Connect Study on Learning for July 13

Learning
The Discipline in Focus How teachable are you? One of the most ignored spiritual disciplines is the discipline of learning. Often we think once we are out of school then we can stop learning (finally!). But does this sound like someone who is training themselves for godliness?

In the Bible one of the characteristics of someone who is wise is a desire to learn. Proverbs 9:9 says, “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will ad to his learning.” If we want to be like Jesus do we have to have college diplomas? No, but if we want to be like Jesus we must be open to learning and be actively seeking to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and a disciple is one who learns.

Proverbs 10:14 says, “Wise men store up knowledge.” Those who are wise are always seeking to learn. They understand that they do not know it all.

Proverbs 18:15 says, “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.” Not only are wise people open to receiving knowledge, they seek it out.

Proverbs 23:12 says, “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” We must train ourselves to apply our hearts to seek wisdom and knowledge.

Mark 12:29-30, “Love the Lord your God with ….all your mind.” Learning is one way that we can love God.

Some Learning Basics
Learning is essential for growing to be like Christ - Romans 12:2 - Whitney states, “Growth in godliness involves a mental renewal that cannot happen without learning. And the alternative to transformation via learning is conformity to the world.” How can we become more like Christ if we are not learning through the Word what Christ is like? If we are not learning then we are not growing. Whitney says it well, “No one is changed by an unread Bible.”
Learning takes place mostly by discipline and not by accident - If you are not intentionally trying to learn all you will get is knowledge by accident and this will mostly be knowledge through TV, radio, magazine or the internet; not through God’s word. 1 Cor. 14:20 says, “Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.”

Respond
1. What new things have you learned about God or yourself in the past month?
2. What are some different ways of learning?
3. What does being teachable look like?
4. Do we have to be learning in order to be growing to be like Christ? Why or why not?
5. Outside of school, what are you learning these days?
6. This next week how can you start applying your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge?