The Joy of Learning

We all have areas we need to grow in. Developing a heart that is eager to learn will help us succeed in the growth process.

“If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it—how shortsighted to refuse correction!”

Proverbs 12:1 (MSG)

“1-2 Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 (MSG)

“7 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. 8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”

Hebrews 5:7-8

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

1 Chronicles 28:9

Becoming a Learner

Everyone has to be taught how to do something at some point in their life. Whether it’s learning how to solve a math problem in elementary school, learning how to play a sport, or learning how to execute the duties in a new job – we all have to be taught how to successfully accomplish something. However, we can forget to apply this mentality to our life as disciples. To be able to grow in our relationship with God and any area of our lives we must love learning – learning truth about ourselves and learning truth about who God is.

Learning new things isn’t always going to be easy – we need to work hard at it and at times we are going to have to face things about ourselves that are hard. Part of learning is having God point out the sins and the areas in our lives that need to change. Instead of getting angry at people or God when these things are pointed out, we can learn to see it as God making us more faithful and knowledgeable.

“5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

Hebrews 12:5-6 (NLT)

God wants us to learn so that we can become stronger as disciples and mature in our faith and understanding. Instead of avoiding discipline, we should run after it! When we learn truth about ourselves it gives us the opportunity to grow in our understanding of God. It allows us to see how much we need Him and how kind, tolerant, and patient He is with us. The more we learn about ourselves and God, the more we can help others to learn.

“Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor, and those who love learning will succeed.”

Proverbs 19:8 (NCV)

Questions/Application

• What do I think about learning? What do I think about discipling? What does God think about learning and discipling?
• What areas of my heart or life do I need to grow in?
• Who could I impact if I learn to change a specific part of my life?

Prayer Idea: Pray about what God wants you to learn and grow in this upcoming year.

Additional Reading

• Hebrews 12