Right? We should desire that because there's nothing that's going to get in the way from that baby and the bottle. Right? So there should be nothing that we should let stand between us, between us and the gospel and wanting to desire God's word. [00:31:23]
This is the spiritual milk. This is what lays a foundation. Right? We were all infants once. We all had to drink milk. We all had to have formula. Right? We, this is a foundation. It's something that we just can't gloss over. We can't just overlook that. [00:31:50]
Are you still living on milk when you should be eating solid food? Are you still living on milk when you should be eating solid food? [00:32:51]
He's saying, hey, you need to be grounded in the gospel before you start moving on to some solid foods. [00:34:55]
But solid food is for the mature, those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. [00:35:09]
Once we're grounded in the gospel, once we're kind of like, all right, God, like, I'm ready, I'm ready to start digging into it, that's when we start to get to the solid food. That's when we start to graduate from, you know, formula to rare done steak or tofu, whatever, whatever you decide. [00:35:33]
We start to chew on some harder things. We start to ask God these questions like, how do I trust God when I don't know what's going to happen next? When my career is uncertain, what do I do? Or when my relationships are hard, how do I trust you in those spaces, in those places? [00:35:52]
Solid food is for the mature and you have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. That's spiritual maturity. Deciphering between good and evil and obeying Christ in that moment. That's hard stuff to do. [00:36:23]
We have to be obedient to Christ in a broken world and this is why it's solid food. This is why we need the gospel because without the gospel we can't chew on these harder things because we are freed from the way the world looks at us through the gospel. [00:38:27]
What are you feeding your soul with every day? Are you staying spiritually hungry and trying to be intentional? Are you settling for a snack when God is asking you to feast? Right? God wants you to grow deeper. He is calling you to grow. [00:38:54]
Develop a daily habit of wrestling with God's word.Solid food doesn't just mean reading scripture, but it means digging into it, digging into the context. What does it mean? [00:39:54]
God's word is alive. It's beautiful. And when we read it and we start to ask ourselves these questions, we start to grow a little bit more. [00:40:25]
Practicing obedience when it's uncomfortable.All the way from when I was a freshman in track, I had this track coach. Coachie was her name. And she would always be screaming across the track, across the field, you need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, Trentell. [00:40:51]
Same thing in our faith.We have to practice obedience when it's uncomfortable. And we have to do it consistently. Right? That's how we work out that muscle. That's how we're chewing and digesting that solid food. [00:41:27]
Teach and disciple others. This may be a shameless plug, but honestly, I don't care. One great way to teach and disciple others is volunteering with the middle school and high school students. [00:41:48]
If middle schoolers and high schoolers aren't your thing, which they are, but if they're not, but if they're not, it could be simply just encouraging someone in their faith regularly. Maybe you have that coworker or maybe it's someone in your life group, right? You just text them like, hey, how can I pray for you? Hey, what's God teaching you? [00:42:36]
So growing spiritually is helping others also grow so that every tongue, every nation would bow and know that Jesus is Lord and that he is king. [00:43:15]
Whether if you're just tasting spiritual milk, whether you just accepted Jesus, or maybe you've been at it forever, the invitation is the same. Come to the table, feed your soul, and grow up in your salvation. [00:43:37]
And the last, God is always with you. God is cheering you on. He wants you to grow deeper. He wants you to have that relationship, and he's with you every step of the way when it's easy and when it's hard. God, he's right there with you. [00:44:38]
So let's not just people who stay at the starting line, but people who run the race, press into maturity, and have a face that reflects Jesus. So come to the table. Feed your soul and grow up in your salvation. [00:44:54]
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