Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Growing in Grace, Lesson One: Newborn Babes, Desiring the Milk of the Word.

We're so glad you're here.

Where This Course Begins

If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, something wonderful has already happened. The Bible says you have been born again. Jesus said it plainly to a religious leader named Nicodemus:

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." — John 3:3 (KJV)

And the apostle Paul put it this way:

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

But here is something every new believer needs to hear. Being born again is the beginning, not the end. When a baby is born, that child is fully alive and fully part of the family. But nobody expects that baby to stay in the crib forever. Babies are meant to grow.

That's what this course is about. Over six short lessons, we'll look at how a Christian grows: through God's Word, through prayer, through obedience, through fellowship with other believers, and through trusting the Lord in hard times. We'll keep it simple, we'll stay close to the King James Bible, and we'll talk plainly, the way we would if we were sitting with you at the kitchen table.

Our Key Verse

Today's key verse is 1 Peter 2:2.

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" — 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)

Think about a newborn baby for a moment. Anyone who has been around one knows that a hungry baby doesn't hide it. Nobody has to talk a newborn into wanting milk. When that baby is hungry, the whole house knows about it. And that hunger is a good sign. It's a sign of life.

Peter says that is how a child of God should feel about the Word of God. Not a duty we squeeze in when we have time, but a hunger. Something we need.

What "Sincere Milk" Means

In the King James Bible, the word "sincere" here means pure. Unmixed. Not watered down. The sincere milk of the word is God's Word just as He gave it, not mixed with man's opinions and not thinned out to make it easier to swallow.

That's why we keep coming back to the Bible itself. Books and teachers can be helpful, but nothing replaces the Word.

And notice why we drink it: "that ye may grow thereby." The Bible is not just information. It is food. Jesus said:

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." — Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

Bread keeps the body alive. The Word of God feeds the soul. Job understood this. Even in the worst season of his life, he said:

"Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." — Job 23:12 (KJV)

Milk Is Where We Start, Not Where We Stay

The book of Hebrews uses this same picture:

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." — Hebrews 5:13 (KJV)

That isn't an insult. Every grown man and woman started out on milk. The point is that milk is meant to lead somewhere. We begin with the simple, precious truths: God loves you. Christ died for your sins and rose again the third day. You are saved by grace through faith. And then, little by little, we grow stronger and go deeper.

So if you feel like a beginner, don't be discouraged. Nobody understands everything at first. Every strong believer you've ever met started right where you are.

What If I Don't Feel Hungry?

Here's an honest question. What if you don't feel much desire for the Bible right now?

Notice that Peter says "desire." That's an instruction, which means desire is something that can grow. Look at the very next verse:

"If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." — 1 Peter 2:3 (KJV)

Once you've tasted how good and kind the Lord is, you want more. The psalmist said:

"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." — Psalm 34:8 (KJV)

Appetite grows by eating. So start small, and keep coming back to the table.

Simple Steps for This Week

First, pick a time. Morning, lunch, or bedtime. Whatever you can keep.

Second, start small. One chapter a day is plenty. The Gospel of John is a wonderful place to begin.

Third, read slowly. As you read, ask two questions. What does this teach me about God? And is there something here I should do?

Fourth, hide one verse in your heart. Write it on a card and read it through the day.

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." — Psalm 119:11 (KJV)

And fifth, ask God to help you understand. He wants you to know Him.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." — Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

God Will Finish What He Started

Here is the best news of all. Your growth doesn't rest on your shoulders alone. God is at work in you.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" — Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

Growth isn't about being perfect. It's about direction. A little more of the Word, a little more trust, a little more like Jesus, one day at a time.

Next Time

In Lesson Two, we'll look at how to study the Bible for ourselves, from 2 Timothy 2:15.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." — 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

A Prayer

Let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for new life in Jesus Christ.

Thank You that we are Your children, and that You have given us Your Word to help us grow.

Lord, give us a real hunger for the Bible. Where our desire is weak, make it strong. Help us to read, to understand, and to obey.

Finish the good work You have begun in us.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us. We'll see you in Lesson Two.

This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.