Initiate & Demonstrate
When my children were little, they were time intensive. Janell spent a lot of time just making life happen and telling them what to do. When they were infants, even more so. Putting food in the grinder because they can't chew well. Placing them in the high chair, then putting on the tray, then putting the food on the tray. Right up to the moment where you push the spoon in their direction, and they open their mouths to receive it. "Good job!" we say, and we aren't patting ourselves on the back. We are encouraging them to do the one thing necessary to eat. Open your mouth!
Spiritual infants require the same treatment. It may not be for long, but it matters to their survival! As the disciples, we have to initiate and demonstrate for the very young that God puts in our path.
Initiate: In the days after someone comes to Christ, they are excited, but have no understanding how to move forward. The spiritual "spoon" sits on their tray, but they don't have the skill or understanding to pick it up. We must call, set up a time to meet, and open the Word for them. Show them the truth of their recent decision, and cast vision for the next week. Repentance…. Baptism…
Demonstrate: Right away, we need to demonstrate for them fellowship, and explain it's purpose and why it is commanded. Demonstrate their acceptance based on identity. We are brothers and sisters now, accept each other as such though we may not have known each other last week. Tell them about your time with God that morning, and how you are applying it.
Like children, when they leave the infant stage by picking up that spoon for the first time, we celebrate! Even if the pea's end up in their hair, and not their mouth, we are excited to see them take the first steps out of infancy and into childhood.
Spiritual infants require the same treatment. It may not be for long, but it matters to their survival! As the disciples, we have to initiate and demonstrate for the very young that God puts in our path.
Initiate: In the days after someone comes to Christ, they are excited, but have no understanding how to move forward. The spiritual "spoon" sits on their tray, but they don't have the skill or understanding to pick it up. We must call, set up a time to meet, and open the Word for them. Show them the truth of their recent decision, and cast vision for the next week. Repentance…. Baptism…
Demonstrate: Right away, we need to demonstrate for them fellowship, and explain it's purpose and why it is commanded. Demonstrate their acceptance based on identity. We are brothers and sisters now, accept each other as such though we may not have known each other last week. Tell them about your time with God that morning, and how you are applying it.
Like children, when they leave the infant stage by picking up that spoon for the first time, we celebrate! Even if the pea's end up in their hair, and not their mouth, we are excited to see them take the first steps out of infancy and into childhood.
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