Am I Teachable?

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters

Tags: #americaskeswick #freedomfighters #learning #christiandevotional #teaching

If you refuse to learn, you are hurting yourself. If you accept correction, you will become wiser. Proverbs 15:32

There are a lot of cool things about being above 60. One of them is this: the older I get, the more I realize how little I really know. I am still learning. In fact, someone once said that the moment you stop learning – it’s over.
You’ve probably met them – they have all the answers. They have the corner on every bit of knowledge, and they even let you know it.
I want to be a life-long learner, especially about spiritual truth. I am finding that even at this age, there are insights, principles, and precepts that I have totally missed, and if I open my heart and ask the Holy Spirit to teach me – He will do it. That’s part of His role in the life of the believer.
Pastor Marty Williams shared 12 Ways To Know That You Are Teachable:

1. I am willing to listen more than talk. Know-it-alls tend to do all the talking and do very little listening. Because they are always flapping their jaws, they often miss what is really being said.
2. I admit when I am mistaken. Wow! Hard to do for the average male. Have you ever blown it with your kids? Your spouse? Your co-workers?
   Have you gone back to them to ask forgiveness because you blew it?
3. I observe before acting on a situation.
4. I am able to agree to disagree. This is very hard for so many of us. I am right – you are wrong. There are many instances where that is true. But if I am really honest, there are some things that are my preferences and convictions, and I need to be willing to be able to yield and even lovingly disagree.
5. I desire information more than answers. Wow. I blew it several times last week when I shot my mouth off BEFORE I had all the information. Proverbs talk about checking out a matter before spouting off. Check out Proverbs 18:13.
6. I enjoy asking questions. It is amazing what you can learn by asking questions!!! And that is true on any subject. I have a list of 40 questions that I often refer to before making a major decision.
7. I am open to suggestions and new ideas. When we hit 50, we start the process of being stuck in our ways. What I love about serving with younger people is that so often they think differently and I find myself learning from them, and in doing so, becoming more effective.
8. I feel comfortable asking for advice or directions. Why ask directions!?! That is unmanly. And speaking of directions – how many times have you put something together having never read the directions only to find out that what you put together doesn’t work and you end up with 10 leftover ‘I wonder if they were important’ pieces? 🙂
9. I am a patient and willing “student.” The older we get, the less patient we become. I fight this all the time. But if we are going to be good learners, we need to be patient and willing.
10. I enjoy reading for information that is practical and applicable. Some of us don’t think there is any value in reading. Really? John C. Maxwell often says, “Leaders are readers.” Don’t like to read? How about using an audiobook? You don’t even have to make purchases. Most libraries give you the ability to check out books and audio-books online.
11. I seek out new perspectives on the questions of life.
    
12. I can appreciate criticism without being deeply wounded. Read through the book of Proverbs and underscore how many times it deals with this area.

So how about you? Are you teachable?
Overwhelmed with Hope,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
The Daily Bible Reading: Job 40-42| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, remember that the teacher is always quiet during the test.

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24