Prioritizing Lifelong Learning Under Christ's Lordship

Devotional

Day 1: The Noble Character of the Bereans: Eager, Daily Learners

The Bereans were commended in Acts 17 for their noble character, not because of their status or wealth, but because they eagerly received the word, examined the Scriptures daily, and responded in faith. Their example shows that true nobility in God's eyes is found in a teachable spirit and a willingness to test everything by the Word of God. They did not simply accept what was taught to them, but carefully discerned truth from error, making learning and spiritual growth a daily priority. This posture of humility and diligence is what sets apart those who truly grow in Christ and become more like Him. [31:47]

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: What is one area of your life where you can intentionally set aside time today to examine the Scriptures for yourself, rather than relying solely on what others say about God?

Day 2: Humility and Teachability: Following Jesus’ Example

Jesus, though fully divine, modeled humility by submitting Himself to learning and growing in wisdom, knowledge, and stature. He learned from His earthly parents, teachers, and even through suffering, not for His own sake but to show us the way of humility and dependence on the Father. If the perfect Son of God was willing to be taught and to grow, how much more should we, as finite and flawed people, humble ourselves to learn from God and others? True teachability is rooted in humility, acknowledging that we have not arrived and always have more to learn. [25:03]

Luke 2:52 (ESV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Reflection: In what specific relationship or situation do you need to humble yourself today and become more teachable, following Jesus’ example?

Day 3: Examining Everything by God’s Word

The Bereans did not just listen eagerly; they examined the Scriptures to see if what they heard was true. In a world filled with noise, opinions, and influencers, it is vital to test every message, teaching, and idea against the truth of God’s Word. This careful discernment protects us from error and helps us grow in wisdom. It is not enough to be a passive consumer of information; we must actively compare what we hear and see with the Bible, asking how it aligns with God’s truth and how it shapes our hearts and actions. [35:59]

Proverbs 18:2 (ESV)
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Reflection: Think of a message or idea you’ve recently encountered—how can you take time today to examine it in light of Scripture before accepting or acting on it?

Day 4: The Danger of Choosing Entertainment Over Growth

We live in a culture that prioritizes entertainment over education, often at the expense of spiritual growth. Many Christians spend far more time being entertained than being educated in the things of God, leading to spiritual stagnation and a lack of wisdom for life’s challenges. God calls us to be lifelong learners, continually growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Choosing comfort and entertainment over conviction and learning leaves us vulnerable to the world’s influence and keeps us from experiencing the better life Jesus offers. [11:13]

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: What is one form of entertainment you can set aside today to make space for intentional learning or spiritual growth?

Day 5: Stillness Before God: Making Space to Learn and Know Him

Busyness and constant noise can drown out God’s voice and hinder our ability to learn and grow. The psalmist reminds us to “be still, and know that I am God,” highlighting the importance of slowing down and making space for God’s truth to take root in our lives. Stillness is not just about quiet, but about creating intentional moments to listen, reflect, and allow God’s Word to shape us. In a world that values speed and distraction, choosing stillness is a radical act of faith and a necessary step for deepening our knowledge of God. [19:25]

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Reflection: When and where can you carve out a few minutes of stillness today to listen for God’s voice and let His Word shape your heart?

Sermon Summary

In a world filled with constant noise, distractions, and the relentless pursuit of entertainment, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters: growing as lifelong learners under the lordship of Jesus Christ. The call to a “better” life in Christ is not just about moral improvement or outward success, but about cultivating a teachable spirit that seeks wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from God and His Word. This journey of learning is not a one-time event or a season, but a lifelong pursuit that shapes us into the image of Christ and equips us to bring glory to God and good to others.

The story of the Eastern Airlines crash serves as a sobering reminder of how easily we can become consumed by the urgent, the noisy, and the trivial, while neglecting the essential. Just as the pilots lost focus on flying the plane because of a malfunctioning light, we too can become distracted by the alarms and notifications of our culture, missing the deeper call to know and follow God. Our society, and even the church, has shifted from prioritizing education and growth to seeking comfort and entertainment. This shift has led to a decline in Bible reading, spiritual hunger, and the willingness to engage with challenging truths.

Yet, the example of Jesus stands in stark contrast. Though He was fully divine and lacked nothing in knowledge, He humbled Himself to learn, to listen, and to grow in wisdom and stature. He modeled for us the humility required to be taught—not for His own sake, but for ours. If the Son of God could submit Himself to learning from flawed and finite people, how much more should we, in our imperfection, seek to learn from God, His Word, and even from those around us?

The Bereans in Acts 17 exemplify this teachable spirit. They were commended not for their status or abilities, but for their eagerness to listen, their careful examination of the Scriptures, and their willingness to apply what they learned. They remind us that true learning is not passive consumption, but active engagement—listening eagerly, examining carefully, applying immediately, repeating daily, and nurturing others. To be a disciple is to be a learner, and as we learn from Jesus, we become more like Him. The challenge is clear: will we prioritize learning over entertainment, humility over pride, and transformation over mere information?

Key Takeaways

1. The Danger of Noise and Distraction In our culture, the constant barrage of news, social media, and entertainment can easily drown out the voice of God and the call to deeper learning. Like the pilots distracted by a $5 warning light, we risk missing what is truly important when we allow the noise to dominate our attention. The challenge is to intentionally turn down the volume of the world so we can focus on what matters most—knowing and following Christ. [07:38]
2. The Subtle Shift from Education to Entertainment Many have unconsciously prioritized being entertained over being educated, both in the world and within the church. This shift leads to spiritual stagnation, as we invest more time in comfort and amusement than in the pursuit of wisdom and truth. True growth requires a deliberate choice to seek knowledge and understanding, especially through the regular reading and study of God’s Word. [11:13]
3. The Humility of Jesus as Our Model Jesus, though fully God, chose to humble Himself and become a learner, growing in wisdom and obedience for our sake. His willingness to learn from others, even when He had nothing to gain, demonstrates the profound humility required to be truly teachable. If Christ could submit Himself to learning, how much more should we, recognizing our own limitations and need for growth? [25:03]
4. The Berean Approach: Eager Listening and Careful Examination The Bereans were called noble because they listened eagerly to new teaching, but did not accept it blindly. They examined the Scriptures daily to discern truth from error, modeling a balanced approach of openness and discernment. This teaches us to be both receptive and critical, always measuring what we hear against the truth of God’s Word. [33:57]
5. Learning as a Daily, Transformative Practice True learning is not just about acquiring information, but about applying it in ways that change our lives and the lives of others. The Bereans applied what they learned immediately and repeated this process daily, nurturing themselves and those around them. To be a disciple is to be a lifelong learner, continually growing in Christlikeness and equipping others to do the same. [38:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Introduction to the “Better” Series
[03:00] - The Call to a Better Life in Christ
[06:07] - The Eastern Airlines Crash: A Lesson on Distraction
[09:51] - The Noise of Our Culture and Its Impact
[11:13] - The Decline of Learning and Bible Reading
[13:18] - Common Excuses for Not Learning
[14:58] - Five Barriers to Lifelong Learning
[18:21] - The Problem of Busyness and the Need for Stillness
[21:29] - Jesus as the Ultimate Model of Teachability
[23:44] - The Humility of Christ in Learning
[27:59] - The Call to Live as Learners
[29:04] - The Bereans: A Case Study in Teachability
[33:57] - The LEARN Acronym: Five Truths About Learning
[38:23] - Applying and Repeating Learning Daily
[41:15] - The True Meaning of Discipleship
[41:45] - Final Challenge: Prioritizing Learning Over Entertainment

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 made the Bereans “more noble” than those in Thessalonica?
What specific actions did the Bereans take when they heard Paul and Silas teach? (Acts 17:11)
In the sermon, what was the main lesson from the story of the Eastern Airlines crash? [06:07]
How did Jesus model a teachable spirit during His life on earth, according to the sermon? [23:44]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the Bereans were eager to listen but also careful to examine the Scriptures daily? What does this balance teach us about discernment? (Acts 17:11)
The sermon says that Jesus, though fully God, humbled Himself to learn from others. What does this reveal about the kind of humility God values in His followers? [25:03]
The pastor described a shift from valuing education and growth to prioritizing comfort and entertainment, even in the church. What are some possible consequences of this shift for individual believers and for the church as a whole? [11:13]
The Bereans applied what they learned immediately and repeated this process daily. Why is it important that learning leads to action and is repeated regularly? [38:23]

Application Questions

The sermon compared the pilots’ distraction by a $5 warning light to how we can be consumed by the “noise” of our culture. What is one specific “noise” or distraction in your life that keeps you from focusing on God or learning from His Word? What step could you take this week to “turn down the volume” on that distraction? [07:38]
The pastor mentioned that many Christians are reading their Bibles less and less. How often do you personally read the Bible outside of church or small group? What is one practical way you could make Bible reading a more regular part of your daily routine? [13:18]
Jesus humbled Himself to learn, even though He was God. Is there an area in your life where pride or self-sufficiency keeps you from being teachable? What would it look like to approach that area with more humility? [25:03]
The Bereans listened eagerly but also examined carefully. When you hear new teaching or advice (from church, podcasts, social media, etc.), do you tend to accept it quickly or do you check it against Scripture? What is one way you could be more intentional about examining what you hear? [33:57]
The sermon challenged us to prioritize learning over entertainment. Think about your weekly schedule: is there something you could give up or reduce (like TV, social media, or another form of entertainment) to make more space for spiritual growth? What would you be willing to try this week? [19:25]
The Bereans applied what they learned immediately. Can you think of a recent truth or lesson from God’s Word that you haven’t yet put into practice? What is one step you could take to apply it this week? [38:23]
The pastor said, “To be a disciple is to be a learner.” Who is someone in your life you could help nurture or encourage in their own learning and growth in Christ? How could you do that in a practical way this month? [41:15]

Sermon Clips

The moment you think you've arrived spiritually, you've already started to decline. A lot of us think like we do when we're in school. That once we graduate, our studying days are over. But God's word never calls the believer to stop learning and growing. [00:14:46] (18 seconds) #NeverStopGrowing

Be still. And listen, on the heels of being still is what? Help me out. And know. Oh. So the only way I can know God, the only way I can be informed about God, the only way that I can grow in my depth of understanding of God is if I still myself, if I slow myself down, if I carve out a little time for that knowledge to be applied. [00:20:40] (33 seconds) #BeStillAndKnow

He humbled himself. Friends, here's what you need to know. Jesus has said numerous times that he humbled himself. He humbled himself. He humbled himself. Listen, the one way, key way that he humbled himself was to be a learner. And that's how we show our humility. You and I will not listen, nor will we learn from anyone else if we're not humble. To be a student is to say, I don't know it all. I've not fully arrived. There are things that I could learn from someone else. And humility says that if you're filled with arrogance and pride, you have nothing to learn from nobody. [00:24:37] (45 seconds) #HumilityInLearning

If God in flesh, the second person of the Trinity, could do that, and not just with his Father in heaven, but he learned from finite mom and dad. He learned from finite teachers. If perfection could do that with that which is flawed and finite, how much more as flawed and finite people can we listen and learn? How much more should we be dedicating our time and attention to the study of God's truth, both in his word and all over the world? [00:28:00] (32 seconds) #LearnFromTheFlawed

You want to be more noble in this world? Be more open to listening and learning. You want to be more noble in your workplace? Be the person. Be the guy. Be the gal who is more open to listening and learning. You want to be more noble in school? Be the student who is willing to listen more and learn more. [00:31:16] (22 seconds) #NobilityThroughLearning

Friends, can I tell you something? This is lost in our world today. And sadly, it's lost with many of you because you're listening. But the last thing that you ever do is go and take what your podcast person, what your influencer says, and apply God's word to it and say, what I just heard, is it true? Is it right? Is it what I should be meditating? And dwelling on? Or is it garbage that I need to release and let go of? Maybe I need to turn off that podcast. Maybe I need to stop listening to that influencer because I've examined the scriptures and I have found that entertainer or that commentator wanting. [00:34:49] (41 seconds) #TestWhatYouHear

``Did you know, friends, that the word disciple means learner? The word disciple in the Greek literally is to be a learner. And the Bible says this. When a student is fully taught, they will become like their teacher. Friends, what classroom are you in right now? Whose classroom are you in? Are you in the world's classroom? Learning the ways of the world? And as you are fully taught, you become like the world? Or are you following and studying under teacher Jesus? Who is teaching us the way, the truth, and the life? And as we grow and as we learn from him, we become like him. [00:41:10] (46 seconds) #LearnerForOthers

The Bible calls us to be teachable. And what that means is making a priority for educating ourselves in the things of the Lord and every other thing, by the way, instead of simply being entertained. And my prayer is that I will learn that. And my prayer is that you, my dear friends, will learn that as well. Amen. [00:42:01] (21 seconds) #DiscipleMeansLearner

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