Merriam-Webster.com defines teachable as apt and willing to learn.
If you were to make a list of everything you enjoyed learning from childhood to the present day, what would you include?
What would you list as things you didn’t enjoy learning?
Which list is longer for you?
Did you include things outside of formal school subjects?
In Matthew 11:25 and Luke 10:21, Jesus thanks the Lord of heaven and earth for hiding things from the wise and understanding while revealing them to little children.
What does this have to do with being teachable?
How Teachable Are You? | Comparison with other Verses
Compare the following verses along with Matthew 11:25.
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;[1]
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.[2]
22 For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. [3]
What is common among these three passages? Review the context these verses come from to aid your thoughts.
How is teachability a theme in them?
Do you consider being teachable an important life skill? Why or why not?
What do these verses say about how Jesus views the importance of teachability?
How Teachable Are You? | Life Application
Many of us would agree that learning is fun when we find a particular subject fascinating.
But when the subject is hard, unpleasant, or unexpected, some of us shut down and refuse to learn.
Look back at your list of things you didn’t enjoy learning throughout your lifetime.
Is there anything on that list you wish you had made a stronger effort to learn?
How would your life be different today if you had?
In the last month, have you learned anything new about God or yourself? Describe how this came about.
How Teachable Are You? | A Prayer for Teachability
Heavenly Father, reveal to us your kingdom will on earth just as it is in heaven.
Grant us eyes to see and ears to hear as little children, eager to learn what You desire to teach us.
Keep us from the temptation to think we no longer need to depend on You as our most important Teacher.
Draw us into Your Holy Word to nourish our relationship with You.
Help us encourage others along their faith journey by sharing the new things we are learning in ours.
Amen
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 11:25.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 5:39–40.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 4:22–24.