Life-Long Learners

Introduction:

In the world of education, teachers encourage students to become life-long learners. Why? It is because they need to continue to learn if they are going to survive in this world. They will not be successful in life if they quit learning.

For Christians, we must also be life-long learners if we are going to survive in this world and finish the race. Note: II Timothy 3:14-17 Being students of the Bible throughout our earthly time equip us and enable us to be faithful to the end.

The Old Testament example of what a life-long learner looks like is Ezra who was a priest in the lineage of Aaron. (Ezra 7:1-5) He lived during the time when many of the Jews who had been in Babylonian captivity were returning to Jerusalem. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses. (Ezra 7:6) His journey from Babylon to Jerusalem took four months and Ezra realized God’s hand in all these things. (Ezra 7:7-9) Then we see the Bible’s description of Ezra as a student of God’s Word, a life-long learner. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10) Four attributes are listed as being necessary for one to be a capable Bible student.

Body:

I. We Must Prepare Our Hearts for God’s Word

· The need to prepare is seen in John the Baptist preparing the way for Christ. (Matthew 3:1-3) Jesus warned his disciples to always be prepared for His return. (Matthew 24:42-44)

· This preparation involves our hearts. We reason and think with our hearts. (Matthew 9:4) We believe with our hearts. (Romans 10:10) We obey with our hearts. (Romans 6:17) 

II. We Must Study God’s Word

· This means we seek diligently to understand the Scripture. (II Timothy 2:15)

· We must long for it and desire it. (I Peter 2:2, Jeremiah 15:16)

· Some do not approach the Bible properly and are never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. (II Timothy 3:7) This may be because they try and use the Bible to prove their beliefs instead of using the Bible to determine their beliefs. Others believe the Bible is too difficult to understand so they don’t even try or they end up twisting the scriptures. (II Peter 3:15-16)

· Let it never be said of you like it was said of some in Hosea 4:6. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” 

III. We Must Practice God’s Word

· It is not enough to just know we must also do. (Luke 6:46, Matthew 7:21)

· It is the one who hears and does the Word of God that will be saved. (James 1:22-25)

· Terrible consequences await those who reject God’s Word and refuse to obey. (John 12:48) 

IV. We Must Teach God’s Word

· In the home (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Ephesians 6:4)

· One-on-One (Acts 8:30-31, 35)

· Every day and everywhere (Acts 5:42)

· The impact (Psalm 51:12-13)

Conclusion:

Let us all try and do our best at becoming modern-day Ezra’s. 

Bobby Stafford

June 8, 2014