When going through hard times people sometimes say things they don’t really mean. They might express questions or doubts as they seek to process what’s happening. Their feelings and opinions may be skewed by a faulty interpretation of events or hurt feelings. They may have an emotional reaction rather than a thought-through theological response.
Bible teachers, are you able to listen without judging? Do you give their thoughts and feelings some plausibility? Even if their assessment is wrong, how they feel is how they feel. What they think is what they think. When you truly listen, you’re saying “I care” and “you matter” not necessarily “I agree”.
How Bible Teachers Can Be Listeners Who Communicate Value
Whether someone is sharing in the classroom setting or informally, one-on-one, to truly listen will involve the following:
- Listen without bias or judgment.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19-20)
- Listen without formulating how you’re going to respond.
To answer before listening – that is folly and shame. (Prov. 18:13)
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. (Prov. 18:2)
- Listen with the intent of gaining an accurate understanding.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. (Prov. 18:15)
Sometimes people just need to talk, to share their concerns with someone who cares and therefore genuinely listens. As they talk, hearing their own thoughts aloud, they might catch their own inconsistencies and it may be unnecessary for you to correct or challenge them. And, if they don’t, you’ll be in a much better position to help provide the perspective they need because you truly understand what’s needed and they feel like you care enough for them to let you speak into their lives.
In addition to what you read in this post, the Bible Teachers’ Many Roles in Times of Trouble asks some questions to get you thinking about how well you listen, and it also includes an acrostic using the word LISTEN to help you better understand why truly listening matters so much. Then it looks at the experience of Job and his friends’ failure to listen to see the seriousness of not listening and consequently misinterpreting people’s trouble.