Learning to Lead
In recent days I have had a recurring conversation with several people that centered around the question of how to increase in their understanding of the Bible. In other words, how can I make my devotional life stronger than it has ever been?
The simplistic answer is this, Read it more! More frequently, more faithfully, and more fully. The truth is that we must LEARN to study it. Let’s consider the word L E A R N
LISTEN to the Word of God. Listening is the key to almost every relationship in life. The more we listen the more we learn and the more we learn to more we love. Luke 8:18 says,
“So, listen carefully, for whoever has will be given more,
but whoever does not have, even what
he thinks he has will be taken from him.”
The first step to being better is to listen but we must also
ENGAGE in the process. We must not listen just to hear, but we must listen to engage or discover a deeper understanding about what we are reading. When I begin to believe that the words on the page are divinely inspired words from God, I will have a longing to hear more and now I will
APPLY what I am reading to the current situation in my life. Remember information without application is frustration. Far too often we are we fill our heads with information that is never used. The Apostle Paul said doing this makes us like a “noisy gong and a clanging cymbal.” I’ve met many people that are educated beyond their intelligence. I must confess many of these are self-proclaimed leaders or teachers. The key to growth is the application of truth. When reading your bible always ask, “how does this verse” apply in my life today which means to
REFLECT on what we have just heard. This means we are earnestly examining what we have read and actively thinking about the changes this is going to begin in my life and finally we will have to
NAVIGATE through the culture of life as a new creation which means to all starts over again.
When we learn to read the bible this way, we will little by little be growing. The Bible says,
“let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” –Gal. 6:9
I think this lesson is applicable for us as we go into the Summit. We must use this same approach with the students. Listen to them, apply what you hear, engage with them, reflect on what you learn and navigate them through the storms they are facing.