The Zambian’s ability to memorize large amounts of information amazed me. Give them a detailed outline of the Bible several pages in length or a long list of Bible facts and everyone would make a 100 on their exam. However, memorizing data called rote in the educational process is only the first stage. My challenge came when I began training them in the techniques of lesson and sermon preparation. My amazement over their memorization skills quickly turned into bewilderment. Even though they could still quote the facts they had memorized, they had no concept of how it applied to life and how to incorporate it into a practical lesson. Anyone who has studied the stages of learning knows the process encompasses four steps: rote, understanding, application, and correlation. We find this universal principle of development throughout scripture in relation to spiritual growth.
Salvation or new birth occurs in an instant. One moment you are dead in your sins without Christ and the next you are spiritually alive, forgiven of your sins with the Holy Spirit in your heart. This begins the process of Christian education. Oh, not in a formal classroom setting, it happens in the laboratory of life. Someone aptly said that Christianity is an acquired skill requiring a lifelong process of development. Paul wrote about himself, Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on . . . (Phil 3:12). Christians complete their training when this life ends.
New converts normally begin by reading the Bible and with many memorizing scriptures, which is great. However, that is as far as some get in the process. Like my students, believers then need to understand what they have read and memorized, how it applies to life, and start implementing it until it becomes an integral part of their being. In Jesus’ first parable, He made clear the necessity of not just knowing the Word, but understanding it. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart (Mat 13:19). Understanding is so vital that an angel of the Lord led Philip away from a great revival and directed him to a desert road in Gaza. He found an Ethiopian eunuch sitting in his chariot reading the prophet Isaiah (Act 8:27). Philip approached him and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The eunuch replied, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me (v31)?” Philip sat down next to him and explained the scripture. The result was the eunuch understood and received Christ; Philip baptized him, and this official in charge of all the queen’s treasure became the first convert of Ethiopia.
Once we know and understand, we stand at the most important stage. How do we apply it to our everyday life? We all know people who have sat in church every Sunday for years that know the Bible and even understand it. However, they continue to live a sinful lifestyle because they never apply the Word. Note how the process works. You read Romans 6:11, 12. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts. However, you have no clue what it means. So, you study and listen to a lesson on these verses and you understand what Paul meant. Then you face a temptation, to which you have always been in bondage—lust, drugs, hate, etc. The Holy Spirit brings this scripture to your mind. You understand what it means but you have never experienced victory. But you apply this lesson telling yourself you are dead to this sin and alive in Christ, and refuse to let your old nature reign.
You repeat this process each time you are tempted. As you grow, you realize these verses apply to other areas and connect with other verses. We call this stage correlation. Twice Jesus fed a multitude with a few loaves and fishes. After the second miracle, the disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee with Jesus. They remembered they had forgotten to bring anything to eat and were concerned with what they were going to do. The disciples had not only seen both miracles, they had participated. However, none had correlated this to their current situation. Jesus said, “Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? “Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up” (Mat 16:9, 10)? In other words, why are you not applying the fact I can take care of hungry people into your current need.
One more stage exists in the process of learning which I call second nature. Technically, educators designate it integration. This happens when a biblical principle we know, understand, and have applied in numerous situations has becomes such a part of your life we don’t even think about what to do when we face temptation or difficult situations. It has become automatic.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Christianity isn’t a state of being, it is a life long journey of learning and bringing God’s word into practical daily living.