In the account in Luke 2 about Jesus at the Temple at age 12, we see how Jesus learned. It's hard to imagine that the omniscient God came to earth and learned, but he did. And look at the pattern that he used. Mary and Joseph found the boy Jesus "in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. " Luke 2:46
John Piper points out the four parts of Jesus' learning style.
1. He sought out good teachers.
2. He listened
3. He asked questions
I encourage each one of us to do those very things. No matter what it is we want to learn, that is the path to use. And if we want to grow in our walk with Jesus we must use that same model. Find people that you respect, listen to them and ask questions. Don't be a passive disciple. Aggressively learn the ways of God. You will be amazed at how far it takes you.
Then in Lk. 2:47 it says that "everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." When you seek out good teachers, listen and ask questions then the fourth thing you can do is speak.
4. Speak
I love this phrase: "Aggressively learn the ways of God." You could have written that one line and it would have kept me grinning all day. Of course, it is a little derivative.;)
ReplyDeleteMy list would look something like this:
1. Seek out good teachers.
2. Listen.
3. Ask questions.
4. ACT on the information in humility.
5. Speak only when directly asked. (Taking after Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words." There are probably some good Orthodox statements out there but I'm not a good enough student. :P)
In other words, and I'll tell everyone this quote until the day I die, "Acquire the Spirit of Peace and a thousand souls around you shall be saved." -- St. Seraphim of Saraov
I knew I had some in my quotes file:
ReplyDeleteA silent man is a son of wisdom, acquiring much knowledge, always acquiring much knowledge.
-- St. John Climacus
Not every quiet man is humble, but every humble man is quiet… The humble man is always at rest, because there is nothing which can agitate or shake his mind… I should say that the humble man is not of this world.
--St. Isaac the Syrian
You need to strive more to be silent. Vacuous people talk a great deal. If you say little, people will listen to your words. When older people speak, hear them out, without interruption. Afterwards, you may respond, politely and meekly.
-- Elder John of Glinsk
The Lord will protect your soul so long as you hold your tongue. Do not say more than necessary; much talking drives away the Holy Spirit. Learning to be silent is a great undertaking. In remaining silent, you emulate our Lord, Who “… answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled…” (Mark 15:5). -- Elder Andronicus of Glinsk
Wow, Ben, those are great
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