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An Element Often Not Taken Far Enough in the Bible Learning Process

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Bible Learning Process“Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the LORD your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law.” (Deut. 31:12, NASB)

In Deuteronomy 32:12 we see four elements that should be a part of the Bible Learning Process:

1) hear
2) learn
3) fear the Lord
4) observe

We’ve already noted how the process begins with hearing the Word of God, not mere talk. God’s Word is that which is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

But, Deuteronomy 32:12 does not suggest that we merely tack on a verse or two on to what we are saying. Students must “learn” which comes from understanding the meaning of what they are hearing. The word “learn” in this verse goes beyond head knowledge. Included in its definition is the idea of discipline,

training, practice, exercise.

This suggests that students must be given opportunity to work with the content in such a way that they not only intellectually understand it but experience how to apply it. You may have heard this saying:

I hear and I forget
I see and I remember
I do and I understand

If you want students to get to the fourth element, of actually applying the Word to their everyday living, you must make sure they truly learn which comes through active participation in the process. The more students practice what they hear, the more they will truly understand. And, the greater the understanding, the more likely they will be to change as a result.

Is the Bible learning going far enough? Are teachers teaching for changed lives?

Implications:

  1. Choose curriculum that takes students far enough in the process.
  2. Bible teachers must adjust the curriculum, if necessary, to take students far enough in the process.
  3. Bible teachers must actively engage students in the process but in ways that are purposeful to increase understanding of the Word.
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