OPENING THOUGHT: The principle that to learn something new, one must first unlearn what has been previously assimilated is both a challenging and transformative approach to knowledge acquisition and personal growth. This paradigm suggests that past learning can act as a barrier to understanding new concepts, likened to carrying extra baggage that complicates the learning process. This idea is vividly illustrated through the experience of transitioning from teaching English as a first language to teaching it as a second language in the Middle East. The effectiveness in teaching ESL emerged not just from acquiring new teaching methods, but significantly from unlearning previous approaches to align with the cultural and linguistic context of the Arab world.
By unlearning previously acquired methods of teaching and learning, I was able to adapt effectively to the cultural landscape of the Middle East. This journey opened the door for me to present a paper at the national teachers’ conference, which in turn positioned me to train incoming educators to teach ESL with cultural intelligence and effectiveness. Yet, before I could step fully into that role, God uprooted me and brought me to the United States to serve Him in an entirely different context. Over the next three years, I found myself unlearning many aspects of life once again so I could communicate God’s heart clearly within the American context. Through it all, the biblical foundations, processes and DNA I had embraced remained unchanged—the message stayed the same, even as the methodology had to be transformed.
Applying this concept extends beyond educational settings, into areas such as ministry within 'The Well Church.' New disciples are encouraged to shed previously learned practices to avoid conflicts with the church's mission and cultivate a fresh perspective that aligns with its values and DNA. This process of unlearning is not about dismissing one's background or experiences but about adjusting perspectives to fit new roles effectively.
ILLUSTRATION: After Moses killed the Egyptian, he was thrust into the wilderness—a place where everything he had been trained to be had to be unlearned. He had to lay aside the identity of a prince and embrace the roughness of survival. He had to unlearn the comforts of civilization and take on the life of a nomad. As a fugitive in the desert, he had to release the rhythms of a structured, metropolitan life and adapt to the untamed wild.
When he arrived in Midian, living among the Midianites, he had to unlearn the ways of Egypt and absorb the ways of a foreign people—so deeply that he even married into their community. He had to unlearn the grooming of a future pharaoh and take up the humble work of a shepherd. But the greatest unlearning of all was this: he had to unlearn being a ‘somebody’ and accept becoming a ‘nobody.’
For forty hidden years, Moses had no idea that God was shaping him—teaching him how to live in the desert, how to walk in freedom, and ultimately how to lead an entire nation through that same wilderness for another forty years on their way to the promised land.
However, the concept of unlearning to learn was met with skepticism initially, the rationale behind unlearning becomes clear over time, demonstrating its importance for both personal and collective growth. It underscores the necessity of openness to transformation and adaptation, positioning unlearning not as a loss but as a necessary step towards understanding and applying new knowledge effectively. Hence, to truly absorb the lessons of 'God teaching us His Paths,' it becomes imperative to shed our previous knowledge and understandings. This process of unlearning enables us to fully embrace and allow God's paths to manifest and operate effectively within our lives.
INTRODUCTION: Life’s journey is filled with twists, turns, and unexpected challenges—many of which leave us feeling disoriented or confused. At times, we find ourselves wondering which way to go or how to move forward with clarity and purpose. In Psalm 25:4, David utters not just a plea for direction but a humble request for divine instruction: “Teach me Your paths.”
This short yet rich plea reveals that clarity often comes not through instant answers but through a process of learning. David did not need the whole map. He just needed the next step. He was asking God to become his teacher. From this verse, we learn that God leads us through an ongoing, transformative relationship—one where He lovingly teaches us His truth and His way of life.
When David asked, “Teach me Your paths,” he was acknowledging a need for God’s wisdom and instruction to walk in His will. Today, we will explore how God teaches us His paths and how we can practically walk in them to move from a place of CONFUSION to CLARITY in our lives.
WHAT DOES “TEACH ME YOUR PATHS” MEAN?
Every teacher knows that the greatest obstacle to new learning is not ignorance—it is prior learning. Old frameworks, old assumptions, old habits, old instincts. They cling. They compete. They distort. They resist the new.
David understood this. He wasn’t asking God to add divine lessons on top of human wisdom. He was asking God to replace his ways with God’s ways. To empty him of the familiar so he could be filled with the eternal. To strip away the inherited patterns of culture, fear, pride, and self-reliance so that the Lord could imprint His own nature, His own rhythm, His own vision.
Apparently, this is the essence of discipleship: Unlearning the old so we can embody the new.
To pray “Teach me Your ways” is to say:
• “Undo what life has taught me.”
• “Dismantle what pride has built in me.”
• “Break the patterns that no longer serve Your purpose.”
• “Rewire me according to Your design.”
• “Give me a future that looks like You.”
This is not a prayer for the faint of heart. It is the prayer of someone ready to be remade.
When God teaches His ways, He also reveals His path.
• You will begin to see differently.
• Discern differently.
• Respond differently.
• Hope differently.
• Love differently.
Because His ways always lead you to His future.
HOW DOES GOD TEACH US HIS PATHS?
David’s request reveals that God’s ways are taught, not instantly granted. We grow into understanding through His divine methods and in His timing. Here are three primary ways God teaches us His paths:
1. THROUGH HIS WORD (The Source of Truth) - Psalm 119:105
The first and most concrete way God teaches us is through His revealed Word, the Bible. Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Scripture serves as a guidebook for life, illuminating the path we are to walk.
• It teaches principles for living: how to honor God, love others, seek justice, and reflect His holiness.
• It provides clarity in confusing moments: God’s Word cuts through worldly noise and offers eternal truths rooted in love, justice, and wisdom.
• However, it does not merely lay out rules; it trains us in righteousness and equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• Scriptural Insight: The Bible provides principles for living a life that is pleasing to God, offering guidance on everything from ethics to relationships to finance.
• God's Character Revealed: Through His Word, we learn about God’s nature—His love, justice, mercy, and wisdom—which helps us understand His ways.
When we study God’s Word, we are corrected, strengthened, and shown the path we should take. The more time we spend learning Scripture, the more clarity we gain for navigating life’s challenges.
2. THROUGH HIS SPIRIT (The Inner Teacher) - John 14:26
The Holy Spirit plays an active role in teaching us God’s paths. Jesus promised in 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.”
The Holy Spirit teaches us in a few significant ways:
• Conviction of Truth: At times, the Spirit prompts us or convicts us when we are veering off the path of God’s will. This gentle guidance helps us remain sensitive to Him, recalibrating our hearts to align with God’s desires.
• Clarity in Decision-Making: When we don’t know which way to turn, the Spirit reminds us of God’s Word and speaks wisdom into our everyday lives. He offers insight into the spiritual significance of our choices.
• Comfort and Confirmation: He also comforts us and confirms when we are following God’s will, especially in times of decision.
The Spirit provides discernment and wisdom. When we commit to listening to Him and yielding to His direction, we stop relying on our own understanding and start walking the very paths God has laid before us.
3. THROUGH LIFE EXPERIENCES (The Refining Process) - Proverbs 3:5-6
God’s teaching does not only come from scripture and prayer but also through the experiences He allows in our lives. Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding; in all our ways submit to Him, and He will make our paths straight.
• Challenges and Trials: God often uses trials as a classroom for growth. Difficult seasons teach us perseverance, faith, and reliance on Him. James 1:2-4 reminds us to consider trials with joy, for they refine our character and mature our faith.
• Obedience in Testing: Sometimes, God teaches us as we take steps of faith into the unknown. Obedience, even without full clarity, opens the door for Him to reveal more of His path.
• God's Faithfulness: As we see God's faithfulness in past events, our trust deepens, providing clarity for future decisions.
We may not always recognize it in the moment, but God uses seasons of uncertainty as opportunities to teach us trust, patience, and faithfulness.
MOVING FROM CONFUSION TO CLARITY
When we ask God to "Teach me Your paths," we're seeking more than just knowledge. We're asking for TRANSFORMATION – A SHIFT in how we view and interact with the world around us. This transformation process involves several key shifts:
(A) From Self-Reliance to God-Reliance: Admitting that we don't have all the answers and choosing to depend on God's wisdom marks the beginning of true clarity.
(B) From Worldly Values to Kingdom Values: As we learn God's ways, our priorities and values begin to align more closely with His. This realignment often clarifies decisions and directions.
(C) From Impatience to Trust: Learning to wait on God's timing, even when the path ahead is uncertain, fosters a deeper trust in His plan and timing.
APPLICATION:
1. OBEDIENCE AND FAITH
Learning God’s paths is foundational but walking them requires steps of faith and obedience. Each step taken in obedience to God’s teachings solidifies our learning and clears up confusion.
• Practical Step: Act on what God has been teaching you. If you feel convicted about a specific area, take concrete steps to align more closely with God’s ways, even if it requires making difficult changes.
2. CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH GOD
Prayer is not just for requests or formalities; it is ongoing communication with God that aligns our hearts with His.
• Practical Step: Incorporate prayer throughout your day. Use reminders to pray short prayers of guidance and wisdom in various situations, big or small.
3. APPLY LEARNED TRUTHS
Knowledge of God's ways is not for accumulation; it's for transformation. Purposefully apply what you learn from Scriptures and life's experiences to how you live.
• Practical Step: Identify one area of God's teaching and consciously work on incorporating that lesson into your life. For instance, if you're learning patience, find a practical way to exercise patience each day.
"Teach me Your paths" is more than a request; it is an invitation to relationship, growth, and alignment with God. He teaches us His ways through His Word, His Spirit, and through life itself. As we learn from Him—one step at a time—He shifts us from confusion to clarity, from wandering to purposeful living.
