November 2011: Learning

The theme for November 2011 was Learning. Jesus called his followers “Learners” (or, using another word meaning the same thing “Disciples”). At Cherry Hinton Baptist Church we seek to be Learners. We pray that we will deepen our understanding of Jesus in His human context, so that we can learn to be like Him in ours. In particular we pray that we may learn to stop doing evil (Isaiah 1:1-20), that we may learn about dying (Mark 8:27-38) and that we may find rest for our souls (Matt 11:28-30).

Those who first followed Jesus were called learners (or disciples). Those of us who follow Jesus today are learners.

  • There are some steps in learning which you and I cannot leave out. In particular, we do well to remember that the fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9).
  • It is uncomfortable to remember that we need to learn to stop doing evil and do what is right (Isaiah 1:1-20), something it is so much easier to see the need for in others, rather than ourselves.
  • It is unusual in our culture, but none the less necessary to learn to obey God, so that we may live (Deut 4:1-13).
  • Many good things in life may not come naturally to us – they have to be learnt. It is good to follow the example of Paul (Phil 4:1-12) and others who have “learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”
  • Learning is something which doesn’t stop when we’ve understood (some) of the basics of Christian faith, since we then need to learn to be mature (Heb 5:7-6;12). “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death [of faith, baptism, resurrection, judgment]”
  • Our learning not only continues until our death, but one of the major things that we learn is about dying (Mark 8:27-38), since Jesus says that If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
  • However, when we learn from Jesus (Matt 11:28-30) we find him to be gentle and humble in heart, and we find rest for our souls.