LEARNING TO LEARN

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning – Proverbs 9:9

We are still meditating on learners and learning. A learner is one who receives and applies information or knowledge consistently, conscientiously, courageously and correctly. Today’s scripture text is similar to Proverbs 1:5 – “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” Both verses advocate increased learning. In other words, we are encouraged to learn to learn! One would expect a knowledgeable person to rely on his or her wisdom, and be uninterested in further learning, but that would be foolishness. The truly wise never stops learning.

None of us was born into this world with great knowledge. You become what you are. You learnt or discovered what you now know. All of these take time, attention, diligence, effort, energy and passion. A wise person will never despise an opportunity to learn. A wise person will be a lifetime learner. A foolish person will say, “I know enough, I do not need to hear more”. A wise person is one who is humble enough to receive, and correctly apply current information. Bible examples:

“And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds” (Acts 7:22).

Daniel was a learner. He was a man of the book: “In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books…” (Dan.9:2).

Paul was a learner. He told the Philippians: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do: and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil.4:9). He told Timothy and the church he pastored: “But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (2Tim.3:14). Paul reminded Timothy of “the books, but especially the parchments” (2Tim. 4:13). Only lifelong learners give such priority to books!

God wants you to be a passionate learner, and a lifelong learner, especially of the wonderful Word of God, but also of His wonder-filled world. Assuredly, when you choose to remain a learner for life, you will become wiser, increase in learning, and be a greater Blessing to the Kingdom of Gods and to your world.