What is the milk of the Word and why do believers need to move past it?
The milk of the Word refers to the foundational material found in the four Gospels, which must be left behind for a viable ministry. Believers need to desire the meat, get into strong teaching, especially Paul's letters, so they grow and get off the milk bottle.
Les explains that the milk of the Word is the material in the four Gospels that believers must leave behind. He warns that a viable living ministry will not come from doing all preaching and teaching from the four Gospels. Instead, pastors and teachers must get into Paul's letters. Paul in Hebrews says believers are to desire the meat and get into what is strong, which helps them grow and get off the milk bottle. Les illustrates this with Sunday school children: throw the milk bottle away and start eating T-bone steaks, potatoes, and vegetables; that is what the meat of the Word is about. Peter also writes these little epistles near the end of his life, shortly before he is martyred.