School

<<place of learning>>

From the beginning of time people have been learning and in need of teaching in some form. In OT times there were schools of prophets and children were ‘apprenticed’ to service in the temple (1 Sam 1:22,28). Jesus ‘schooled’ His disciples as they went from place to place. Paul was trained by Gamaliel and spent time in the lecture hall of Tyrannus at Ephesus (Act 22:3; 19:9).

View any school or learning environment not just as a place of instruction but also of preparation – you never know when the ‘lesson’ will become applicable. Do not just settle for head knowledge, progress beyond the theory into reality, gaining wisdom through practical, hands-on experience. We learn so much by doing. Don’t just learn what the

All of life is a classroom – learn your lessons well

average person learns – that will just make you average – instead extend yourself. Also, don’t stop learning and gaining information when your formal education ends, rather continue to expand your understanding and knowledge, keeping abreast of developments through the various avenues of learning available. The informal education one receives by learning from one's experiences, both good and bad, rather than a formal educational institution is termed the school of life.

God gives each of us a brain to use, so be interested to explore and ask questions in all the various opportunities life presents. As Christians, we should be well-informed in current affairs and general practical knowledge so we can interact competently with non-believers, while we are to be ignorant of evil (1 Cor 14:20). Knowledge is power and enables us to be proficient workers. Ignorance and poverty go hand-in-hand for “People are destroyed through a lack of knowledge” (Hos 4:6).

We are to be conformed to the image of Christ and grow in our knowledge of Him (Rom 8:29; 2 Pet 3:18). This is not just an intellectual, academic understanding, but, more importantly, an intimate heart relationship, from which we apply the insights gained to our own lives, share them with other Christians and discuss them with non-Christians, as appropriate. Use any opportunities you get to know Him better.