Milk to Meat - Discipleship: The Starting Line of Faith Ep 1

Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on Episode 1 of the Milk to Meat Discipleship Podcast.
Listen to the full podcast on all podcasts platforms (YouTube, Apple, Spotify, iHeart and the Cliffview App)

5-Day Devotional: From Milk to Meat Episode 1

Day 1: The Beginning of the Journey
Reading:** Matthew 28:19-20

**Devotional:**
Salvation is not the finish line—it's the starting line. When Jesus commissioned His disciples to "make disciples of all nations," He wasn't asking for converts who would simply wait for heaven. He was calling for followers who would grow, learn, and help others do the same. Your journey with Christ begins the moment you accept Him, but it doesn't end there. Like a newborn needs milk before solid food, you need foundational truths before deeper theology. Today, thank God for your salvation, but also ask Him to give you a hunger for growth. Discipleship is a marathon, not a sprint. Are you ready to run with endurance?

**Reflection Question:** What does "following Jesus" look like in your daily life right now?

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Day 2: The Call to Study
Reading:** 2 Timothy 2:15

**Devotional:**
Paul urges Timothy to be a worker "who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." This isn't about academic achievement—it's about knowing God intimately through His Word. Many believers love Jesus but struggle to understand what He's truly saying. The disciples themselves often got it wrong, and Jesus patiently corrected them. You don't need to have all the answers today, but you do need to be willing to learn. Set aside time daily to read Scripture—start with one Psalm and one Proverb. Let God's wisdom shape your thinking. Knowledge of God's Word equips you to live faithfully and share truth confidently.

**Reflection Question:** When was the last time you intentionally studied Scripture, not just read it?

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Day 3: Pressing Toward the Goal
**Reading:** Philippians 3:13-14

**Devotional:**
Paul describes the Christian life as a race where we "press on toward the goal." Notice he says "press"—this implies effort, intentionality, and perseverance. Paul wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, planted churches, endured persecution, and still said he was straining forward. If someone of Paul's spiritual maturity kept pursuing growth, how much more should we? Salvation secures your eternity, but discipleship transforms your today. Forget what lies behind—past failures, missed opportunities, yesterday's sins. God's mercies are new every morning. Fix your eyes on Jesus and run your race with purpose. The prize isn't just heaven someday; it's knowing Christ more deeply every day.

**Reflection Question:** What past failures do you need to leave behind to press forward?

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Day 4: Becoming Like Christ
**Reading:** Romans 8:29

**Devotional:**
God's ultimate goal for you is Christlikeness—being "conformed to the image of His Son." This isn't about perfection; it's about transformation. As you walk with Jesus, His character should increasingly become visible in your life: His love, truth, mercy, grace, and holiness. Jesus didn't ignore sin, but He dealt with it in ways that drew people toward repentance and restoration. Becoming like Christ means reflecting His heart in your relationships, work, and daily decisions. It means letting go of "us" and embracing "Him." This transformation doesn't happen overnight—it's the work of a lifetime, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Surrender daily to His work in you.

**Reflection Question:** In what area of your life does Jesus need to do more transforming work?

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Day 5: The Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
**Reading:** Matthew 3:16-17

**Devotional:**
At Jesus' baptism, we see the Trinity in action: Jesus in the water, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the Father's voice from heaven. The Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is one God in three distinct persons. It's a mystery that stretches our understanding, yet it's central to our faith. The Father loves and plans, the Son redeems and reveals, the Spirit empowers and guides. You're not just saved by Jesus; you're adopted by the Father and sealed by the Spirit. This divine community invites you into relationship. As you grow in discipleship, you'll experience each person of the Trinity working in your life, drawing you deeper into the heart of God.

**Reflection Question:** How have you experienced the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your spiritual journey?

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**Weekly Challenge:** This week, commit to reading one Psalm and one Proverb each day. Journal one insight God shows you through these readings. Remember: discipleship is a journey, not a destination. Keep moving from milk to meat!