Six Habits for Lifelong Learning and Spiritual Growth

In our journey of lifelong learning, we must cultivate six essential habits of mind and heart: observation, understanding, evaluation, feeling, application, and expression. These habits are not just academic exercises but are vital for living a life that is not in vain. By observing the world and the Word, we gain insights that lead to a deeper understanding of God’s truth. This understanding allows us to evaluate the significance of what we learn, discerning its importance for life and death. Our feelings, when aligned with God’s truth, motivate us to apply His promises and express our faith in tangible ways.

The Bible is our compass, guiding us through the complexities of life. It is crucial to immerse ourselves in Scripture to test all things and hold fast to what is good. However, engaging with the world through liberal arts education enriches our understanding of God’s creation and equips us to live wisely. By studying history, philosophy, and other disciplines, we gain a broader perspective that enhances our ability to communicate and relate to others.

Feelings play a pivotal role in our learning process. They are not mere byproducts but are essential for glorifying God. When we feel appropriately about what we learn, we reflect God’s glory more fully. Our emotions drive our obedience, as the Bible commands us to cultivate feelings like joy, contentment, and zeal. These emotions are not just cabooses at the end of the train but are engines that propel us toward love and good deeds.

In our pursuit of lifelong learning, we must balance the spiritual and the physical. God created us as embodied beings, and our physical well-being impacts our spiritual health. We must steward our bodies well, recognizing their potential for both worship and temptation. By immersing ourselves in the Bible, we remain aware of the body’s glories and pitfalls, allowing us to glorify God in all we do.

Ultimately, our willingness to align our will with God’s enables us to know His truth more deeply. Prayer and immersion in God’s Word are vital for cultivating a heart that is inclined toward obedience. By believing in God’s promises, we are freed from selfishness and fear, empowering us to live out our faith with integrity and impact.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Six Habits of Lifelong Learning: Cultivating habits of observation, understanding, evaluation, feeling, application, and expression is essential for living a life that is not in vain. These habits help us discern God’s truth and apply it in our lives, leading to a deeper relationship with Him. [03:20]
• 2. The Role of the Bible and Liberal Arts: The Bible is our compass, guiding us through life’s complexities. Engaging with the liberal arts enriches our understanding of God’s creation and equips us to live wisely, enabling us to communicate and relate to others effectively. [11:32]
• 3. The Importance of Feelings in Learning: Feelings are not mere byproducts but are essential for glorifying God. They drive our obedience and reflect God’s glory when aligned with His truth. Cultivating appropriate emotions is crucial for living a life that honors God. [29:38]
• 4. Balancing the Spiritual and Physical: God created us as embodied beings, and our physical well-being impacts our spiritual health. By stewarding our bodies well and immersing ourselves in the Bible, we can glorify God in all we do, recognizing the body’s potential for both worship and temptation. [49:54]
• 5. Aligning Our Will with God’s: Our willingness to align our will with God’s enables us to know His truth more deeply. Prayer and immersion in God’s Word are vital for cultivating a heart inclined toward obedience, freeing us from selfishness and fear. [58:10]
  ** [58:10]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Introduction to Lifelong Learning
• [02:00] - Six Habits of Mind and Heart
• [03:20] - Living a Life Not in Vain
• [04:34] - Application Beyond the Bible
• [07:25] - Engaging with the World
• [10:00] - The Role of Liberal Arts
• [11:32] - Understanding the World
• [15:21] - Seeing God’s Glory
• [19:56] - Special and General Revelation
• [25:01] - The Importance of Emotions
• [29:38] - Feelings and Obedience
• [36:22] - Emotional Health and Relationships
• [49:54] - Balancing Spiritual and Physical
• [58:10] - Aligning Will with God’s Truth

1. 1 Corinthians 15:2, 10, 58
2. Romans 12:1-2
3. Psalm 119:36

1. In 1 Corinthians 15:2, 10, and 58, what connections does Paul make between belief, grace, and labor? How do these connections relate to the concept of living a life that is not in vain? [02:20]
2. How does Romans 12:1-2 describe the relationship between our physical bodies and spiritual worship? What does this suggest about the balance between the spiritual and physical aspects of our lives? [50:46]
3. According to Psalm 119:36, what role does the inclination of the heart play in understanding and obeying God's Word? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on aligning our will with God’s? [58:10]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the importance of observation and understanding in both biblical and everyday contexts? [04:49]

1. How does the sermon suggest that feelings are integral to glorifying God? In what ways do feelings drive obedience and reflect God’s glory? [29:38]
2. The sermon discusses the role of liberal arts in understanding God’s creation. How does engaging with disciplines like history and philosophy enhance our ability to communicate and relate to others? [11:32]
3. What does the sermon imply about the dangers of neglecting the physical body in our spiritual journey? How can physical well-being impact spiritual health? [49:54]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between prayer, immersion in God’s Word, and aligning our will with God’s? What are the implications for living a life of integrity and impact? [58:10]

1. Reflect on the six habits of lifelong learning mentioned in the sermon: observation, understanding, evaluation, feeling, application, and expression. Which habit do you find most challenging, and what steps can you take to cultivate it in your daily life? [03:20]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of feelings in our learning process. Identify a recent situation where your emotions either helped or hindered your obedience to God. How can you better align your feelings with God’s truth in the future? [29:38]
3. Consider the balance between spiritual and physical well-being discussed in the sermon. What specific changes can you make to better steward your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit? [49:54]
4. The sermon highlights the role of liberal arts in enriching our understanding of God’s creation. How can you incorporate learning from different disciplines into your spiritual growth? What new subject might you explore this month? [11:32]
5. Prayer and immersion in God’s Word are vital for aligning our will with God’s. What is one specific promise from Scripture that you can meditate on this week to strengthen your faith and reduce fear or selfishness? [58:10]
6. The sermon discusses the importance of expressing our faith in tangible ways. Identify one area in your life where you can more visibly express your faith through actions this week. [04:19]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about living a life that is not in vain. What is one practical step you can take this week to ensure your efforts are aligned with God’s purposes? [03:20]