Embracing Teachability for Spiritual Growth
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to church. Today, I want to start by celebrating our graduates. Whether you've graduated from middle school, high school, college, or any other program, we honor you. Remember, what seems impossible is not impossible with God. He has brought you this far and will continue to guide you. Let's pray for our graduates, asking God to bless their future endeavors.
Now, let's dive into today's teaching titled "Remaining Teachable." In our world today, many people think they know everything, causing trouble within the body of Christ. At High Ridge Church, we focus on four main areas: knowing God, finding freedom, discovering purpose, and making a difference. Today, I want to emphasize the importance of remaining teachable, which is crucial for our spiritual growth.
Proverbs 12:1 says, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid." This verse highlights the importance of being a disciple, a learner. Solomon, who wrote Proverbs, understood the value of wisdom and remaining teachable. When God asked Solomon what he wanted, he chose wisdom over the defeat of his enemies, knowing that wisdom would make him a great king.
Let's explore four characteristics of being unteachable. First, repeated failures in an area of life can make us unteachable. I shared a story about a man who had been married six times and thought he knew everything about marriage. His repeated failures made him unteachable. Failure isn't fatal, but failure to change is. We need to become learners, disciples, and listen to the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth.
Second, holding onto a defensive posture can make us unteachable. Dr. Gottman identified four factors that cause difficulties in relationships: criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling. These often show up in marriages and other relationships. We need to be open to correction and willing to learn from others.
Third, transferring blame onto others is a sign of being unteachable. In the story of Adam and Eve, neither took responsibility for their actions. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. This blame-shifting prevents growth and keeps us stuck. We must accept responsibility for our actions and seek God's help in changing our attitudes.
Fourth, holding onto pride can make us unteachable. James 4:6 says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Pride blocks God's blessings and keeps us from learning. We need to embrace humility, which is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. Humility allows God's presence to work in our lives.
To remain teachable, we must seek wise counsel. Proverbs 11:14 says, "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisors." Wise counsel aligns with God's Word and helps us navigate life's challenges. I shared examples of how wise counsel from small groups brought breakthroughs in difficult situations.
Finally, I want to encourage everyone to be part of a small group. Growth happens in circles, not just in rows. In small groups, we encourage and learn from each other, becoming stronger disciples. Let's embrace humility, seek wise counsel, and remain teachable, allowing God to work in our lives.
As we close, I want to pray for those who feel burdened or need God's guidance. Don't carry your burdens alone; let our prayer team support you. If you're unsure about your relationship with God, I invite you to pray and accept Jesus into your life. He wants to forgive your sins and guide you. Let's pray together and seek God's blessings.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Remaining Teachable: Proverbs 12:1 emphasizes that loving discipline and correction is essential for gaining knowledge. Solomon, who asked God for wisdom, understood the value of remaining teachable. This attitude is crucial for spiritual growth and avoiding the pitfalls of pride and ignorance. [06:05]
2. Failure Isn't Fatal, But Failure to Change Is: Repeated failures in life can make us unteachable if we don't learn from them. The story of the man with six failed marriages illustrates this point. We must become learners, disciples, and listen to the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth. [11:41]
3. The Dangers of a Defensive Posture: Holding onto a defensive attitude can make us unteachable. Dr. Gottman's research identifies criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling as factors that harm relationships. We need to be open to correction and willing to learn from others to grow spiritually. [13:49]
4. Accepting Responsibility and Avoiding Blame: The story of Adam and Eve shows the dangers of transferring blame. Neither took responsibility for their actions, which prevented growth. Accepting responsibility and seeking God's help in changing our attitudes is essential for spiritual maturity. [19:46]
5. Embracing Humility and Seeking Wise Counsel: James 4:6 teaches that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility allows God's presence to work in our lives. Seeking wise counsel, which aligns with God's Word, helps us navigate life's challenges and remain teachable. [25:19]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [00:47] - Celebrating Graduates
3. [03:25] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
4. [03:56] - Introduction to Remaining Teachable
5. [06:05] - Proverbs 12:1 and the Importance of Discipline
6. [11:41] - Learning from Failures
7. [13:49] - The Dangers of a Defensive Posture
8. [19:46] - Accepting Responsibility and Avoiding Blame
9. [25:19] - Embracing Humility and Seeking Wise Counsel
10. [34:11] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Accept Jesus
11. [38:56] - Encouragement for New Believers
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 12:1 - "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid."
2. James 4:6 - "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
3. Proverbs 11:14 - "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisors."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Proverbs 12:1 say about the relationship between discipline and knowledge?
2. According to James 4:6, what is God's stance towards the proud and the humble?
3. In the sermon, what were the four characteristics of being unteachable mentioned by the pastor? ([09:48])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does loving discipline contribute to gaining knowledge, according to Proverbs 12:1? Why might someone hate correction? ([06:05])
2. What does it mean that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble"? How can this principle affect our daily lives? ([20:52])
3. Why is seeking wise counsel important for remaining teachable, as highlighted in Proverbs 11:14? How can this be applied in a church community? ([27:03])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced repeated failures in an area of your life. How did you respond, and what could you have done differently to remain teachable? ([09:48])
2. Think about a recent situation where you were defensive. How did this affect your ability to learn or grow from the experience? What steps can you take to be more open to correction? ([13:49])
3. Have you ever found yourself transferring blame onto others like Adam and Eve? How did this impact your relationships and personal growth? What can you do to take more responsibility for your actions? ([18:03])
4. In what ways has pride hindered your spiritual growth? How can you practice humility in your daily interactions to allow God's grace to work in your life? ([20:52])
5. Identify a person or group you can seek wise counsel from. How can you ensure that the advice you receive aligns with God's Word? ([27:03])
6. Are you currently part of a small group or community that encourages spiritual growth? If not, what steps can you take to join one and benefit from the mutual support and learning it offers? ([24:15])
7. How can you apply the principle of remaining teachable in your workplace, family, or other areas of your life? What specific actions will you take this week to embrace a teachable attitude? ([06:05])
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Discipline for Knowledge
Proverbs 12:1 emphasizes the importance of loving discipline and correction as essential for gaining knowledge. Solomon, who asked God for wisdom, understood the value of remaining teachable. This attitude is crucial for spiritual growth and avoiding the pitfalls of pride and ignorance. When we embrace discipline, we open ourselves to learning and growing in our faith. Solomon's choice to seek wisdom over the defeat of his enemies shows the profound impact of valuing knowledge and remaining teachable. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and allow His wisdom to guide us in all aspects of life. [06:05]
Proverbs 12:1 (ESV): "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you resist discipline and correction? How can you open yourself to God's wisdom and guidance today?
Day 2: Learn from Failures
Repeated failures in life can make us unteachable if we don't learn from them. The story of the man with six failed marriages illustrates this point. Failure isn't fatal, but failure to change is. We must become learners, disciples, and listen to the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth. When we face repeated failures, it's an opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow. By remaining teachable, we can transform our failures into stepping stones for spiritual growth and maturity. The Holy Spirit is always ready to guide us, but we must be willing to listen and learn from our experiences. [11:41]
Proverbs 24:16 (ESV): "For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity."
Reflection: Think of a recent failure you experienced. What lessons can you learn from it, and how can you apply those lessons to avoid repeating the same mistakes?
Day 3: Be Open to Correction
Holding onto a defensive attitude can make us unteachable. Dr. Gottman's research identifies criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling as factors that harm relationships. We need to be open to correction and willing to learn from others to grow spiritually. When we adopt a defensive posture, we close ourselves off from valuable insights and growth opportunities. By being open to correction, we allow others to speak into our lives and help us become better disciples of Christ. This openness fosters healthier relationships and a deeper connection with God. [13:49]
Proverbs 15:31-32 (ESV): "The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were defensive in a conversation. How could being open to correction have changed the outcome, and how can you practice this openness in future interactions?
Day 4: Accept Responsibility
The story of Adam and Eve shows the dangers of transferring blame. Neither took responsibility for their actions, which prevented growth. Accepting responsibility and seeking God's help in changing our attitudes is essential for spiritual maturity. When we blame others, we hinder our own growth and miss the opportunity to learn and improve. By taking responsibility for our actions, we acknowledge our need for God's grace and guidance. This humility allows us to grow spiritually and become more like Christ in our daily lives. [19:46]
Galatians 6:5 (ESV): "For each will have to bear his own load."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you blamed someone else for a problem. How can you take responsibility for your part in it and seek God's help to change your attitude?
Day 5: Seek Wise Counsel
James 4:6 teaches that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility allows God's presence to work in our lives. Seeking wise counsel, which aligns with God's Word, helps us navigate life's challenges and remain teachable. Wise counsel provides us with different perspectives and insights that we might not see on our own. By surrounding ourselves with godly advisors, we can make better decisions and grow in our faith. Embracing humility and seeking wise counsel are essential steps in remaining teachable and allowing God to work in our lives. [25:19]
Proverbs 19:20 (ESV): "Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future."
Reflection: Who are the wise counselors in your life? How can you seek their advice and guidance in a current challenge you are facing?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "A wise man once said, just be silent, humble, and teachable. If you ever think you know it all, that is the beginning of your troubles. And then here's the second thing to remain teachable. Second thing that will help you to remain teachable. Seeking wise counsel. Seek wise counsel. Seek wise counsel. Marriage, family, friends, children, discipline children, raising children. Seek wise counsel. Business, debt, lack of debt, processes. Seek wise counsel. And Proverbs will be a good guide for you." [27:03]
2. "Humility will keep you teachable. Pride will keep you from being able to be taught anything. Why? Because you think you know all the answers. And if you think you know all the answers, and how dare they speak to me, I know more than they do, I can promise you, I can promise you your faith is, if it's not stagnant already, it's gonna get there quick. It's not the way God wants you to live. The Bible says God opposes the proud. He opposes the proud." [21:27]
3. "Failure isn't fatal. Failure to change might be. How many of you all have ever heard of a baseball player named Babe Ruth? Now, he hadn't been around for a while. For a long time, he had the record for the number of home runs. Anybody remember what it was? It was 714. Two old guys in the house. What you don't remember is that he also had the record for strikeouts. 1,316. What's the point? Failure isn't fatal. But if you don't change your attitudes, it might be." [11:41]
4. "The most successful people in life are those who are teachable. The most successful people are those who are teachable. How many of y'all were here when Max Lucado, Pastor Max Lucado came and spoke? Just give me a wave. He was here, I wanna say it was spring, summer, anyway, it wasn't that long ago. And since that time, we have, I wouldn't say that we're great friends. We talked this last week. We've been communicating. And so, as I was thinking, thinking about an example of someone who is the opposite of defensive, someone who has arrived but still is humble, someone who has great influence but is still able to be influenced, Pastor Max Lucado came to mind." [16:21]
5. "Let me give an example. Adam, what have you done? Did Adam say, oh God, I'm so sorry, I messed up, I sinned, would you please forgive me? No. He started passing blame. The woman you gave me. He blamed horizontal and he blamed vertical. So let's go to Eve. Eve, what happened? The serpent you created. Tempted me. Not my fault. Adam said, not my fault. Eve said, not my fault. What happened after one of their sons killed another one of their sons? Cain, what have you done? He blamed the whole world. You can read it in Genesis chapter three. Nobody took an assumed responsibility." [19:14]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Repeated failures can make you unteachable. Marriage, business, family, sin issues. Listen, friend, failure isn't fatal. Failure to change might be. How many of you all have ever heard of a baseball player named Babe Ruth? Now, he hadn't been around for a while. For a long time, he had the record for the number of home runs. Anybody remember what it was? It was 714. Two old guys in the house. What you don't remember is that he also had the record for strikeouts. 1,316. What's the point? Failure isn't fatal. But if you don't change your attitudes, it might be." [11:41]
2. "Humility will keep you teachable. Pride will keep you from being able to be taught anything. Why? Because you think you know all the answers. And if you think you know all the answers, and how dare they speak to me, I know more than they do, I can promise you, I can promise you your faith is, if it's not stagnant already, it's gonna get there quick. It's not the way God wants you to live. The Bible says God opposes the proud. He opposes the proud." [21:27]
3. "The person who loves you is not the one standing by and watching you walk off a cliff. The person who loves you and wanting to help you is the one asking questions, trying to get into your mindset, trying to find a way to get in to try to help you from walking off of that cliff, figuratively speaking, and making another mistake to turn people in and around your life. That person loves you enough to humble themselves, take a huge risk by asking you a question, by stepping in to try to help the way you're thinking. That person loves you more than the one that's just standing there going, Ole, go ahead. I'm not gonna say anything. Go ahead and just walk into a mess and destroy yourself." [23:15]
4. "Everyone needs community. That's why we promote small groups so much here at High Ridge Church. I'm thankful that you came today to set in rows. Very thankful. And I'm praying that you're learning today and understanding the ways of God. I'm praying that you walk out of here stronger in God than when you walked in. But at the same time, there's growth that takes place, spiritually speaking, when you set in a circle, that happens in a greater way than when you set in rows. Why? Because there's interaction that takes place. You encourage them, they encourage you. You bless them, they bless you. You ask them good questions, they ask you good questions. You give them scriptures to think about, they give you scriptures to think about. And all the while, you're getting stronger and teachable, and you're becoming a stronger disciple." [24:15]
5. "Choosing to embrace humility. Proverbs 22, verse four. The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life. Life. Something God wants. Something God's really interested in is life. He wants you to have eternal life with him in heaven. He wants you to have abundant life as you're walking here on planet Earth. He wants your life to be blessed. But if you choose to live prideful and to not humble yourself, it makes it hard for God to get his life into your life. Requires humility. So when you choose to remain humble, then you get God's life. Listen, friend. Humility is not a downer. Humility is not putting yourself down. Let me say it to you this way. True humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's just thinking of yourself less. And humility is something that God can bless. Why? Because it brings his presence." [25:19]
6. "The question is, is are you teachable? Can you listen and can you learn? The main ingredient for remaining teachable is remaining connected to the Holy Spirit. All right, the second thing that'll hold you back. Holding onto a defensive posture. Holding onto a defensive posture. I want to ask you a question. I want you to think about this. Is there anybody in your life? Who can talk to you about you? Now quite often, too many of us don't have anyone that can talk to us about us. Can talk to you about you. Why? Because we're not teachable. Because we think we know it all. We think we don't make many mistakes. Matter of fact, quite often we can't think of any mistakes we make. And so we've got this mindset of nobody can tell me anything because I'm doing pretty good by myself. Well, friend, that is a difference. You've got to have a defensive posture that will keep you in a place of being unteachable." [13:05]
7. "The most successful people in life are those who are teachable. The most successful people are those who are teachable. How many of y'all were here when Max Lucado, Pastor Max Lucado came and spoke? Just give me a wave. He was here, I wanna say it was spring, summer, anyway, it wasn't that long ago. And since that time, we have, I wouldn't say that we're great friends. We talked this last week. We've been communicating. And so, as I was thinking, thinking about an example of someone who is the opposite of defensive, someone who has arrived but still is humble, someone who has great influence but is still able to be influenced, Pastor Max Lucado came to mind." [16:21]
8. "Let me give an example. Adam, what have you done? Did Adam say, oh God, I'm so sorry, I messed up, I sinned, would you please forgive me? No. He started passing blame. The woman you gave me. He blamed horizontal and he blamed vertical. So let's go to Eve. Eve, what happened? The serpent you created. Tempted me. Not my fault. Adam said, not my fault. Eve said, not my fault. What happened after one of their sons killed another one of their sons? Cain, what have you done? He blamed the whole world. You can read it in Genesis chapter three. Nobody took an assumed responsibility." [19:14]
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