Learning from Those Around You

Learning as a lifestyle is not a solitary endeavor. Of course, you can gain much from reading books and listening to teaching, but don’t neglect gleaning wisdom from believers around you.

“A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel” (Proverbs 1:5).

Choose to ask questions. Everyone is an expert on something and has something to teach you. Find out what that something is, and learn from these people. Approach every person as your teacher. Is there someone who is doing something you would like to learn about? Do you like to cook? Who can expand your abilities in this area? Are you thinking of home schooling? Who can you meet with to find out more about what’s involved? Want to find out how to study the Bible? Ask someone who’s passionate about it.

Choose to observe the lives of others. Look around you for models you can follow—or basket-cases to avoid!  Who seems to have their act together? Who seems to be a mess? Who seems to be living a godly life, moving in the direction you want to go? Observe both the good and bad. Take note of both. Then copy the good actions of others, and avoid the bad.

Choose to learn from the experiences of others. It’s been noted that the person who is limited to depending upon his or her own past experiences has relatively little material to work with. Say, for instance, you want to be a writer. Where should you start? You can ask an author or read a writer’s instruction on how they wrote their book. You will hear insight about both what to do, and what not to do. The same goes for your questions about a job change or fun hobby. Just ask someone with experience. It’s never too late to learn.

Choose to learn from God. I will never cease to say it again and again – don’t forget your Bible. The Bible is the best of all books for learning from the experiences of others. We have seen these past weeks through our devotionals on the faithful men and women of the Bible. Most importantly, our relationship with God, and the truth in his word, is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). God himself through the Holy Spirit will guide and counsel you (John 14:26).

Question: What is a topic that you have an unanswered interest in? Who is in your life that might have some answers to those questions?

If you are interested in learning from the experiences of the faith-filled women in God’s word, pick up a copy of my book, Walking with the Women of the Bible.

Read Learning from Those Around You on Elizabeth & Jim George.