Embracing Teachability: Transforming Beliefs Through Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating a Teachable Spirit Like the Bereans

The Bereans were commended for their noble, teachable spirit—marked by humility and a hunger for truth. Rather than reacting defensively or passively, they received the message with eagerness, actively engaging with what was taught and examining it against the Scriptures. This posture of humble and hungry teachability is not something we are born with, but a learned virtue that we must pursue intentionally. It means being open to instruction, even when it challenges or corrects us, and valuing truth above comfort or pride. As you consider your own heart, ask: are you more like the Bereans, zealously engaged and thoughtfully listening, or like the Thessalonians, defensive and resistant to instruction? [07:37]

Acts 17:10-12 (ESV)
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

Reflection: When was the last time you received correction or instruction with eagerness rather than defensiveness? What would it look like to approach God’s Word and the people He sends into your life with a teachable, humble, and hungry heart today?

Day 2: The Centrality and Content of Our Beliefs

What we believe—especially about Jesus—shapes the very rails upon which our lives run. The content of our beliefs is not trivial; it determines our actions, our worldview, and even our eternal destiny. Jesus Himself challenged the religious leaders of His day, pointing out that searching the Scriptures is not enough if we miss the One to whom they point. True belief is not mere mental assent but a wholehearted commitment to the truth about Christ. We are called to examine not only what we believe, but why we believe it, and to ensure that our beliefs are rooted in the reality of who Jesus is. [24:05]

John 5:39-40, 46-47 (ESV)
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. … For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

Reflection: What is one core belief you hold about Jesus? Take time today to examine its content—does it align with what Scripture actually says about Him, and how does it shape your daily life?

Day 3: Growing in the Strength and Knowledge of Faith

Belief is not static; it can and should grow stronger as we gain evidence and experience of God’s faithfulness. The more we know Christ, the more central and unshakeable our faith becomes. This growth is not just about accumulating facts, but about deepening our relationship with Jesus so that our knowledge of Him transforms us from the inside out. We are called to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” allowing our convictions to become the foundation for our actions and our hope. [25:25]

2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Reflection: In what ways has your understanding of Jesus grown stronger over time? What is one step you can take today to intentionally grow in your knowledge and experience of Him?

Day 4: Transformation Through the Renewal of the Mind

True transformation in the Christian life happens as our minds are renewed by God’s truth. We are not to be conformed to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed—metamorphosed—by the renewing of our minds. This requires intentional engagement, thoughtful listening, and a willingness to let God’s Word challenge and reshape our deeply held beliefs. Change does not come by passive listening or by sheer willpower, but by actively putting ourselves in places where God’s truth can take root and bear fruit in our lives. [33:12]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one area of your thinking that needs to be renewed by God’s truth? How can you intentionally engage with Scripture this week to allow God to transform your mind in that area?

Day 5: The Power of Plausibility and Entertaining God’s Truth

Change begins when we are willing to entertain the possibility that God’s truth might be true and good—even if it challenges our current beliefs or behaviors. Our “plausibility structure”—the set of ideas we are willing to consider as possibly true—shapes whether we can grow and change. If we refuse to even consider that God’s way is better, we will remain stuck. But if we open ourselves to the possibility, as Paul did on the road to Damascus, God can transform our hearts, our beliefs, and our lives. Who or what we allow to influence us most deeply will determine the direction of our lives and our destiny. [36:46]

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Reflection: Is there a truth from God’s Word that you have resisted considering as truly possible for your life? What would it look like to open your heart and mind to that possibility today, and let it shape your actions?

Sermon Summary

Christianity stands apart from every other faith because Jesus is alive—our hope is not in a dead teacher, but in the risen Christ. This living hope is not just a theological point; it is the foundation for how we approach every aspect of life, including our intellectual and spiritual growth. God meets us exactly where we are, with whatever burdens we carry, and invites us into a deeper apprenticeship to Jesus. One of the most overlooked aspects of discipleship is the life of the mind—loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Teachability, a posture of being both humble and hungry, is a mark of spiritual maturity and a vital part of following Jesus.

The Bereans in Acts 17 model this teachable spirit. Unlike the Thessalonians, who responded to Paul’s teaching with jealousy and defensiveness, the Bereans received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if what they heard was true. Their nobility was not in social status, but in their open-mindedness to truth—a willingness to be taught and to investigate. This is not passive listening, but an active, zealous engagement with God’s word, cross-examining and asking questions, always seeking to align beliefs with the ultimate standard: Scripture.

Belief is not mere mental assent; it is entrusting and committing our whole selves to what we hold true. Our lives run on the rails of our beliefs, often so deeply embedded that we act on them without conscious reflection. The content, strength, and centrality of our beliefs shape our character and destiny. Not all beliefs are equal—some, like the resurrection of Jesus, are so central that if they are removed, our entire worldview collapses. Changing deeply held beliefs is not a matter of willpower, but of intentionally exposing ourselves to truth, experiences, and people that challenge and reshape our plausibility structures—what we are willing to consider as possibly true.

Transformation in Christ requires the renewal of our minds. It is easier to respond emotionally to God than to learn to think rightly about Him, but true discipleship demands both. The example of Paul’s conversion shows how even the most entrenched beliefs can be challenged and changed through encounters with truth and the work of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the question is: Who are we entrusting ourselves to? Whose words and influence shape our beliefs and actions? May we, like the Bereans, cultivate a teachable spirit, zealously engaged with God’s word, allowing it to transform us from the inside out.

Key Takeaways

1. Teachability is a learned virtue and a mark of spiritual maturity. It is not innate, but cultivated through a heart posture that is both humble and hungry for truth. This means actively letting truth in, even when it corrects or challenges us, and resisting the urge to become defensive or dismissive when confronted with new or difficult ideas. [17:10]
2. The content, strength, and centrality of our beliefs profoundly shape our lives. What we believe about God, ourselves, and the world determines not only our actions but our very character and destiny. The more central a belief is, the more it impacts our worldview, and the greater the upheaval if it is challenged or lost. [26:16]
3. True belief is not mere intellectual agreement but a whole-self commitment. The biblical idea of “believing” involves entrusting and committing ourselves entirely to what we hold true, not just acknowledging facts. Our behavior over time reveals what we actually believe, regardless of what we say or want others to think. [20:41]
4. Changing deeply held beliefs is not accomplished by sheer willpower but by intentionally engaging with truth, experiences, and relationships that challenge our assumptions. We can only change what we are willing to consider as possibly true—our plausibility structures must be open to the work of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s word. [36:46]
5. The renewal of the mind is essential to transformation in Christ. Discipleship is not just about feeling rightly toward God but learning to think rightly about Him. This requires zealous engagement with Scripture, thoughtful listening, and a willingness to be challenged, so that our beliefs, and therefore our lives, are continually shaped by the truth. [33:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:05] - The Uniqueness of Our Living Hope
[01:58] - Apprenticeship to Jesus and the Life of the Mind
[03:32] - Teachability: Humble and Hungry
[05:33] - The Bereans: A Model of Teachable Spirit
[06:22] - Noble-Mindedness and Open-Mindedness
[07:37] - Thessalonians vs. Bereans: Contrasting Responses
[11:06] - Eagerness and Engaged Listening
[12:37] - Examining the Scriptures: The Norming Norm
[15:09] - Heart Posture Toward Instruction
[17:10] - Teachability as a Learned Virtue
[18:16] - The Meaning of Belief: Entrusting the Whole Self
[22:49] - Five Aspects of Belief
[26:16] - The Centrality of Belief and Worldview
[31:58] - How Beliefs Change and the Renewal of the Mind
[36:46] - Plausibility Structures and Openness to Change
[48:43] - The Power of Thoughts and Influence
[50:38] - Who Are Your Influencers?
[51:18] - Cultivating a Teachable Spirit

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 17:10-12 (ESV) — > The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

Observation Questions

According to Acts 17:11, what specific actions did the Bereans take when they heard Paul and Silas teach?
How does the passage describe the difference between the Bereans and the Thessalonians in their response to the message?
What does the word “noble” mean in the context of this passage, and how is it connected to being teachable? ([06:22])
What was the result of the Bereans’ approach to receiving and examining the Scriptures?

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon emphasize that teachability is a “learned virtue” and not something we are born with? How does this relate to the Bereans’ example? ([17:10])
The Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily.” What does this say about the role of Scripture in shaping our beliefs and worldview?
The sermon says that belief is not just mental agreement but “entrusting and committing our whole selves” to what we hold true. How does this deeper understanding of belief challenge common ideas about faith? ([18:16])
According to the sermon, how can deeply held beliefs actually change? What role do experiences, relationships, and the Holy Spirit play in this process? ([36:46])

Application Questions

The Bereans were described as “eager” and “zealously engaged” with God’s word. When you hear teaching or read Scripture, do you approach it with eagerness and an open mind, or do you find yourself defensive or dismissive? What would it look like to be more like the Bereans in your daily life? ([11:06])
The sermon challenges us to consider who or what is shaping our beliefs—“Who are your influencers?” Take a moment to honestly assess: whose voices have the most influence on your thinking and actions right now? Where does God’s word fit in that list? ([50:38])
Teachability means letting truth in, even when it corrects or challenges us. Can you think of a recent time when you resisted correction or new ideas? What would it look like to respond with humility and hunger for truth instead? ([17:10])
The content, strength, and centrality of our beliefs shape our character and destiny. Is there a belief about God, yourself, or the world that you realize is central to your life? How has it shaped your actions or decisions recently? ([26:16])
The sermon says that “our behavior, especially over time, is a revealer of what we truly believe.” Is there an area of your life where your actions don’t line up with what you say you believe? What might need to change? ([20:41])
The renewal of the mind is essential for transformation in Christ. What is one practical step you can take this week to intentionally engage your mind with God’s truth—whether through Scripture, conversation, or another way? ([33:12])
The sermon talks about “plausibility structures”—the set of ideas we are willing to consider as possibly true. Are there areas where you have closed yourself off to God’s truth because it feels too challenging or uncomfortable? What would it look like to open yourself up to the Holy Spirit’s work in those areas? ([36:46])

Sermon Clips

``I'm struck by many of the differences between Christianity and the other faith systems out there, especially the major ones. Like last I checked, Muhammad is still dead, yes? Still dead. Confucius? Still dead. Yeah. Jesus? Like the tomb is empty, right? Our living hope. That's one of the many key differences between Christianity and everything else. So that song always, I don't know, does something in me. Kind of refreshes, kind of renews. [00:00:25] (48 seconds) #LivingHopeDifference

So whatever you brought with you today, God knows. And He is ready. He's willing. He's available to meet you where you're at. You know what that is? You know what that's called? That's good news. That's good news. [00:01:37] (17 seconds) #GoodNewsReady

I submit to you that teachability, you're going to be hearing that word a fair amount in the sermon today, teachability is a mark of spiritual maturity. Let's call it, let's call teachability a heart posture of humble and hungry. A heart posture of humble and hungry. [00:03:17] (28 seconds) #TeachabilityMaturity

I just happen to think truth matters. Jesus thinks truth matters. And if I'm an apprentice to Jesus, then maybe, just maybe, truth ought to matter to me. [00:13:11] (19 seconds) #TruthMattersToJesus

Teachability. Think about it. The second part of that word, ability. Teachability is a learned virtue, something we ought to pursue, something we ought to aspire to. Teachability, like the Bereans, like you don't, we don't come from the womb like with a teachable spirit. It is a learned virtue. It's a heart posture of actively letting the truth in, receiving it, even if, even when. It corrects, it convicts, it challenges. [00:17:21] (46 seconds) #TeachabilityIsLearned

At the risk of stating the obvious, what we believe actually matters. The actual content, for example, of what we believe about God, morality, politics, life after death, and so on, will shape the contours of our lives. In fact, don't miss this, the very content of our beliefs, so important that according to Scripture, our eternal destiny is greatly determined by the content of our beliefs about Jesus Christ. That's how fundamental. [00:22:49] (50 seconds) #BeliefsDetermineDestiny

Remember, church, teachability is a learned virtue. It is a heart posture of zealous engagement, thoughtful listening, actively receiving the truth. Even when, maybe especially when, it convicts and it challenges. [00:51:49] (25 seconds) #ZealousTeachability

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?