Summary: "How soon will Robby be able to play ball with me?" Sam asked doubtfully as he got in the car after visiting his new baby cousin. "He's awful small." "He's bigger than my dolls, though," observed Sam's younger sister Grace. Dad laughed. "It will take Robby a while to get the hang of baseball," he said. "We need to be patient with babies and give them time to grow." "Did you know it takes human babies longer than almost any animal to grow up?" Mom asked as they headed home. "For example, colts can run just a few hours after they're born." "And remember the puppies Ginger had last year?" added Dad. "Puppies are old enough to leave their mother when they're only six or eight weeks old." Mom nodded. "Human babies need their parents much longer," she said. "I'm glad I can play ball already," said Sam. "But you're not all growed up," Grace told him. "You need to get lots bigger." "Did you know that baby Christians also need time to grow?" Dad asked. "What's a baby Christian?" asked Grace. "Well, a baby is someone who was recently born, and Jesus said we need to be born again," Dad replied. "That happens when we accept Him as Savior. So when you asked Jesus to save you last year, Grace, you were born again. You became a baby Christian, just like Robby is a baby person." "Am I a growed up Christian now?" Sam asked. "Not quite yet," replied Dad. "Baby Christians need to learn many things about God and how to live for Him. They need someone to teach them. That's where Mom and I and your Bible teachers come in--and Pastor James, too." "God has given us the responsibility and privilege of teaching you many things about Him," said Mom with a smile. "You need to listen and learn and grow to be more and more like Jesus." "Okay," agreed Sam. "I'm glad I'm not a baby anymore, and I don't want to stay a baby Christian, either." "Me, neither," said Grace. "I'm gonna listen, too." "Good," said Dad. "Actually, Christians should keep learning and growing more like the Lord Jesus all their lives." How About You? Are you a growing Christian? Do you know more about God now than you did when you were first saved? Do you love Him more and desire to please Him in all you do?You wouldn't want to be a baby human all your life--you want to grow and learn to do many things. Don't be satisfied with remaining a baby Christian, either. Spend time reading God's Word and talking to Him in prayer. Listen and learn from your teachers, pastor, and Christian parents. Be a growing Christian. Today's Key Verse: Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18) Today's Key Thought: Be a growing Christian
