A Teachable Heart

A Teachable Heart

Take a moment to look at anything around you. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that you got to know its name or it’s purpose simply because someone taught this to you at some early stage in your life. Interestingly, most of the basics we learnt as children, and then as we grew into adulthood, we may have studied or researched further, to increase our knowledge. So also, our understanding of God, His word and prayer are contributions made by many people right from our childhood. This list of people would include Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Siblings, Teachers, Sunday School Teachers, Pastors, Friends and many others.

In this message we are going to explore the ways in which we as children of God can grow more in the knowledge of God. For this to happen it is vital that we have a teachable heart. Hope this teaching will help us understand the various aspects of being a teachable person.

A teachable person is…

• Humble - Psalm 25:9 - He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. (ESV) Someone said, true humility is being teachable, regardless of how much you know.

• Wise - Proverbs 9:9 - Instruct the wise and they will be even wiser.

• Righteous - Proverbs 9:9 - Teach the righteous and they will learn even more (NLT)

I am sure there may many other qualities that mark a person who is teachable, but I would like to highlight the above three. The basic characteristic of a teachable person is humility. Someone said it this way, “True humility is being teachable, regardless of how much you know.” In other words a person who is not humble, will not be willing to take any kind of teaching from anyone. So also Proverbs 9:9 explains that a wise and righteous person will certainly be teachable, because they understand the value of receiving instructions and gaining knowledge.

As children of God, who teaches us?

1. The Word of God – 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (NLT)

Someone said this aptly, the word of God is useful for teaching (teaches us what is right), for reproof (teaches us what is not right), for correction (teaches us how to get right) and training (teaches us how to stay right). David understood the significance of God’s word when he said in Psalms 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (NLT). God’s word is of paramount importance, as all of our guidance and teaching to live a holy life comes from the word of God.

2. The Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, “When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” (NLT)

John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,

He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

(ESV)

The Holy Spirit of God is our best teacher, counsellor and guide. You may have heard someone say that they could not understand the bible as they read it. The reason is that only the Holy Spirit of God can reveal to us the truths about God. Therefore, only a spiritual person, who has the Holy Spirit indwelling them, can receive these spiritual insights. Also we may have experienced times when we are struggling with sin, temptation or a complicated situation, that the Holy Spirit of God will bring to remembrance the Word of God and give us strength to overcome these trials and temptations. The Holy Spirit of God is that still small voice of God inside us that is constantly prompting us to walk in the ways of God and live a life that is pleasing to God.

3. People of God - Philippians 3:17, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” (ESV)

The church of God is the gathering of believers, where we are called to bless and encourage one another. Paul could boldly tell his fellow-believers that they should imitate him and also keep their eyes on other people who are role models whom they could follow. Look around and you will notice may men and women of God who are living exemplary lives, from whom we can learn. It is important that we should mentor those who are younger to us, but it is also crucial that we have in our lives those older to us who can mentor us as well, if we want to continue to grow in our faith and our knowledge of God.