Disciples Are To Be Learners
Abraham Lincoln’s cousin, Dennis Hanks, said that after Lincoln was 12 years old, he never saw him without a book nearby. He read late at night, while he was eating, at work breaks, whenever he could. Lincoln said his best friend was whoever would give him a book he hadn’t read.
Erasmus, the great Enlightenment thinker who helped prepare the way for the Reformation, spent his money on books. If there was any left over, he spent it on food. Benjamin Franklin also invested virtually all his money into books. Teddy Roosevelt could read several books a day while Eisenhower was such a passionate reader – especially about history – that his mom locked up Ike’s books so he wouldn’t neglect his chores. Eisenhower discovered where she hid the key to the cabinet and, whenever she left the house, he would get a book.
For non-readers who still love to learn, there is the example of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He was not a reader but listened to people carefully then asked questions. He was an auditory learner who got his information from conversations.
The Bible tells us to grow in the knowledge of Christ and to understand the key beliefs of our faith. We are to understand God’s written word, the Bible. All of this requires learning. Whether we are readers or auditory learners, we are to be learners. A disciple is both a follower and a learner. May we be passionate about seeking to grow in the knowledge of God.
Loving trust is more important than mere head knowledge.