What I want to pass on to you today is the importance of being a continual learner, no matter how old you are or how long you have been a Christian. This will help us have spiritual fervor, excitement and a soft heart toward God and others.
Introduction: My name is Jeanie Shaw. I became a disciple as a teenager 42 years ago. My father was an elder in the church in
Continually Learn
It’s a great privilege to listen to some of our “older women” - those who have raised their children and are now “empty nesters”. They each have so much to teach us.
2 Timothy 3:10
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,…
The women teaching these series of classes are exemplary in the above areas.
What I want to pass on to you today is the importance of being a continual learner, no matter how old you are or how long you have been a Christian. This will help us have spiritual fervor, excitement and a soft heart toward God and others.
What makes a woman wise?
Isaiah 50:4-5
The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears,
and I have not been rebellious;
I have not drawn back.
A wise woman is one who is a continual learner.
1. Why do I need to be a learner?
- To not be rebellious toward God (Isaiah 50:5)
- To find rest for my soul (Matthew 11:29)
- To press on toward the goal (Philippians 3:10-15)
- To pass on important truths to others (1 Timothy 2:2)
2. From whom do I need to learn? (just a sampling of many scriptures)
- Jesus, his life and his indwelling
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- The Word, Hearing the word taught, reading the word
Deut. 31:12-13
Assemble the people--men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns--so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the
Deut. 17:19
It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees
2 Tim. 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
- People, Seeing Godliness lived out in others
1 Corinthians 4:17
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
2 Tim. 3:10
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,
1 Cor. 4:17
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
- Life situations
Hebrews 5:7-9
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
3. What does it take to be a continual learner?
- Conviction that I need to learn, grow….
Proverbs 9:9
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
2 Peter 1:5-9
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Are we “all set”? or comfortable where we are?…or do we have convictions that God really expects us to keep learning?
- Humility – to be able to learn from others
1 Tim. 2:11
A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.
Hebrews 5:11
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.
2 Tim. 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (must listen to what others say)
What does humility look like? Careful listening, watching, eagerness to be taught, instructed and corrected, seeking input and advice, not being defensive but open and vulnerable with marriage, children, and life…
- Awareness, alertness – learning on purpose…learning from good and bad things that happen
Genesis 24:21
Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.
Psalm 119:71
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees
Matthew 24:32
Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
One of most valuable things to me has been to write lists of what I have learned from people…
When I’m looking to be trained in ministry
In speaking
In Bible study
In building friendships
In helping others grow
In evangelism
Marriage, parenting, etc, etc.
Even in things like cooking, keeping a house,…
We also learn from the shortcomings and sins of others - when in situations with others where feel have been treated unfairly or unkindly – we can decide to learn anyway, to learn how to love unconditionally, to learn how to forgive, learn how to speak up and be honest, …
- A decision to put what goes into my head into action
Philip. 4:9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Proverbs 22:17
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach.
For an index to the Legacies of Faith lessons, see the introduction.
